Arisaka (2021) User Reviews

A could've been thrilling experience

[sliceemdown · 6/10 · 14 December 2021]

Mikhail Red's offering in Arisaka can be chalked up as an almost cooked thriller that revels more in its chattiness and pacing issues and less in its potential. It's a piece that wants you to be invested in its gritty atmosphere and historical roots but somehow misses its mark some 30 minutes into the flick.

My main beef with its narrative is the failed use of characters. The main villain, played by Mon Confiado, could've been this cold, stoic assassin. Instead, he's the talkative sort-a trait that cost him and his "cop friends" better dynamics and more interesting scenes.

Speaking of his conspiring police buds, their air time was mostly wasted listening to the "I have a point, trust me" stories of Mon's character. I mean, they could've split up and hunted Mariano (the lead character played by Maja Salvador), but instead, they took in the forest ambiance a bit too much and let the convenience of the movie's direction carry them along.

It's good, however, that Maja Salvador played her part really well. Between her and Mon, she had the more believable scenes (although I think the cheesiness of Mon's script was to blame here). After seeing her role here, I can see her as a badass Eveline Salt but more grounded.

I also want to commend the people behind Arisaka's visual effects. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that they did a fantastic job with the eye-candy (although bloody) in the latter half of the movie.

In the end, Arisaka could have been so much more. It had its glimpses of greatness-from the superb acting of Maja to the grittiness and moodiness of certain scenes-but ultimately, the movie's ambition wasn't fully realized. Its elements, particularly the should-be thrilling ones, didn't come together for me when all was said and done.

Her Will to Survival

[3xHCCH · 8/10 · 9 December 2021]

A key witness was being brought to a venue where he was about to expose critical "narco-list" information to the press. Midway on his route, his car was ambushed by a group of crooked cops who shot the target and all his police escorts. Fortunately, policewoman Mariano (Maja Salvador) had survived the bloody encounter. Despite her injuries, she ran into the surrounding mountains to escape from her pursuers led by officer Sonny (Mon Confiado).

Mariano's survival ordeal in the wilderness was alleviated by the appearance of a young indigenous girl named Nawi (Shella Ann Romualdo), who nursed her back to health with the help of her family's traditional cures. Sonny and his minions remained hot at her heels, stopping at nothing until she was exterminated. Meanwhile Mariano braced for an inevitable showdown, getting some assistance from an unexpected source.

For historical relevance, director Mikhail Red juxtaposed Mariano's struggle to survival to the Bataan Death March which transpired on the same area where the fateful ambush took place. The first scene had a cop relating the story about how his grandfather survived the Death March already foreshadowing the events to come. The Arisaka in the title referred to the Japanese military service rifle in use during World War 2.

Star Maja Salvador rallied us to root her on -- no matter how her repeated narrow escapes from death were practically superhuman. Hit by bullets, stabbed by a knife in the abdomen, punched on the face, asphyxiated by strangling -- absolutely nothing fazed her will to survive. Salvador obviously had to go through difficult shoots for this demanding role, which required her to fall onto concrete, rough brush, rocks, and going mano-a-mano with a man.

Just when you thought Mon Confiado could not get any more despicable as a villain, here he is again playing another devil incarnate. The big revelation here was young Shella Ann Romualdo (first seen in short film "Black Rainbow" earlier this year) as the brave Nawi, whose youthful idealism would get seriously challenged. Martin Melecia, who played Nawi's father, imparted indigenous wisdom and frustrations to his daughter and to us, as well.

From the very first scene, you immediately know that this is not by any means a low budget film. The ethereal quality of Mycko David's cinematography was extraordinary, and that was just in the opening credits at that point. Throughout the film, we will be treated to more shots and images taken from breathtaking angles with perfect blocking of characters, working well in dim light or with flames, for best cinematic effect.

Great film

[CuddlyAsAPanda · 10/10 · 13 December 2021]

The first Phillipino film I've seen and one of the best films I've ever seen. A gripping story with great music and fascinating themes such as rampant police corruption, indigenous rights, and WW2 history.

Loved it

[tokyo3-156-554652 · 8/10 · 13 May 2023]

Reminiscent of the Hong Kong action movies of the 80s and 90s, although the gunfights aren't as "balletic". Incredible cinematography. Every scene looks amazing. Well acted all around, even if the characters are a bit one dimensional, they are still characters you will love and love to hate. I did have some issues with it but in face of how good it is, I can easily overlook those issues. Great effects (though they are graphic). Guessing it had a sizable budget. Hope to see more of Shella Mae Romualdo in the future. Fell in love with her right away. It was great to indigenous Filipino representation.

Excellent thriller ...

[thom-gillespie · 8/10 · 3 January 2022]

I came in with no expectations other than it seemed to be a Philippine film which made my expectations low going in and anticipating a quick click off but Arisaka takes off from the git-go, tension build and then all hell breaks out. This is an exceptional film. Good dialog, strong acting and great film work.

Maja Salvador is one hell of an actor. Imagine a female Jack Reacher from Makati? Subtitled but with a combination Pigeon English and Tagalog I imagine, which meant I could easily read the scenes without the subtitles.

Absolutely loved Arisaka.

A little to straightforward to be so brooding

[breadandhammers · 7 May 2022]

Arisaka is shot beautifully, showcasing the haunting beauty of the Filipino landscape, and juxtaposing modern cops against the haunted forest from WWII times. I was very captivated by the beginning of the film, where our main character, a young Filipino police woman, is ambushed and left for dead. I felt like the rest of the film plays a little too straightforwardly. I got the sense that I was watching something very popcorn-y - almost like a video game movie - but shot in a very high prestige style. This made it feel a little too unbalanced. I feel like this could have been a great action film, but was held back by trying to be "high prestige".