Maria Synopsis
She began “Maria” with a heart-pounding and chilling scene: a woman discreetly entering a sprawling mansion, only to eradicate/silence, a mother and boy and push the final nail, a gunshot, bringing forth blackout. This opening scene is potent, prologue sets the tone for what, on the surface seems to be a brutal and straightforward action thriller.
In a new “start” to life, Maria is now Lily, living a joyful life with husband Bert and daughter Min Min. Their calm and peaceful routine is shattered when, an outing exposes Lily, now Maria, to Kaleb, a former predator. Kaleb sets in motion a haunting chain of events.
Once Kaleb’s menacing force starts casting literal shadows over California, Maria’s calm existence is clinically disassembled in an explosive assault, lethal to Bert, and realizing contact with her former self was over. Grief driven fury, she sheds her everyday and protective “mundane” attire to the disguise of a lethal assassin to reclaim Min-Mind and exact revenge.
Sir Greg, an old mentor interspaced her, and while he tests her resolve by refusing to get personally involved, aids Maria by “offering” her “Necessary” items of aid, both armaments and emotional support to enable her to openly defy the foe. Coldly consigned with “fighting” garb meant for troops and determined to the bone, Maria embarks on a relentless offensive against the cartel syndicate that shattered her existence.
Her pursuit culminates in violent encounters, including a nightclub battle where she eliminates gunmen in a blaze of gunfire and fights Kaleb’s accomplice Miru in a bloody skirmish in the restroom. In the last act, the dockside ambush has Maria defying impossible odds as she fights and kills Kaleb in a violent and gory showdown. The movie ends with Maria and Sir Greg in a companionable silence, hinting at the onset of peace after vengeance.
Cast & Crew
At its core, Maria is anchored by a solid ensemble.
Cristine Reyes as Maria/Lily – A former assassin whose life is almost peaceful, but is disrupted by the past she is trying to escape. Reyes shines in portraying the role, balancing fierce action capability with emotional vulnerability.
Germaine De Leon as Kaleb – The antagonist and former partner of Maria whose return to the picture is the center of conflict.
KC Montero as Victor – Another key figure within the crimina network.
Ronnie Lazaro as Sir Greg – Maria’s mentor turned reluctant ally, supporting her in the shadows.
Joining as supporting characters, Freddie Webb, Guji Lorenzana, Johanna Rish Tongcua, Jennifer Lee, Cindy Miranda, Andrea Del Rosario, Miel Manalang, Johnny Revilla, and Ronnie Liang enhance the film’s criminal underworld and its personal circles.
Behind the scenes:
Lopez Pedring A. is the film’s director and also its co-writer and producer. He is responsible for maintaining the balance of the story’s emotionally poignant moments and its stylized acts of violence.
The screenplay was written by Yz Carbonell and Rex Lopez adapting from a story by Lopez.
The film is produced by Viva Films, BlackOps Studios Asia, and Psyops8. The movie was released in the Philippines in March 2019.
Like many contemporary Filipino films, it also runs for approximately 90 minutes. It was however, rated R-18 in the Philippines for its use of intense acts of violence and harsh ‘war’ language.
The look of the film is both gritty and sleek due to the cinematographic work of Pao Orendain. The film editing was done by Jason Cahapay, who also aims for a swift pacing. A blend of tension and emotion was set to the film by Jessie Lasaten, who composed the score.
Diong Fernandez is responsible for the production design, while prop and set decoration is done by Arnie C. Robiso. Costume design, which helps in defining the characters presence, is done by Armi Kushella Sanson.
Critical Reception & Analysis
The film Maria allowed for critics to explore a range of thoughts and ideas, many of which the viewers also had.
Strengths Mentioned by Most Reviewers:
Action choreography is the most consistently praised element. Fight scenes were tightly constructed and dynamically visual. They benefited from well-paced editing and clear stunt coordination. Some combat sequences employing long takes added immersion and visceral intensity. Cristine Reyes’ performance drew attention as a highlight because of her believable portrayals of the character’s emotions and the convincing physicality.
Common Criticisms:
The secondary focus on Maria’s central mission is critiqued by some as lacking originality since it borrows from a mix of revenge-thriller templates. Everyone ignored the dialogue which was also described as uneven and lacking serious tone.
Audience Perspectives:
Those who enjoyed the film tended to compare it to international hits like John Wick, but appreciated the distinctly Filipino setting and sensibilities. Maria, for them, was a standout example of local cinema embracing more competitive action filmmaking.
Some audience members, however, shared critical concerns around focus and momentum, wishing the film had streamlined its story to better complement the sharp action sequences, as well as the critically acclaimed choreography.
Conclusion
At its core, Maria remains a revenge thriller reimagined within the scope of Filipino action cinema. It intertwines action-packed set pieces with identity, maternal love, and a journey towards self-redemption. Cristine Reyes’ performance anchors the film, balancing emotional and physically intense portrayals. The direction conveys the action with a visceral immediacy that makes the viewers feel as if they are a part of the experience.
Although the film might not break new narrative ground, it seems to stand out among the modern genre cinema The Philippines has to offer due to the film’s polish. The intense choreography, striking visuals, and narrative might not break any new ground, but it’s polish makes it a stand out film. For viewers who enjoy the tale of transformation and overcoming adversity, where a quiet existence is upended but rebuilt with grit and skill, Maria presents an intense, unapologetically violent plunge from tragedy to retribution.
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