SEN. BONG REVILLA and Director Mac Alejandre have come up with a real crowdpleaser in “
Ang Panday 2”, which is definitely an improvement over the first one in terms of story, pacing, action set pieces and special effects. There are some attempts at comedy that fall flat but as a whole, it’s definitely worthseeing. The sequences showing the dragons (not just one or two but a multitude) flying in the air is a sure treat for kids. We watched the press preview with our granddaughter Victoria and she kept on clapping her little hands all throughout the movie, a sure sign that she’s enjoying it. She particularly enjoyed Flavio’s climactic final battle with Lizardo transformed into a giant scorpion and
Marian Rivera (who looks so enchanting and lovely in most of her scenes) then transforms into the dragon Bagwis to help Flavio defeat Lizardo. See
Marian Rivera's pictures in Panday.
Philip Salvador once again goes to town with his over-the-top portrayal of Lizardo but it’s Lorna Tolentino who nearly steals the movie as the evil witch (hardly recognizable in her prosthetic make up) who brings back Lizardo from the dead. Lorna is unspeakably ugly throughout most of the movie, so the sequence near the end where she’s suddenly transformed into her beautiful self comes as a stunning surprise. It’s also an indication that there will be a “Panday 3” and Lorna’s Buruka will be one of Flavio’s chief enemies next time.
Another twist in the plot is Maria Makiling (Iza Calzado) getting pregnant at the end and viewers are not sure who’s the father of the child in her womb: Flavio or LIzardo. This is another plot element we’ll have to watch out for in the next sequel that according to Sen. Bong is scheduled for 2013.
