Stricken with fixable but unattended flaws, this new sexy-thriller feature from Roman Perez Jr. lacks the intrigue and the plot development needed to create an irresistible hook.
Viva Films
Actors: AJ Raval, Sean de Guzman, Jay Manalo, Soliman Cruz, Bob Jbelli
Genre: Sexy, Romance, Thriller
Premise: Ex-gang members and newlyweds Al and Liezl run away with a big bag of cash, but their ex-boss will go to the ends of the earth to find them. (Vivamax)
Running Time: 99 minutes
Director: Roman Perez Jr.
Watch it on: web.vivamax.net, Vivamax app
Why You Should See It:
Roman Perez Jr. had a spree of hits-and-misses–ala-Darryl Yap. But all thanks to Vivamax—who has an inspired vision for his latest sexy thriller feature, Hugas, but certain shortcomings have kept him from producing a satisfying product.
Hugas follows gangsters, Al (Sean de Guzman) and Liezel (AJ Raval), who both decided to abandon their gang and start a life of their own.
With them is the gang money, which their leader, Dencio (Jay Manalo), does not intend to lose. An intense cat-and-mouse chase ensues following their bid to escape.
Perez tries to craft Hugas with a curious design, albeit his script’s mundane structure; he can only do so much.
In one scene, the film tries to provide some sort of explanation on why it adopted its title, although it was only in the end that it became clearer why such a choice was made.
Graphic violence and erotic action are utterly common features, that it almost felt the film isn’t actually what it projects to be about.
That said, there are golden moments here and there, that proved there is substance to squeeze from the film’s convoluted plotline.
Both de Guzman and Raval have become among the staple faces of Vivamax, given the frequency of their appearances in the streaming service’s relentless streak of ‘bomba’ movies.
Here, nothing much to expect; Raval finds more ease in making her curves and ‘boobs’ do the acting, and de Guzman provides more intensity in every intimate encounter he pulls off with his partner.
Of the two, the latter has a better knack at delivering emotionally-charged lines, although he’s [most of the time] short of being adequate. Soliman Cruz has a compelling take on the religious but criminal Boyong, while Joko Diaz makes his brief appearance felt.
5 – Excellent
4 – Very Good
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – Terrible
You can now stream ‘Hugas’ on vivamax app or web.vivamax.net. Watch the official full trailer, below:
