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At first, Chief of the bomb squad Titus Verano (Cesar Montano) thinks that it is Carlos Alejo
(Behn Cervantes), the rabid radical, who is behind the bombings taking place in the city. But he knows that the anti-government rebel has been in prison for some time. Soon
enough, he gets calls from Remo Doce (Christopher de Leon), the present bomber, who says he is continuing the work of his master and trainor. At the same time, a bomb goes off
in a school, hurting some children. This is Remo's way to convince journalist May (Sunshine Cruz), whose son studies there, to spring Alejo from his incarceration. Her father
is the jail warden. For what reason does Doce want his mentor freed? Are all his terrorist acts directed towards his revolutionary objectives?
The concentration of the two-hour story is on two long firefight sequences and the number of
occasions Varona has to race against time to find and deactivate the planted bombs. The attention and time given to these has affected the intelligible development of motives
and events, for instance, of Remo Doce, a central character. His verbalized reasons for his actions differ from what are indicated by his behavior. There is even a surprise
purpose that develops towards the story's end, to tie up his whole conduct. But what is obvious to viewers is that, in the end, the movie is about the battle of wits between
Titus Varona and Remo Doce. As their roles are linear, Cesar Montano and Christopher de Leon are unable to show their acting ability. Since they have such lengthy exposure,
supporting actors have minor and brief roles. In spite of this, Behn Cervantes manages to show he is good as Alejo. Though intended to be serious, some of the fight scenes
look comical. The men, especially Varona versus Doce, do not seem able to wound or kill each other, even at close range.
Although hardly any bloody visuals are shown, there are killings "galore", of individuals, and
in numbers. For instance, Remo has a police woman (Patricia Javier) stripped naked, attached to a complicated series of bombs, lying in the middle of a cemetery during a heavy
downpour. Varona does not have time to find the right wires to cut. The bomb goes off, blowing up the victim. It is to action films, as this one, that some fathers are likely
to bring their young sons. The problem with such movies are the killings, aggression, revenge; the blurring of lines between whether it is defensive or offensive action. The
difference between what is right and wrong, permissible or not permissible become unclear. Thus CINEMA rates this for viewers 14 and above who are able to see these movies
with some awareness.
(Date reviewed: June 1, 2001)
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