The State of Action Films in the Philippines
Action films in the Philippines have been on life support since the passing of Fernando Poe Jr., the country’s last great action hero.
When Maria was released with Cristine Reyes in the lead role, it was surprising and refreshing, particularly because the genre had not produced anything remarkable in years.
The Good Parts
Choosing a female lead was a bold move. Cristine Reyes delivered convincing action scenes, her performance enhanced by the director and editor. Her portrayal as an assassin felt natural, and the action sequences were fast, snappy, and well-executed.
Maria also gave Reyes space to show emotional depth, particularly through her expressive eyes—a rare gift in action films, where acting often takes a back seat.
Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses
Maria offered more story than most local action films. But the narrative felt too familiar, resembling Kill Bill: an assassin who left the life, married, had a child, only to be pulled back into violence. The film could have benefited from a more original premise.
Action Sequences: Good but Not Groundbreaking
While the film’s choreography was clean and fast, it wasn’t unique from an international perspective. Unlike The Raid or Crouching Tiger, Maria didn’t introduce a uniquely Filipino fighting style or new approach. It’s fresh locally, but internationally, we’ve seen similar work before.
Missed Opportunities in Emotional Depth
Reyes did well in heavy drama scenes, but the film didn’t give her enough moments to portray the deep grief over her character’s losses. The stages of grief weren’t shown, and her final confrontation with the antagonist was rushed, lacking the emotional punch and extended choreography that could have made it more satisfying.
Maria is far from perfect, but it’s a crucial step for Philippine action films. It shouldn’t be expected to compete internationally yet, but if we support and build on films like this, Philippine cinema might eventually reach that level. For now, Maria deserves credit as a local triumph, even if it isn’t groundbreaking worldwide.
