66 reviews
overrated and senseless slaughter
Imitating the basic storyline of "The Raid" does not give you a good movie and this is the best example of that.
First let's have a look at the good aspects of it: 1. Pictures, Scenes, Camera are well done. Especially the 3 min one-shot action scene almost at the end is a highlight. 2. Brandon Vera did a good job, not only in martial art (he has MMA background), but also the best acting in the cast. 3. Gore scenes are splendidly done
Bad (everything else): 1. The build-up of the movie takes far too long, 30 min+ for introduction, walking talking non-essential. 2. The whole movie feels like it wants to waste time in general where the director did not know how to squeeze more time out of it. Chase, wait, walking scenes take too long. 3. The main cast (Anne Curtis) has not prepared enough for this flick. Her character is a drug agent with gun skills, yet she chooses to use hand-combat (which looks staged) against muscled up men. Holds a gun in front of enemies so close you can already punch it away. She ties her hair only half into the movie, just to look cool in the first half. Her acting is wooden (expressionless face), has no charisma and general non-leading behavior. Is able to unrealistically beat a whole mob with hand to hand combat and escapes miraculously. She steps up when needed, but thats about it. I would have preferred Brandon Vera being the lead and she is the sidekick. 4. Story: look, when you make a movie, the story should not be explainable within 3 sentences. There happens to be a twist but its not really that hard of a shocker. 5. Civilians: Since when are civilians running towards gun and like to get slaugthered. Since when are civilians fighting the police? This is just nonsense and made up to have more gunfood. Mindless contribution.
The whole movie is essentially just a gore-heavy flick with a lot of waiting and chasing (especially in the beginning). Nobody has any special skills except Brandon Vera, so this movie has nothing how it can separate itself from other movies. I don't recommend watching this movie as it is like a senseless slaughter and little to no-fun lines. Non-memorable
First let's have a look at the good aspects of it: 1. Pictures, Scenes, Camera are well done. Especially the 3 min one-shot action scene almost at the end is a highlight. 2. Brandon Vera did a good job, not only in martial art (he has MMA background), but also the best acting in the cast. 3. Gore scenes are splendidly done
Bad (everything else): 1. The build-up of the movie takes far too long, 30 min+ for introduction, walking talking non-essential. 2. The whole movie feels like it wants to waste time in general where the director did not know how to squeeze more time out of it. Chase, wait, walking scenes take too long. 3. The main cast (Anne Curtis) has not prepared enough for this flick. Her character is a drug agent with gun skills, yet she chooses to use hand-combat (which looks staged) against muscled up men. Holds a gun in front of enemies so close you can already punch it away. She ties her hair only half into the movie, just to look cool in the first half. Her acting is wooden (expressionless face), has no charisma and general non-leading behavior. Is able to unrealistically beat a whole mob with hand to hand combat and escapes miraculously. She steps up when needed, but thats about it. I would have preferred Brandon Vera being the lead and she is the sidekick. 4. Story: look, when you make a movie, the story should not be explainable within 3 sentences. There happens to be a twist but its not really that hard of a shocker. 5. Civilians: Since when are civilians running towards gun and like to get slaugthered. Since when are civilians fighting the police? This is just nonsense and made up to have more gunfood. Mindless contribution.
The whole movie is essentially just a gore-heavy flick with a lot of waiting and chasing (especially in the beginning). Nobody has any special skills except Brandon Vera, so this movie has nothing how it can separate itself from other movies. I don't recommend watching this movie as it is like a senseless slaughter and little to no-fun lines. Non-memorable
- alexanderstromer
- Aug 3, 2018
- Permalink
BuyBust (2018) - The Inhumane World of Drugs
- villanuevachristianrae-61358
- Aug 9, 2018
- Permalink
Buybust: A maze of a film
- mackysarol
- Aug 4, 2018
- Permalink
Filipino version of Indonesia's Raid but still worth watching
A drug buy-bust operation gone-wrong.
People hope for a better life, at the very least a peaceful one. BuyBust is a film that deals with the anti-drug campaign of the government, but the core of such campaign is how will it impact on the lives of the every Filipino.
The film may be predictable from the start but was told in a different fashion. It was not the usual buy bust operation of the anti-drug authorities, the goal is to catch Biggie Chen- a high value target with Shabu laboratories.
What is entharalling is when PDEA operatives headed by Bernie Lacson (Victor Neri) with Nina Manigan-PDEA operative (Anne Curtis) and Detective Dela Cruz along with the Alpha and Bravo teams, were trapped in Baranggay Gracia ni Maria in the slums of Manila, a community that is fiction but an epitome of what Philippine society is.
Gracia ni Maria is maze-like compound with the texture of a shanty town that you could smell the stink and rot in every corner. A community and people forced to protect drug lords and live in fear and violence.
Characters are very real while the action scenes were obviously choreographed and the gun battle sequences are far better than the usual action films of the 90's. Director Erik Matti weaves the story with layers in the plot like Anne Curtis' character (Operative Manigan) who can't seem to forget her drug buy-bust operation in the past that killed all her team members. She became very cautious, uncertain and even doubtful of the Police team leading them. Another layer in the plot is how the people of Gracia ni Maria have suffered in the war against drugs, as they witness violence everyday of their lives.
Anne has certainly prepared for this film, showing her skills in hand to hand combat; even her movements, stance and reactions during gun battle appear to be realistic. Anne has rediscovered herself and maybe considered as the First True Female Action star of Philippine Cinema. Though BuyBust has not really deviated from the formula of action films in the Philippines where the action hero is being attacked by a mob and yet manages to defeat all of them.
Anne's co-actor Brandon Vera (Rico Yatco), muscled and Hulk type character that can defeat an army of enemies at one time, has played his role well as buddy of operative Manigan (Anne) who also believes in amulet to keep him safe. Joross Gamboa is also commendable in his role as Manok (Chicken) who seemed to be at his being state in most of the scenes.
Award-winning supporting actor Joel Saracho, portraying a shanty owner and out of fear, he casually declines to help PDEA Operative Manigan and Yatco on their way out of the compound. The scene typifies how fear has become a normal and casual state for the people. Music is not overwhelming but enough to heighten and build up the action scenes.
BuyBust is action in its real sense, with deafening gun battles, hand to hand combat fight scenes and unending chase sequences around the compound. Manigan (Anne) being the action heroine, as usual, is the last PDEA operative standing.
Manigan and Biggie Chen mano-o mano fight scene is also very real though it is the typical protagonist and antagonist face to face showdown with great reveals as to who are the protectors and snitch within the Police Organization.
One essential element in the film is the people in the community. People have taken arms and have resolved to act; seized to believe that the Government will truly solve the illegal drugs problem. Innocent civilians as always are caught in the cross-fire between the Government and the Drug Lords or even in any war that the government launches. Illegal drugs will not proliferate without the nod of a high-ranking government official. What else is new??-it is a common perception. And the innocent civilians are the victims.
In many of the sequences, community people were also attacking the PDEA and Police Teams, furious and raging like zombies who are ready to eat their preys alive. But in the end, the fury and rage of the people are the bi-product of frustrations and hopelessness from the Government to resolve the social ills of our society.
The film is not only an eye opener about the sincerity of Government on its anti-drug campaign but also a call to action for the people to stand and participate in issues of our Nation, people should become part of the solution and hope is the only thing we should hold onto.
Over-all, Kudos to Director Erik Matti! Setting a new trend in action films and riveting story telling.
The film may be predictable from the start but was told in a different fashion. It was not the usual buy bust operation of the anti-drug authorities, the goal is to catch Biggie Chen- a high value target with Shabu laboratories.
What is entharalling is when PDEA operatives headed by Bernie Lacson (Victor Neri) with Nina Manigan-PDEA operative (Anne Curtis) and Detective Dela Cruz along with the Alpha and Bravo teams, were trapped in Baranggay Gracia ni Maria in the slums of Manila, a community that is fiction but an epitome of what Philippine society is.
Gracia ni Maria is maze-like compound with the texture of a shanty town that you could smell the stink and rot in every corner. A community and people forced to protect drug lords and live in fear and violence.
Characters are very real while the action scenes were obviously choreographed and the gun battle sequences are far better than the usual action films of the 90's. Director Erik Matti weaves the story with layers in the plot like Anne Curtis' character (Operative Manigan) who can't seem to forget her drug buy-bust operation in the past that killed all her team members. She became very cautious, uncertain and even doubtful of the Police team leading them. Another layer in the plot is how the people of Gracia ni Maria have suffered in the war against drugs, as they witness violence everyday of their lives.
Anne has certainly prepared for this film, showing her skills in hand to hand combat; even her movements, stance and reactions during gun battle appear to be realistic. Anne has rediscovered herself and maybe considered as the First True Female Action star of Philippine Cinema. Though BuyBust has not really deviated from the formula of action films in the Philippines where the action hero is being attacked by a mob and yet manages to defeat all of them.
Anne's co-actor Brandon Vera (Rico Yatco), muscled and Hulk type character that can defeat an army of enemies at one time, has played his role well as buddy of operative Manigan (Anne) who also believes in amulet to keep him safe. Joross Gamboa is also commendable in his role as Manok (Chicken) who seemed to be at his being state in most of the scenes.
Award-winning supporting actor Joel Saracho, portraying a shanty owner and out of fear, he casually declines to help PDEA Operative Manigan and Yatco on their way out of the compound. The scene typifies how fear has become a normal and casual state for the people. Music is not overwhelming but enough to heighten and build up the action scenes.
BuyBust is action in its real sense, with deafening gun battles, hand to hand combat fight scenes and unending chase sequences around the compound. Manigan (Anne) being the action heroine, as usual, is the last PDEA operative standing.
Manigan and Biggie Chen mano-o mano fight scene is also very real though it is the typical protagonist and antagonist face to face showdown with great reveals as to who are the protectors and snitch within the Police Organization.
One essential element in the film is the people in the community. People have taken arms and have resolved to act; seized to believe that the Government will truly solve the illegal drugs problem. Innocent civilians as always are caught in the cross-fire between the Government and the Drug Lords or even in any war that the government launches. Illegal drugs will not proliferate without the nod of a high-ranking government official. What else is new??-it is a common perception. And the innocent civilians are the victims.
In many of the sequences, community people were also attacking the PDEA and Police Teams, furious and raging like zombies who are ready to eat their preys alive. But in the end, the fury and rage of the people are the bi-product of frustrations and hopelessness from the Government to resolve the social ills of our society.
The film is not only an eye opener about the sincerity of Government on its anti-drug campaign but also a call to action for the people to stand and participate in issues of our Nation, people should become part of the solution and hope is the only thing we should hold onto.
Over-all, Kudos to Director Erik Matti! Setting a new trend in action films and riveting story telling.
- filmreviewph
- Aug 15, 2018
- Permalink
Dreadful action film
There's plenty of incredibly badly choreographed action in this non-stop action snooze-fest and that's all it has to recommend it. OK, it does have one long-take that passes for reasonable but that's probably because the rest is just so shockingly bad.
Reviews are comparing it to the Raid films. Don't believe them. The director of this is talentless compared to The Raid films' Gareth Evans and his incredible crew of stuntmen.
Give it a miss.
Reviews are comparing it to the Raid films. Don't believe them. The director of this is talentless compared to The Raid films' Gareth Evans and his incredible crew of stuntmen.
Give it a miss.
- ChocOrange_
- Dec 19, 2018
- Permalink
Quite overrated
Okay I may be inviting trouble here but what the heck. I hate to use the term, but OVERRATED may very well apply in this case.
The movie looked just like a 2-hour compilation of all the fight scenes and gunshots we've seen in the movies. Just that. There's no real story. Or maybe I was expecting a docu? Then again, the director, Erik Matti, made it clear this is not his "statement" film. So what went wrong? I think Matti capitalized on the fight scenes to the point that he lost the essence of it. This is entitled "Buybust" after all, a flagship project of the current administration-so it feels underwhelming to just see Anne and her team kick here, shoot there. Blood here, screams there. Is there more? I'm afraid there's none.
Now before I get criticized for the "there's no story" remark. Here it is. You judge for yourself if this is considered a "story". Manigan (Anne Curtis) is part of an anti-drug team tasked with catching a big fish named Biggie Chen. They embark on an entrapment operation with the help of their intel asset. Biggie Chen plays safe, so he invites the asset to transact on his village, a slum area in Manila. The area literally looks like a maze, and once inside, its hard to find your way out. Soon, the team figured that they were set-up, and they struggle to survive and come out of the maze alive.
I find it hard to engage in a movie where the lead/s seemingly feel like IMMORTAL/S that they're too invincible to die dammit! Its one thing if you're superman, but I thought we're mirroring Philippine society here with this theme? In here, you'll see Anne Curtis battle it out with two groups: 1) The drug syndicate (complete with ammunitions) and 2) the zombie-like crowd who has had it all and wants nothing to do with the drug war. She battles with them AT THE SAME TIME. And she's injured and she's got no ammunitions. And she's not familiar with the place! Try harder to convince me. Unless this is comedy. There's just quite so many plotholes that defies reality and common practice here.
There's no strong message delivered in here. Unless you count the few minutes in the ending. Other than that, this is just really a work of fiction.
The fight scenes execution were okay. There's too much gunshots here that I think I may have gone deaf in the theater. It also didn't help that the illumination (because the entrapment operation was scheduled to start at 8:00 PM and ended in the early dawn) was dark and it was raining (because of course, it always rains when you want a bloody violence to ensue-it just helps with the dramatic effect) and so it was hard to make of on who's fighting who.
If there's any positive aspect of the film, it is (and only this) the music. The music here went far lengths, and it was the only redeeming factor here. Too bad it was only the music that I liked here.
The movie looked just like a 2-hour compilation of all the fight scenes and gunshots we've seen in the movies. Just that. There's no real story. Or maybe I was expecting a docu? Then again, the director, Erik Matti, made it clear this is not his "statement" film. So what went wrong? I think Matti capitalized on the fight scenes to the point that he lost the essence of it. This is entitled "Buybust" after all, a flagship project of the current administration-so it feels underwhelming to just see Anne and her team kick here, shoot there. Blood here, screams there. Is there more? I'm afraid there's none.
Now before I get criticized for the "there's no story" remark. Here it is. You judge for yourself if this is considered a "story". Manigan (Anne Curtis) is part of an anti-drug team tasked with catching a big fish named Biggie Chen. They embark on an entrapment operation with the help of their intel asset. Biggie Chen plays safe, so he invites the asset to transact on his village, a slum area in Manila. The area literally looks like a maze, and once inside, its hard to find your way out. Soon, the team figured that they were set-up, and they struggle to survive and come out of the maze alive.
I find it hard to engage in a movie where the lead/s seemingly feel like IMMORTAL/S that they're too invincible to die dammit! Its one thing if you're superman, but I thought we're mirroring Philippine society here with this theme? In here, you'll see Anne Curtis battle it out with two groups: 1) The drug syndicate (complete with ammunitions) and 2) the zombie-like crowd who has had it all and wants nothing to do with the drug war. She battles with them AT THE SAME TIME. And she's injured and she's got no ammunitions. And she's not familiar with the place! Try harder to convince me. Unless this is comedy. There's just quite so many plotholes that defies reality and common practice here.
There's no strong message delivered in here. Unless you count the few minutes in the ending. Other than that, this is just really a work of fiction.
The fight scenes execution were okay. There's too much gunshots here that I think I may have gone deaf in the theater. It also didn't help that the illumination (because the entrapment operation was scheduled to start at 8:00 PM and ended in the early dawn) was dark and it was raining (because of course, it always rains when you want a bloody violence to ensue-it just helps with the dramatic effect) and so it was hard to make of on who's fighting who.
If there's any positive aspect of the film, it is (and only this) the music. The music here went far lengths, and it was the only redeeming factor here. Too bad it was only the music that I liked here.
- plsletitrain
- Aug 24, 2018
- Permalink
Thumbs up
This movie has a lot of action. I enjoyed watching it. I recommend watching this movie.
- seanroger-82963
- Dec 30, 2020
- Permalink
Hmmm
Production Design was great. Scoring was irritating. Shots were irritating that you couldn't even see the choreo anymore. Extras were bad. Concept and story was great but was too draggy. You can easily make it less boring if you cut out a few parts.
Awesome Action Flick!
My favourite Action Movie of This year. Fantastic action and fighting sequences. It's up with the raid films. I must watch. 7/10
- amgee-89551
- Oct 4, 2018
- Permalink
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
- chicando_kiel
- Aug 12, 2018
- Permalink
Go Philippines action movie go !
BuyBust is my first exposure to the cinema industry of the Philippines and I gotta say your guys just earn another follower thank to this brutal "Die Hard in a Slum" movie. I see many people often compared BuyBust to The Raid a fantastic action movie from Indonesia in a distasteful manner and I wholeheartedly agree with them about how cliche and boring the plot is but not the action. If The Raid shock people with how well choreographed the brutal fight in Pencak Silat style then for about 1h 50 min of the pure chaotic and merciless street fight of BuyBust will do the same. I absolutely love Anne Curtis and Brandon Vera so I hope this is not the last time I see them together
- phanthinga
- May 11, 2019
- Permalink
Erik Matti's not so best but good.
A totally credible action flick that's got a lot going on under the hood. Must-see.
- joanacatbagan
- Feb 16, 2019
- Permalink
Good Story but Camera is TOO SHAKEY
The movie is full of action and so as the camera. Its like they have a palsied hand camera man. Out of 100% action scene, only saw 5% of it. It gives me a headache
- leonardrealon
- Aug 13, 2018
- Permalink
Ripoff with a twist
Review: It's 90% goose chase/stabbing/gun-firing, shouting, gore, 10% storyline. It's an outright massive ripoff from Indonesia's The Raid. Exciting and suspenseful at first, but midway I got bored with all the stabbing and gunfiring and silly chases. Anne's character didn't get the necessary development.
Good points:
Good points:
- amazing 3-minute one-shot sequence near the finale
- gore scenes are nicely done
- the finale is surreal, goosebumps! Trese katao lang ba talaga?? Love it!
- lawrence0921
- Aug 5, 2018
- Permalink
Johnnie To's "Drug War" (2012) meets Gareth's "The Raid" (2011) in a Philippines narco-addled slumland
Excellent little low budget action flick out of SEA that's heavy on the octane and light on the social commentary. Obvious digitization of effects and several choreographed fight sequences that are improperly filmed (angles reveal punches not landing and lack of actual strength going into strikes, so some of the melee shots look more like limp noodle fights lol) amid a script that has its fair share of hackneyed dialogue is ultimately the straw that breaks BuyBust's back and prevents it from standing tall against the more well-known genre greats. Despite the film's obvious budgetary constraints and seemingly novice continuity errors, it's still a fantastic piece of low budget cinema that is definitely worth watching for fans of foreign crime/action drama.
Maniga is one attractive pinay with an athletic build and a fiery temperament--the result of an angst-riddled mindset molded by previous career-related trauma--that fits the character of her lead role perfectly. Supporting cast is largely forgettable aside from a very select few figures, like the Dwayne Johnson/Dave Bautista pinoy clone with the bottlecap charm that plays her main partner throughout a majority of the movie. Apart from the cast, the insanely claustrophic corridors of the Gracia favela that BuyBust takes place in helps immensely with ratcheting up the movie's tension and is partially reminiscent of the famous elevator/hallway scene from 2003's "Oldboy." The hordes of pissed off civilians killing both gangster and cop alike also add to Maniga's predicament and helps keep the movie's primary nemesis (Biggie Chen) from getting too stale or annoying to tolerate. It's a fresh rotating marquee of danger from all angles for Maniga and her squad and it helps the audience commiserate with the sense of helplessness that permeates the length of the movie as night turns to day in Maniga's odyssey into a drug-fueled inferno as she fights tooth and nail to stay alive.
If you like Korean action flicks like Man From Nowhere or Indonesian action flicks like The Night Comes For Us or better yet, Vietnam's "Furie," you will definitely get a kick or two out of BuyBust and should watch it on Netflix at least once.
A solid 6/10!
Maniga is one attractive pinay with an athletic build and a fiery temperament--the result of an angst-riddled mindset molded by previous career-related trauma--that fits the character of her lead role perfectly. Supporting cast is largely forgettable aside from a very select few figures, like the Dwayne Johnson/Dave Bautista pinoy clone with the bottlecap charm that plays her main partner throughout a majority of the movie. Apart from the cast, the insanely claustrophic corridors of the Gracia favela that BuyBust takes place in helps immensely with ratcheting up the movie's tension and is partially reminiscent of the famous elevator/hallway scene from 2003's "Oldboy." The hordes of pissed off civilians killing both gangster and cop alike also add to Maniga's predicament and helps keep the movie's primary nemesis (Biggie Chen) from getting too stale or annoying to tolerate. It's a fresh rotating marquee of danger from all angles for Maniga and her squad and it helps the audience commiserate with the sense of helplessness that permeates the length of the movie as night turns to day in Maniga's odyssey into a drug-fueled inferno as she fights tooth and nail to stay alive.
If you like Korean action flicks like Man From Nowhere or Indonesian action flicks like The Night Comes For Us or better yet, Vietnam's "Furie," you will definitely get a kick or two out of BuyBust and should watch it on Netflix at least once.
A solid 6/10!
- asphyxion_
- Apr 7, 2020
- Permalink
PSA...stop any comparison to The Raid movies
Whichever other reviewers compared this movie to The Raid or The Raid 2 clearly haven't seen this movie. To suggest any of the fight scenes, action taking place in this movie or the cinematography is anywhere in the same realm of The Raid or The Raid 2 is unquestionably void of sight.
The Raid movies were top notch high quality gruesomely amazing action movies, this movie is not even cracking the top 2000+ list of action movies i've seen.
If you want to see a movie with terribly choreographed fight scenes, absolutely poor sound editing, terrible camera work, and lazy plot... then yeah this is your jam.
I really need to repeat this, the fight scenes feel fake, are terribly choreographed and poorly shot. When you see a good action movie the punches and kicks look real, looks like it hurts. This particular movie however, the punches and kicks among other things look like they were being puller back. The only thing in the fight scenes that actually feels real and painful is the use of knives, but with the exception of that the fights and overall action falls flat.
The sound editing was bad throughout, most importantly during fight scenes and action sequences.
The awful camerawork didn't help, but wasn't the biggest problem. If the action and fights were better choreographed and the plot was there, then yes the lack of quality camerawork would have been the biggest obstacle in getting the rating more than a 6/10.
.
The Raid movies were top notch high quality gruesomely amazing action movies, this movie is not even cracking the top 2000+ list of action movies i've seen.
If you want to see a movie with terribly choreographed fight scenes, absolutely poor sound editing, terrible camera work, and lazy plot... then yeah this is your jam.
I really need to repeat this, the fight scenes feel fake, are terribly choreographed and poorly shot. When you see a good action movie the punches and kicks look real, looks like it hurts. This particular movie however, the punches and kicks among other things look like they were being puller back. The only thing in the fight scenes that actually feels real and painful is the use of knives, but with the exception of that the fights and overall action falls flat.
The sound editing was bad throughout, most importantly during fight scenes and action sequences.
The awful camerawork didn't help, but wasn't the biggest problem. If the action and fights were better choreographed and the plot was there, then yes the lack of quality camerawork would have been the biggest obstacle in getting the rating more than a 6/10.
.
SLUGFEST
Though visually violent and graphically bloody, this movie is NOT a waste of my time. It's truly not for anyone below 18 years of age, in our humble opinion. The director's portrayal of the "drug war" happening is quite fascinating, but not necessarily thoroughly accurate.
If you are entertained by "300" - this is also on the same page, just don't set your expectations too high.
You'll have to pay attention in the last 25 minutes of this movie to appreciate.
If you are entertained by "300" - this is also on the same page, just don't set your expectations too high.
You'll have to pay attention in the last 25 minutes of this movie to appreciate.
Tha Raid (Knockoff Version)
The movie was a cheap The Raid (KNOCK OFF) Movie. With bad story lines. The Actors where ok but who ever directed this movie needs to think the possibilities of retirement! Its juz a total waste of time, efforts and production money.
- radiojuicefm
- Aug 4, 2018
- Permalink
Huge potential, could be much better but may be just the start
This is a pure long fight held in the poor neighborhoods of Manila, a real jungle of gangs, drugs, and locals who are caught in between. The film is a frenzy of war, between all - gangs, police and locals, all fighting each other to the death. A very bloody film but it is not The Raid which had perfect choreography, this film lacks that, and the fights looks fake and unreliable. Still, it makes you feel that with the right professionals the result can be amazing, I'm looking forward to more movies and yes, a sequel is possible.
I love Ann but..
My eyes hurts. There's only a handful of Filipino films that's worth 20 minutes of my time, the rest is just pure GARBAGE.
- trojandem-exe
- Aug 5, 2018
- Permalink
A must watch for every Filipino.
Buybust courageously gives a possible view of what truly is happening now. What's good about this film is that in doing so, it did not use a typical perspective (through the eyes of the usual victim like the family of a drug suspect wrongly killed in an operation). Instead, it presented the story through the life of a pdea agent (someone from the government whose always seen as the antagonist in this drug war) but was successful in obtaining from the viewers sympathy for both parties in this drug drama.The film will make tou realize that in drugs, including drug war for that matter, those below will always be the victims.
- normaeugenioagustin
- Aug 1, 2018
- Permalink
Good one that could have been better
I'll start with something I noticed as a complaint in other reviews: the camera. And yes, mainly in the first half, where all the action is so to say starting, it is a bit crappy, but still not that bad as you can see it in some Hollywood blockbusters. For me, the sound is a bigger problem, especially when it comes to the speech - too low. Anyway, the actors are fine, it isn't something that requires a master acting skills, but anyway, a crappy actor can turn a good movie into a bad one. As far as it goes for the fighting scenes - average, don't expect something like Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa or Scott Adkins.
The idea for the movie is fine, it's just the overall release could have been better done, just a bit more. But for the type of movies that this one is, I still find it good enough, yet not among the best ones as it is similar to The Raid: Redemption, but not at its level.
The idea for the movie is fine, it's just the overall release could have been better done, just a bit more. But for the type of movies that this one is, I still find it good enough, yet not among the best ones as it is similar to The Raid: Redemption, but not at its level.
- MAD_PIGE0N
- Aug 30, 2020
- Permalink
Almost one continuous gunfight from start to end...
Well, let's just be honest and say that "BuyBust" definitely marks the Philippines on the map in terms of recent action movies.
With that being said, then I must also say that you shouldn't watch "BuyBust" if you want a wholesome story that has been given lots of consideration and thought. You will be sorely disappointed. The storyline here, in all its entirety is a small group of police infiltrate a drug-controlled part of Manilla, and things go awry with a doublecross, and they have to fend off the entire neighborhood.
Yeah, that was essentially it. But what "BuyBust" lacks in storyline and script it definitely makes more than up for in terms of sheer action, fighting and shooting. The entire movie is almost one prolonged gunfight, for better or worse. I must admit, guilty as charged, that I found that approach to be enjoyable. While "BuyBust" is no "The Raid" (either of the two movies), then it sure was well on its way to making it to such.
And "BuyBust" is of course not heavy on thespian acting performances, as this was essentially just one long gun fight. But I will say that people were performing well enough with their given roles.
If you are not accustomed to Philippine movies, then "BuyBust" is definitely a light introduction to their cinema. "BuyBust" is actually worth spending almost two hours on. I was entertained, for certain.
With that being said, then I must also say that you shouldn't watch "BuyBust" if you want a wholesome story that has been given lots of consideration and thought. You will be sorely disappointed. The storyline here, in all its entirety is a small group of police infiltrate a drug-controlled part of Manilla, and things go awry with a doublecross, and they have to fend off the entire neighborhood.
Yeah, that was essentially it. But what "BuyBust" lacks in storyline and script it definitely makes more than up for in terms of sheer action, fighting and shooting. The entire movie is almost one prolonged gunfight, for better or worse. I must admit, guilty as charged, that I found that approach to be enjoyable. While "BuyBust" is no "The Raid" (either of the two movies), then it sure was well on its way to making it to such.
And "BuyBust" is of course not heavy on thespian acting performances, as this was essentially just one long gun fight. But I will say that people were performing well enough with their given roles.
If you are not accustomed to Philippine movies, then "BuyBust" is definitely a light introduction to their cinema. "BuyBust" is actually worth spending almost two hours on. I was entertained, for certain.
- paul_haakonsen
- Nov 28, 2018
- Permalink
GOOD PLOT...but very BADLY executed!
The only good acting from anyone in this film was done by Anne Curtis (in the lead role as Nina Manigan) and Levi Ignacio who plays grey haired bad guy Chongki. Most of the cast are extra's who, it appears to me, have never done any film work before and they were all truly dreadful.
The plot is a good idea (I think the idea for it may have come from a video game I remember playing a few years back) and it could be based upon certain police drug enforcement actions in some of the Latin American countries like Brazil, Columbia etc (along with the corrupt police idea also; it is rife in the 2 countries mentioned). Its main let down though is that there is no unity with the Filipino drug squad and, the squad leader has no proper control over them as their discipline is totally non existent. Lines are delivered in complete lackluster fashion which is also the same way the action is delivered.
The fight choreography is embarrassing and either the stunt team is very bad or there was no stunt team and the director/producers just used clueless extras to keep filming costs low. Every fight scene was done in extremely lame visuals with the protagonists/fighters plainly obvious that they are pulling their punches, kicks and stabbing actions etc. At the film start you see the drug squad training in "Killing Room" technique (which was so bad by the way that they would have been all dead in a real life situation) and in unarmed combat; the latter being very mediocre. However! During the many, many hand to hand combat moments in the film they repeatedly got their butts kicked which, led to most of the squad unit being dead by the time the film had been running an hour! Running time was too much also...1hr:25mins would have been more than enough rather than the 2hr:07min dragged out flop audiences were given!
All in all a very poor film. The Filipino film industry schools need to make watching/studying the techniques of action directors, like John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, a few of the well known Chinese/South Korean/Japanese directors, a part of their curriculum and, then mix it with another 5-10 years of practice to get some better results. Go watch somebody paint their garden fence and watch it dry...you will have a far better time!
Also! I don't know/see the reason why the character portrayed by Anne (Curtis) had to cut off her long hair into a short chin length Bob for her part? She could have worn a wig or just tied her hair up or, plaited it.
The plot is a good idea (I think the idea for it may have come from a video game I remember playing a few years back) and it could be based upon certain police drug enforcement actions in some of the Latin American countries like Brazil, Columbia etc (along with the corrupt police idea also; it is rife in the 2 countries mentioned). Its main let down though is that there is no unity with the Filipino drug squad and, the squad leader has no proper control over them as their discipline is totally non existent. Lines are delivered in complete lackluster fashion which is also the same way the action is delivered.
The fight choreography is embarrassing and either the stunt team is very bad or there was no stunt team and the director/producers just used clueless extras to keep filming costs low. Every fight scene was done in extremely lame visuals with the protagonists/fighters plainly obvious that they are pulling their punches, kicks and stabbing actions etc. At the film start you see the drug squad training in "Killing Room" technique (which was so bad by the way that they would have been all dead in a real life situation) and in unarmed combat; the latter being very mediocre. However! During the many, many hand to hand combat moments in the film they repeatedly got their butts kicked which, led to most of the squad unit being dead by the time the film had been running an hour! Running time was too much also...1hr:25mins would have been more than enough rather than the 2hr:07min dragged out flop audiences were given!
All in all a very poor film. The Filipino film industry schools need to make watching/studying the techniques of action directors, like John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, a few of the well known Chinese/South Korean/Japanese directors, a part of their curriculum and, then mix it with another 5-10 years of practice to get some better results. Go watch somebody paint their garden fence and watch it dry...you will have a far better time!
Also! I don't know/see the reason why the character portrayed by Anne (Curtis) had to cut off her long hair into a short chin length Bob for her part? She could have worn a wig or just tied her hair up or, plaited it.
- silicontourist
- Nov 26, 2020
- Permalink