This review may contain spoilers
Encantadia 2016 - A Modern Twist on a Filipino Fantasy Classic
Encantadia 2016, a Filipino fantasy series and a reboot of the cherished Encantadia 2005, has garnered immense popularity among Filipinos. While the original holds a special place in everyone's hearts, the 2016 rendition manages to breathe new life into the narrative, offering improved cinematography and a respectful portrayal of the iconic characters - Amihan, Pirena, Alena, and DanayaAcknowledging the irreplaceable nature of the original, the 2016 version introduces both commendable and questionable deviations from the 2005 plot. Notably, the fate of Amihan's character takes a surprising turn, as she remains alive in the 2005 version but meets an unexpected demise in 2016, attributed to the actress's real-life pregnancy. Another significant alteration involves the love triangle between Alena, Ybrahim, and Amihan, transforming it into a more captivating storyline compared to the original.
While I admired the 2016 version, the death of the major character Amihan took a toll on the way the stories unfolded. Amihan, being a highly significant character, exits Encantadia, making the middle to ending episodes somewhat dull as her presence lingers. Many viewers, including myself, were disappointed with the departure of a character that had such a profound involvement in the story.
The acting, while not surpassing the excellence of the original cast, is praiseworthy. Standout performances come from Glaiza de Castro as Pirena and Kylie Padilla as Amihan. Their on-screen dynamic, especially the intense interactions between Pirena and Amihan, resonates with palpable angst, showcasing surprising and compelling performances. Glaiza's established acting skills are evident, while Kylie's portrayal in this series stands out as her most impressive work to date.
Encantadia 2016 comes highly recommended, not only for Filipino audiences but for a global viewership. A modest wish remains for GMA Network to provide proper English subtitles, enhancing accessibility for an international audience eager to experience this captivating series.
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This review may contain spoilers
For those shippers of Ibarro-Amihan team up, this is for you.
Once you get passed the part where it's parallel with the story of the OG Encantadia series then you'll be ok with the rest. Specially with the advancement in film making, of course this one would have better visuals. The creators of the show made this one with a neater storyline. They cut short some unnecessary storyline while some are explored extensively.Just like with other fantaseryes, this too had a lot potential. Like how they introduce the chosen few to be the new protector of Encantadia. Sadly it wasn't explored enough. After watching the whole show, I felt like it was a wasted opportunity. Or maybe not, because there would be a new season this 2022.
The shippers of Ibaro-Amihan team up would also like this version a lot better than the OG.
Production was big as the story demands of it. With veteran and newbie actors who gave their roles enough justice. While with the musicality; the original music and sound scoring, I think I prefer the original OST.
I don't think I prefer this one over the OG, or vice versa. I think both has its own appeal and flaws. Both are worth watching.
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