TVJ is still at it

Film review: Iskul Bukol 20 Years After

Iskul Bukol, 20 Years After is an exercise in savvy filmmaking. An entry for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) from Octo-Arts, M-Zet and APT, director Tony Reyes takes the established legacy of Vic Sotto’s successful Enteng franchise films, adds the elements of former Sen. Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon and the triumvirate’s Iskul Bukol TV hit series from the ‘80s, and places itself firmly in the race for top grosser of this year’s festival (I see the film and Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat vying for that accolade). It is entertainment with a capital E; adventure, comedy and nostalgia all rolled into one film, so that viewers of any age will potentially enjoy their movie outing. Parents will remember the colorful TV series and regale in rediscovering the Escalera Brothers and Mr. Ungasis, while the teenagers and young children can just sit back and enjoy the broad comedy and adventure yarn.

The movie opens with Vic (Ungasis) acting the role of intrepid archaeologist in the mold of Indiana Jones, relic hunter and adventurer. Of course, his deadpan sarcasm and signature nonchalance is on display for our enjoyment. He recovers relics that have to do with Philippine history and bumps into the Escalera Brothers upon his return to Manila. They are, true to character, still incorrigible slackers and scam artists, and thanks to marrying into money and now established widowers, have moved up in the world. All three bring their real-life sons (Gian Sotto, Oyo Sotto and Keempee de Leon) into the movie — this to the obvious delight of the audience. We are then introduced to the Japanese mob boss (Jacky Woo) and his moll, Brenda (Francine Prieto), and the plot thickens as they conspire to steal the artifacts that Vic has brought back to the Philippines.

A trip to Cambodia and a Filipino family that lives there, brings into the story the young boy (Robert Villar) in said family and the mute Cambodian who takes care of him (Ryan Agoncillo). Interspersed into this adventure saga is the plan of Miss Tapia (Mely Tagasa) to bring about a reunion party for Wanbol University — and here is where the nostalgia and comedy kicks in — I won’t spoil the surprise cameos that abound in the segment, and will just say that in the same manner that the Enteng series would use footage from the TV series to enhance the nostalgia aspect, so do we find scenes from Iskul being flashed on the screen.

 The ensemble cast and cameos make up for the threadbare plot; and the likes of Carlene Aguilar, Pauleen Luna, Sharon Cuneta, Benjie Paras, all add to the celebration aspect of this type of filmmaking.

 The aim of the movie is to simply entertain; and give moviegoers of all ages a wonderful two hours of mirth and laughter. Judging from the audience I watched the movie with, they have accomplished that with great success. It may have taken 20 years to get this three back together onscreen, and hopefully, it won’t take that long for the next chapter. Comedy this pure and distinctly Filipino is always welcome.