Gandarrapiddo!: The Revenger Squad[1][2] is a 2017 Filipino superhero comedy film directed by Joyce Bernal[1] and starred by Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla, and Pia Wurtzbach. It is distributed and produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films, serving as an official entry to the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.
| Gandarrapiddo!: The Revenger Squad | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joyce Bernal[1] |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mackie Galvez |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Carmina R. Cuya |
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Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
| Box office | ₱571 million (January 17, 2018) |
Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad and Ang Panday marked the return of co-production between Star Cinema and Viva Films return to Metro Manila Film Festival since Beauty and the Bestie 2 years prior and it was the first and only time to have 2 co-productions between Star Cinema and Viva Films movies released at the same time during MMFF.
Plot
editMadman and Mino take over the lair of superheroes owned by Professor Clean but Mino is imprisoned in a mirror. Gandarra, along with Higopa, Flawlessa, Barna and Pospora fight against Madman. Their battle causes the lair to be destroyed. Madman tells Gandarra to give him the lipstick spear in exchange for Mino. But Gandarra refuses, and Madman tells her that Gandarra would never see her sister Cassandra again. Gandarra then kills Madman but is hit by a falling rock in the head. Before Professor Clean dies, he tells them to take care of Madman's son. When the superheroes try to save Gandarra, she suffers from amnesia. They take the boy named Chino and live like mortals.
Years later, Gandarra, who is called Emi along with Chino and Juvie live a decent life including fellow superheroes and neighbors Peppa (Barna), Bulldog (Pospora), Luz-Luz (Higopa) and Bokbok (Flawlessa). Peppa informed them that Chino's powers would activate on his 21st birthday. Chino is a fan of international model Cassandra Stockings, whom he encounters in a racing event. It is also revealed that Cassandra is also Kweenie, a villain who is known for spreading fake news around the internet. After Chino is fired from his job, he decides to join the Philippine Army, but Emi disagrees with him. As Chino's birthday draws near, Peppa and her group hit Gandarra in the head several times until she regains her memory. On his 21st birthday, Chino's powers begin to appear. He gains the ability to run fast and save people from Kweenie's men. Because of his speed, he is called Rapido, infuriating Kweenie. Rapido then joins forces with Gandarra, Barna, Higopa, Flawlessa and Pospora. They identify themselves as "The Revengers Squad". Kweenie also remembers her sister Emi. But Mino tells her that she was always absent during the times she needed her. When Cassandra is invited by Chino to their house, she feels sweaty and was given a towel. Suddenly, a big mole in her left cheek appears, indicating that she is recognized by Emi. During a fight between Gandarra and Kweenie, Rapido becomes furious after learning that Gandarra killed his father Madman. He then takes the lipstick spear and leaves her.
Rapido is asked by Mino, who disguised himself as Madman, to give the lipstick spear. As the power of the lipstick spear fuses the mirror, Mino is released from the mirror. Kweenie asks the help of The Revengers Squad. They fight Mino, but Mino causes Gandarra to lose her powers. After a near death experience during which she is encouraged by Professor Clean, she comes back and defeats Mino. As they continue with their normal lives, Cassandra is visited by Marlon Stockinger, while Chino is visited by Kathryn Bernardo.
Cast and characters
editMain cast
edit- Vice Ganda as Emerson "Emy" Mariposque / Gandarra :
A low-cost cosmetics salesperson and cleaning rag maker who lives in a decrepit house with his brother, Chino. He suffered from memory loss after being involved in a "great battle" among super beings which took place years before the main story line of the film began. Before he lost his memory, he was a superhero named Gandarra who draws power from a bertud or artifact in a form of a lipstick which he later applies on himself to transform to his alter-ego. Gandarra's signature weapon is a Lipstick Spear.[3]
- Vice Ganda himself was involved in creating the costume design for his character. He said that he and the producers first decided on the color scheme of the costume and Vice said that he wanted the costume to be vibrantly colored while also look good to appeal to children. Elements of the mobile game, EverWing - which was popular at that time, as well as Sailor Moon was also incorporated in the costume.[4]
- Daniel Padilla as Chino Mariposque / Rappido :
The 21 year old brother of Emy who is characterized as "siga (lit. 'badboy') with a heart". He possesses superhuman strength and supersonic speed who adopts the alias Rappido.[3]
- Director Joyce B. Bernal said that the costume design of Padilla's character was made to reflect the "manly character" and the superhuman speed ability of his character.[4]
- Pia Wurtzbach as Cassandra Stockings / Cassandra "Cassey" Mariposque / Kweenie :
An orphan who became a rising fashion designer and international model who goes by the super-powered alias Kweenie. She possess combat skills, knowledge in advance technology and hypnosis ability known as "smizenopsis".[3]
- Wurtzbach's involvement in The Revenger Squad marks the first time that Wurtzbach will portray a lead role and a superhero character.[5] Wurtzbach took refresher courses on acting before the filming of Gandarappido began.[6] Her previous acting stint was a guest role in the television series Aryana.[5] Director Bernal stated that the only "requirement" for the costume design of Kweenie is for it to be color gold as a nod to Wurtzbach being the titleholder of Miss Universe 2015[4]
Supporting cast
edit- Ejay Falcon as Mino :
A supervillain who is trapped within a mirror. He seeks to get Gandarra's lipstick which would free him from his imprisonment.[7] - Loisa Andalio as Velle :
A close friend and neighbor of Chino Mariposque. - Justin James Quilantang as Juvee/Enrique Heal
The only boy in the Mariposque household who is known for being mischievous. As a provider of food, he helps Barna in her superheroine battles.[3] - Wacky Kiray as Bul-Dog / Pospora:
A member of the Mariposque household who is a street cigarette vendor. As Pospora, he has the ability to control and produce fire like a match stick.[3] - Lassy Marquez as Bokbok / Flawlessa :
A loyal friend of Emy Mariposque who acts as a aunt-figure to Chino. He sells floors as a living and as Flawlessa he draws powers from his pimples (or pimplets as he calls them) which he can multiply at will to use as his weapons.[3] - MC Calaquian as Luz-Luz / Higopa
A soda reseller who lives with the Mariposques. As the superhero Higopa, he possess indestructible fat and has the ability the engulf and puff virtually anything.[3] - Karla Estrada as Peppa/Barna[4]
The annoying neighbor of the Mariposques who runs a food delivery business. As the superheroine, Barna, she draws power from food.[3] - RK Bagatsing as Renz / Madman :
A supervillain who is the real biological father of Chino and Gandarra´s greatest enemy.[7] - Carlo Mendoza as himself
- Michael Flores as Professor Clean
- Alvin Ronquillo
- Warren Tablo
Cameo role
edit- Zanjoe Marudo as Emy's love interest
- Kathryn Bernardo[8] as Chino's love interest
- Marlon Stockinger as Cassey's love interest
- Julia Barretto as Chino's rescue
- TNT Boys
Kris Aquino was offered to make a cameo appearance in the film to portray an antagonistic role. She declined saying that companies managing the brands she endorses may not be amicable to her playing a role of an antagonist.[9]
Production
editGandarrapiddo was initially known to the public under at least two working titles, the first being simply known as The Revengers. In August 2017, it was announced that the name of the film was changed to Gandarah N’ Gwapito: The Revengers.[10] Principal photography of Gandarappiddo: The Revenger Squad officially began by July 2017.[11]
Release
editGandarappiddo: The Revenger Squad premiered in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2017, as one of the eight official entries of the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.[12]
Marketing
editAn official microsite for The Revenger Squad was launched on December 13, 2017.[13] The official theme song of the film is "Gigil si Aquo", a music video featuring Vice Ganda, also released as additional marketing efforts for the film.[14] A lyric video was later released which featured the characters of Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla, and Pia Wurtzbach and included "never-before-seen moments on set".[15] According to critics, the song resembles Blackpink's "Boombayah".[16]
Reception
editThe Revenger Squad's total box office gross during the official run of the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival is ₱540 million, making it the top grossing film among the festival entries.[17] By January 17, 2018, the overall domestic box office gross of the film which screened beyond the official run of the film festival amounted to ₱571 million.[18]
Potential sequel
editIn January 2018, Vice Ganda and Pia Wurtzbach two of the stars of The Revengers Squad, hinted that the film might have a sequel remarking that there is still yet to be explored regarding the characters of film.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b c "GANDARRAPIDDO: THE REVENGER SQUAD". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "Karla shares a wacky moment with Daniel on the set of 'Gandarrapido: The Revenger Squad'". Star Cinema. October 9, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Cast..." The Revenger Squad. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Villano, Alexa (December 17, 2017). "5 fun facts about the movie 'Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad'". Rappler. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ a b Iglesias, Iza (July 28, 2017). "Pia Wurtzbach prepares to act anew". The Manila Times. TMT. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "How Pia is preparing for superhero film with Vice, Daniel Padilla". ABS-CBN News. July 18, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ a b ""Gandarappido: The Revengers Squad" becomes Entertaining when it stops pretending to be something else". Lion Heart TV. December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Cagape, Kristhoff (December 10, 2017). "Daniel Padilla answers: Will Kathryn Bernardo be in 'Gandarrapiddo: The Revengers Squad'?". Philippine Ultimate Showbiz Hub. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ "Kris Aquino admits turning down cameo role for Vice Ganda's "Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad"". MSN Entertainment (in English and Filipino). December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Fernando, Jeff (August 17, 2017). "MMFF gives update on changes in movie titles, directors, actors". Philippines Ultimate Showbiz Hub. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Abanilla, Clarizel (July 6, 2017). "Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla start shooting MMFF movie". INQUIRER.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto return in MMFF 2017 roster". CNN Philippines. July 1, 2017. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "'The Revenger Squad' microsite is now up!". Star Cinema. December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Tabora, Regina (December 16, 2017). "Mang-GIGIL sa 'Gigil si Aquo' MV!". Star Cinema. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ Tabora, Regina (December 24, 2017). "Superhero overload with 'Gigil si Aquo' MV". Star Cinema. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ "Bagong kanta ni Vice, kopya raw sa Korean girl group". Philippine Star.
- ^ "'Gandarrapido: The Revenger Squad' tops MMFF 2017 box office". Rappler. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ^ "Kita ng 'The Revenger Squad,' pumalo ng P571 milyon" [Sales of 'The Revenger Squad', hits P571 million]. ABS-CBN News (in Filipino). January 19, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
Sa latest overall Philippine domestic gross kasi nito noong Enero 17, umabot na ang kita ng nasabing pelikula sa P571 milyon.
- ^ "'Revengers', 'Panday' top MMFF 2017 box office". ABS-CBN News. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.