'Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang' was a Solid Drama...

There is something in me that translates appreciation towards the nobility of the efforts of horror filmmakers in the Philippine silver screen in the recent memory. That is a certain thing to be happy about and as I always--almost always--say, "it's a start, yes?".

However in this recent upgrade of the genre, 'Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang' failed to bring all of the shocks that supposed to come along with its premise.

Corazon (Erich Gonzales) is a wife of a locale, Daniel (Derek Ramsey). The two only desires to start their family but fate seemed to be dismissive for five years and declined to give them a child. Corazon, still determined, tries ways so they could have their own child. She went to a known female in the barrio, and was advised to faithfully pray for the blessing they (Corazon and Daniel) always wanted.

Corazon finally gets to bear a child however fate is still not looking back at them and the baby is dead once it comes out of her. Corazon's sanity is tested and ultimately, her humanity, her love towards Daniel and Daniel's towards her and faith towards God.

As far as its jaw-dropping cinematography and only it, is concerned, 'Corazon' is coming as an extravagant and  well-crafted film. It generates enough emotion to be considered as a solid drama and enough chills that twist your gut to find yourself feeling not seeing it but yo have to. However cinematography and emotions and chills aren't dead-ends of a movie review.

Here goes the negatrons against 'Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang.'

The movie is yes, a solid drama. The movie is stuffed with stirring emotions; everything almost served by Erich Gonzales. If there are co-stars to commend, they are Epy Quizon, playing a locale leading the workers in terms of decision making and a friend to the couple and Mark Gil playing the 'human' villain. Well, he turned out to be not. 

I forgot one thing: "Oh wait, this is a horror." and then I practically grimaced only to learn that the movie is drab of quality shocks.

The imagery is boss however the editing always felt choppy. Pacing isn't incredible but rather inconsistent. There are pretty much a bundle of scenes wherein the pacing is incredible then just drastically slows too much. This I believe what cheapened the movie.

The depiction of the origin of the Filipino myth was well explained and I won't be complacent about it. There is a great potential for debate for the confusion of a crazy woman and the traditional 'osuang'. But in my opinion, the movie depicts history in a half-witty and half-dumb manner--and no, I won't elaborate.

With such shoddy editing and inconsistent pacing; 'Corazon' thrives in serving one of the most chilling scenes (from Corazon's lunacy and beyond) of the year by far. It also thrives in shoving us confusion to our faces.