Introduction
Feng Shui 2 is a 2014 Filipino horror comedy film directed by Chito S. Roño. It is a sequel to the 2004 blockbuster hit Feng Shui and stars Kris Aquino, Coco Martin, and Kim Chiu. The film is set in Manila during the Spanish colonial era, exploring the idea of karma and fate as it relates to a cursed mystical item – the Bagua mirror – that brings catastrophic or extraordinary events based on the benevolent deeds of its holder. The movie puts an interesting twist on the traditional Chinese philosophical practice of feng shui by having certain characters possess immense supernatural powers, capable of bending time and space whenever their minds are stirred with intervention from unseen forces. Despite being comical in nature at times, it contains strong messages about morality, spiritualism, and Filipino culture which adds to its overall value.
Synopsis
Feng Shui 2 is a Filipino horror-thriller about the events that unfold when a young family moves into a cursed old house.
The movie follows Ferlyn (Annli Alcovendaz), a young mother and talented architect who recently acquired her dream home for her family. It’s seemingly perfect, with all the features Ferlyn needs to provide for her beloved husband Stroy (AJ Dee) and daughter Amanda (Rachel Coates). But unbeknownst to them, the house is haunted by an ill-willed spirit from its previous occupant – Joaquin Ramos, an ex-convict with a troubled past whose death has left him stranded in limbo seeking vengeance against anyone who inhabits his old home.
When mysterious supernatural occurrences start to take place in their new home, including unexplainable sounds and moving objects, Stroy begins to grow suspicious of this creepy house and decides to look into its dark history. This leads him on an investigation of Joaquin’s life before his untimely death, discovering along the way that this spirit’s thirst for revenge may know no bounds. Despite being terrified by what they discover, Ferlyn, Stroy and Amanda decide to face this malevolent spirit while struggling between saving their new home and protecting themselves from danger. With their lives now at stake, will they be able to best Joaquin and keep their family safe?
The Characters
The protagonists of Feng Shui 2 are a group of characters connected by fate and their need for revenge. The main protagonist is a Manila cop named Joy, who’s out to seek justice for her late father who was killed by an ancient Chinese curse. Her inner strength propels the story forward as she teams up with a mysterious old man called Fernando and his granddaughter Sunshine, who share a secret knowledge of the forbidden art of Feng Shui. They are soon joined by another character called Buwitre, an ex-gang member seeking redemption from his dark past and longing for justice for himself and his family.
The antagonists in Feng Shui 2 come in two different flavors – the supernatural forces that have disturbed the balance of nature, and the flesh-and-blood villains driven by greed and power. The supernatural forces take on human forms in two powerful sisters called Akiko and Madra, both descendants from an ancient Chinese curse seeking to regain control over Earth’s destiny. Their actions trigger a series of events that push Joy and her team closer towards their goal. The fruitless quest for money and power is represented by Ulayaw, a rich politician who will do whatever it takes to obtain what he desires – even if it means destroying everything Joy holds dear.
The cast list also includes numerous supporting characters whose roles serve to further propel the story – such as Father Mondo, Tiyago, Aquaso Atiaban, Ponggol, Lolo Dencio, June Marie Rico amongst others each having their own impact on events as they unfold throughout the movie. All these characters combine to present an engaging story full of action, suspense and emotion set against a backdrop of ancient mysticism steeped in Eastern culture.
Cinematography
Feng Shui 2 is the sequel to the horror film, Feng Shui. It was released in 2014 and earned a great deal of praise for its cinematography. The film utilizes various cinematic techniques to create a moody atmosphere and suspenseful scenes, adding to its spine-tingling overall effect.
The first technique that is used in Feng Shui 2 is the use of low-angle shot composition. These shots serve to highlight the characters in the foreground while also setting up an ominous sense of foreboding. Furthermore, these photos help to imply a sense of danger lurking off-screen by obscuring some elements in the background. Additionally, this cinematic technique adds tension and power to some key moments throughout the film.
Another technique used in Feng Shui 2 is camera movement. Instead of staying focused on stationary shots, many sequences will make use of tracking shots which keep a focus on two or more characters that are moving through space as a way of emphasizing their dialogue or actions as well as helping set up suspenseful moments for when inevitable jumpscares occur.
Lighting also plays an important role in the movie’s look and feel, with varied lighting setups being used depending on what atmosphere needs to be conveyed at any given moment – from clearly lit rooms where the underlying tension can still be felt, all the way to tall shadows disguising what could be present within them. Finally, there are also multiple slow motion sequences which add intensity and weight to specific moments in time, increasing viewer engagement as they bear witness to certain pivotal events taking place.
Themes and Messages
Feng Shui 2 is a 2014 horror-comedy film directed by Chito S. Roño and starring Kris Aquino. The plot of the film centers on Joy a woman who discovers her unlucky streak is connected to a tragic curse, so she enlists the help of a feng shui expert to reverse her luck and rid her family of the curse. On its surface, this movie might appear to simply be another horror-comedy that takes advantage of some Asian culture – in this case, specifically focusing on Feng Shui as a source of supernatural power – for entertainment value. But upon closer examination, the movie has several underlying messages about self-empowerment, determination, and resilience that are addressed through the plot and characters within it.
The theme of self-empowerment is especially evident throughout. Joy’s character starts out miserable due to believing herself cursed with bad luck and has little control over her life. Yet by learning more about the power of feng shui and taking steps to better understand relationships with those around her, she slowly gains more control until eventually being able to improve her luck instead of remaining trapped in it as she was before. Her ability to take matters into her own hands adds weight to the message that no one needs to feel powerless or dependent on outside forces—they can make their own luck without relying on superstition or fate.
Another theme highlights the power of determination when facing difficult challenges or odds; despite enduring trial after trial in attempting to heal not just herself but also those she cares about from their unfortunate stints with bad luck, Joy never wavers in her mission which ultimately leads to success against unbelievable circumstances like ghosts becoming tangible beings right out of an object’s cleavage! This element accentuates how resilience mixed with optimism is key when striving towards achieving goals—no matter how seemingly insurmountable they may be.
Overall, there’s much more than meets the eye in regards to the core ideas behind Feng Shui 2; beneath its entertaining structure lies meaningful concepts about self-empowerment and optimistic resilience regardless of one’s current circumstances – proving that even seemingly shallow films can explore important topics such as these if one looks past the surface level interactions between characters and storylines presented.
Impact and Reviews
Feng Shui 2, a horror-comedy movie directed by Ace Mendoza and starring Jennlyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Matteo Guidicelli, Jake Cuenca and Coleen Garcia, was released in 2014. The movie quickly gained traction due to its mix of comedy, horror and drama.
The movie was generally well-received by critics with many highlighting the quirky characters and the tension that this mix of genres created. Variety gave it a positive review, saying “it’s a blast of sight gags and palpable chills which hits just the right balance.” While Reuters wrote: “the performances are adequate for the script’s commentary on Feng Shui superstition as an open door for ugliness.”
Overall critical reaction to the movie was very positive. People found humor in the suspense and illustrations of supernatural elements like powers from talismans allowing heroes to solve human matters beyond the natural realm from their supernatural level. This often drew comparisons to Hong Kong cinemas’ old-fashioned themes but, aside from that, audiences enjoyed watching Feng Shui 2 for its unique blend of genres—one not typically seen in Filipino films at that time. Other critics praised how genuine relationships were between characters despite them being supernatural themes; emotions like friendship between humans and immortals shone through which made viewers emotionally identify with them more effectively than normal horror movies can do.
Takeaways
Feng Shui 2 has had a large cultural and social impact since it was released in 2014. Many people have watched this movie and felt inspired to make positive changes in their lives, resulting in better relationships, more success in their careers, and even gratitude for the little things. Additionally, there has been a rise in the popularity of feng shui as many people have experienced not just the tangible results but also the spiritual benefits that accompany this practice.
The movie has resonated with a wide variety of audiences. It is not limited to just those who practice feng shui; movies-goers from all walks of life have connected to its message promoting intentional living and “finding one’s true north” as a pathway to inner peace. With its eclectic soundtrack featuring traditional folk music to modern indie bands, Feng Shui 2 has served as a reminder for viewers across generations that meaningful change can begin within each individual.
Aside from inspiring personal growth through feng shui principles, the movie has sparked conversations on the use of ancient wisdom to navigate day-to-day life. Feng Shui 2’s unique blend of comedy, drama, and philosophy has enabled viewers to delve into core topics such as friendship dynamics and purposeful living while still being entertained by vivid scenery and a captivating storyline. In addition, some have found an impetus for professional development due to what they’ve learned about creating one’s own narrative instead of blindly allowing conventionality or current trends guide them down a predetermined path.
Conclusion
The release of the 2013 movie Feng Shui2 was a watershed moment in the development of Philippine cinema. It achieved both critical and commercial success, leading to a revival of interest in Filipino horror films. By introducing complex characters and high production values, Feng Shui2 disrupted tired tropes and opened up new possibilities for the genre. The movie presented a sophisticated take on classic horror motifs and demonstrated that horror as a filmmaking style has potential for both mainstream appeal and artistic legitimacy. On top of that, it sparked conversations about how Filipinos view horror stories, whether it is as simple entertainment or if there could be more philosophical meaning behind the disturbed visions presented on screen. Ultimately, the success of Feng Shui2 allowed room for improvement and growth within the Filipino film industry, signalling a changing tide for how local audiences perceive horror films.
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