"Magandang Hatinggabi" is one of the few truly good horror-comedies from the Philippines. It is quirky, fun, and campy, and still stands the test of time even after almost thirty years from its release.
The movie stars an ensemble cast top billed by Nonie Buencamino in an almost unrecognizable role as the store owner and storyteller. Buencamino weaves two ghoulish tales for a group of teenaged backpackers, led by 90s heartthrobs Marvin Agustin and Diether Ocampo. The backpackers are lost during a road trip when they came across a shady-looking store. There, they find the store owner, who tells them two stories-the first about a haunted vehicle and the second about a woman with a secret.
"Magandang Hatinggabi" has good performances all around. Some of the supporting characters may be annoying, especially in the first story. But all-throughout, most of the characters are memorable and sympathetic, especially Angelika Dela Cruz and Jaclyn Jose. The makeup and special effects are surprisingly good for a 90s movie, which proves that Filipino films can be excellent in capable hands.
The storyline is well-written and fast-paced, offering no room for boredom. Although, some dialogues are awkward in the first part, the rest of the movie makes up for these lapses. Another strong point of the movie is its cinematography. Director Laurenti Dyogi has made interesting choices particularly in framing most scenes, effectively immersing the audience into the world of the characters.
Overall, "Magandang Hatinggabi" ranks among the best Filipino films that have come out from the 90s. It stands the test of time and will always be a cool fun flick to watch more than once with the family.
