Movie Review: Magikland

On Christmas Eve, four lonely kids are chosen to save Magikland, a fantastic and magical place where all the world’s toys and games come from.   These game winners are transported into this mystical land where the game takes place.

The film’s themes are rooted in age old Negros myths, which is why the heroes’ names pay homage to the local landscape:  Boy Bakunawa, Mara Marapara, Pat Patag, and Kit Kanlaon.  

They go on a quest to try and save Magikland from Mogrador, the evil dictator of the land.

As they fight to save this magical world, they also discover their respective strengths, and the power that can only be achieved through teamwork, selflessness and finding happiness in friendship that they've formed with one another.

 

Magikland boast of its technical achievement that deserved to be seen and appreciated on big screen. From is great sound, impressive animation and computer generated effects, it makes us proud as Filipino that we can create this film with amazing visual effects that can match the level of Hollywood CGI films. Aside from its technical excellence, the core of its story on giving importance to family and value of friendship and its heartwarming themes about individuality, acceptance and teamwork  make this a perfect film to watch this Christmas with family specially with kids at the comfort of your home. Magikland has the vibes and fusion of the previous MMFF films that was embrace by the Filipino audience like Magic Kingdom, Puso ng Pasko, Enteng Kabisote and Ang Agimat that you will feel the same appeal and excitement of these films. The four kids as the leads of this film are breath of a fresh air that you can feel the rawness on their acting and their charm as a kid. They are promising young actors that has been given a good break through this film. Miggs Cuaderno shines on the depth of his character as a kid looking for his worth on his family while the pretty young actress Elijah Alejo register well on the screen and match for her role as a kid with a healing power. The other two kids Joshua Eugenio and Princess Rabara both shines on their comedic timing that adds color to the film. Magikland is absolutely an adventure film that take us to the new world and introduce us to an engaging creatures that we can love and amazed of. Between the art direction, special effects, and animation, the look of the entire film raises the bar of how beautiful and believable a Magikland can be. So if you want to watch an entertaining, family-friendly, heartwarming adventure Filipino film, Magikland is highly recommended.

 

My Verdict: 4/5