Entertainment

Fan or not, you should watch Netflix’s ONE PIECE

This is how live-action anime adaptions should be done

Published

September 5, 2023

MJ Jucutan

Spoiler Warning: If you haven’t seen Netflix’s ONE PIECE, please read with caution.

I’ve always loved Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece since I was a sprite-like hooman. I grew up excited every morning to watch Luffy’s adventures before I played Pokémon on my Game Boy Color. Millennials, where you at?

Even growing up, I kept tabs on One Piece‘s story by catching up on the manga and watching the animé. I still preach to people to find the time to keep up with the 1000+ episodes and chapters.

So when Netflix announced the live adaptation of the beloved manga, my friends and I were a bit excited and scared. Live-action adaptations tend to suck, let’s be real about it.

Sometimes, we just want our favorite series to remain faithful to the story we’ve always known. The only thing that pacified us was knowing that Eiichiro Oda also had his hands in producing the series.

Before I get nitpicky, I’d say showrunners Matt Owens and Steven Maeda did a good job. As a creative director, I believe that turning a fantasy series with lore-heavy two-dimensional characters into life-like films is quite an onerous challenge to pull off.

Bringing the characters to life

Having Oda all aboard the production of his beloved manga is a good chess move that prevented this adaptation from flunking like other Netflix’s live-action films.

They were able to give justice to the portrayal of characters, starring an ensemble cast starting with Iñaki Godoy to depict Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy. A naive, optimistic young man who dreams of becoming the next Pirate King.

Godoy had the approval of Oda when he was cast. This surprised a lot of fans knowing that Luffy was the most difficult character to portray. After all, he’s an excessively smiling freak who looks dumb and thinks with his stomach. (And sometimes, with his heart).

Roronoa Zoro was also perfectly captured, and I say this as a Zoro-stan, Mackenyu is the perfect actor for the role. The Japanese actor is a heartthrob who stole the show, exuding the cool, nonchalant yet mysterious vibe that Roronoa Zoro exhibits even in the original series.

Jacob Romero Gibson portrayed Usopp, a pathological liar and sharpshooter, and Taz Skylar looked hot portraying the ever-handsome and gentlemanly yet foul-mouthed cook Sanji.

Emily Rudd, for me, has the most challenging role. She’s portraying Nami, the Straw Hat’s navigator and treasurer. It was a critical role since Nami’s story which ended in the East Blue saga was how most One Piece‘s fans fell in love with the series.

Rudd captured the cynical, frigid personality of Nami yet she failed to show the right emotions that would pull strings on the audience’s hearts. Some friends believe they still gave justice to that one particular, emotional scene in the last episode. However, I digress. I believe it lacked gravity in portraying how severe the situation is.

Getting it right

What I liked about Netflix’s ONE PIECE is how it brought to life the story I grew up with. While fans have expressed dismay long before the series even aired, I loved that the adaptation felt like a bridge between new and old fans, and people who have yet to discover the wonder of One Piece.

Visual effects are heavy, especially for a fantasy series. When my friends and I were watching it after our game night, I saw the complete astonishment in their faces when Luffy stretched his arms. Sticking to the magic of a manga/animé can be quite tricky, but Netflix pulled it off.

There was so much effort put into recreating the places, scenes, and overall vibe to remain faithful to the story. The first season tackled the first saga, which was the formation of Straw Hat Pirates in East Blue.

It was evident what Netflix’s ONE PIECE was all about. The series is being put out to reach a wider audience to be charmed by the story and its characters.

It felt short, though. The East Blue Saga in the anime covered 40+ episodes, which was shrunk to fit into eight episodes for the first season. Each arc was covered for at least two episodes each, diving into different narratives of each Straw Hat pirate member.

The good, the bad, and the crispy

Regardless of the pacing, Netflix highlighted all the important details of the story. Although, they removed some of the chuckles, constant annoyance, and witty banter between members.

I think that’s what got lost in translation. The bond they created while sailing together contributed to the emotional attachment between the characters and the viewers.

We know what they went through, what they’re going through, and how they all got entangled with each other’s lives. It’s true that they have each other’s back, teaching us the complexities of friendship — both in the anime and the adaptation.

As a fan, it was disappointing to see the lack of intensity in scenes that would cause you to break into tears. I did get goosebumps from certain lines and hearing the music accompaniment, though. But I was really looking for that tug in my heart that made me obsessed with this series for the past two decades.

Nevertheless, Netflix’s ONE PIECE is a show that can be enjoyed by ~literally~ anyone. Die-hard fans may keep on nitpicking and gatekeeping their beloved show, but this live-action series is a magnificent adaptation worthy of watching.

Go after your dreams

The story may have been all about being a pirate and clashing with the Marines, but only if you’ve seen the surface. Just like the oceans they cross, the series is quite deep. It tackles life, dreams, hope, survival, fear, and of course, friendship.

It’s what made me fall in love with the story; the highs and lows of the raging seas they travel on and the adventures of not knowing what’s next.

One Piece, both as a manga, anime, and live adaptation, pushes its audience to be spontaneous and go after their dreams. The Straw Hat pirates are a reminder that even when the odds aren’t in your favor, you’ll always find a breakthrough.

Even if you feel like your dreams are hard to reach, there are people who will stand by you. One day, you’ll find your own crew and you’ll get to be who you want to be.

Netflix, in a way, pursued its dream to finally create a live-action adaptation that gets it right. It’s surreal, magnificent, and wonderful in all aspects albeit with some hiccups that can be overlooked.

After all, it’s an enjoyable watch. It’s far from being a masterpiece, but it’s an example of how production companies should do live adaptations.

Just like in One Piece, it’s not just a new era of Pirates. It’s a new era of live adaptations, and Netflix has already set sail.

ONE PIECE is now streaming on Netflix.

Entertainment

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes showing on May 8

The 4th film under the reboot franchise

Published

April 26, 2024

GadgetMatch

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is coming to Philippine cinemas on May 8 for IMAX, 4DX, and 2D. It is the fourth installment of the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise, and the sequel to 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”

The upcoming action sci-fi is directed by Wes Ball. It features a new timeline where the apes are the dominant species. It is set several generations after Caesar’s reign. For those who have followed the reboot trilogy, the film’s story is set up by the simple question “What has happened since Caesar’s death?”

Proximus Caesar, played by Kevin Durand, is the apes’ new leader in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” In this timeline, humans have also regressed into primitive beings. Yet, things aren’t going smoothly for the apes. Proximus is apparently thirsty for power. He is determined to do everything to conquer the entire world, even if that means wreaking havoc on human species.

That’s where young chimpanzee hunter Noa (Owen Teague) and wise orangutan Raka (Peter Macon) conspire to uncover the truth behind Proximus’ unvirtuous intents. Noa will eventually meet a feral human named Mae (Freya Allan). Mae is being hunted by Proximus’ forces for her intelligence.

When Noa finds out that Proximus has been brainstorming everyone, he resents and tries to lead others in a battle to preserve the future for both apes and humans.

Entertainment

May 2024 movie checklist: Back to Black, The Fall Guy, IF, more

Plan your next movie trip

Published

April 24, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

Summer season has been nothing short of scorching hot so far. One of the best ways to cool down? Sit comfortably inside a cozy cinema and enjoy watching a movie. To help you plan your next movie trip with friends, family, your loved ones, or even just alone, here are May 2024’s upcoming titles.

There are lots of movies to choose from, covering different genres like action thriller, comedy, horror, and drama. from family-friendly comedies to nerve-wracking horrors, from an Amy Winehouse biopic to the latest installment in a popular franchise, May 2024’s lineup has it all.

Feel free to chow down on popcorn and flush it with ice-cold soda if you want to.

The Fall Guy (May 1)

Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and Stephanie Hsu team up for an action comedy film loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name.

Gosling plays protagonist Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman who has endured a near career-ending accident. Colt’s ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, is played by Blunt. Moreno is working with Taylor-Johnson’s character Tom Ryder for her directorial debut. However, Tom goes missing, and that’s where Colt volunteers to find the actor whom he apparently had also doubled a long time ago.

Tarot (May 1)

Filipino-American Jacob Batalon returns to the big screen, this time headlining a supernatural horror film. His character is part of a college group of friends, including Avantika, Harriet Slater, and Adain Bradley.

Like how most horror film stories develop, the group commits a reckless mistake when they violate the sacred rule of Tarot readings. Unknowingly, they unleash unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.

IF (May 15)

Real-life couple John Krasinski (writer, director) and Emily Blunt are back, this time exchanging thriller for a family-friendly live-action comedy. They are joined by a star-studded ensemble that includes Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carell, George Cloonney, Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper, and Blake Lively.

IF is about Blunt’s character who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends. She embarks on a magical adventure with that power to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids.

Monkey Man (May 15)

Dev Patel, who played Jamal in the revered Slumdog Millionaire film, makes his directorial debut in this action thriller. Monkey Man is about a man’s quest for vengeance against corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and victimize the poor and powerless.

Also the main protagonist Kid, Patel takes on the role of a vengeful monkey mask-wearing grown up who wants to exact revenge on Baba Shakti. As Monkey Man is also co-produced by Patel, it features a predominantly Indian cast in key roles in a story set in the South Asian country.

Back to Black (May 15, Ayala exclusive)

Back to Black is a celebration of the most iconic homegrown star of the 21st century. The film chronicles the life and music of the late Amy Winehouse. Viewers will get to know more about Winehouse’s family background, her path to success, as well as her demons. Marisa Abela stars as Winehouse in the powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 22)

The fifth installment of the Mad Max franchise takes viewers back in time with a spin-off and prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. The film puts focus on a young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy). She is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa needs to survive many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland.

The Garfield Movie (May 29)

Lastly, everyone’s favorite Monday-hating, lasagna-loving cat is back for another outdoor adventure. Voiced by Chris Pratt, Garfield has a new journey to undergo in this animated film. This, after an unexpected reunion with his father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson). The fresh new story puts more focus on Garfield, Odie, and Vic, instead of him with Jon and Liz.

Entertainment

Transformers One trailer: Get to know Optimus Prime, Megatron’s origin stories

In cinemas September 18

Published

April 19, 2024

GadgetMatch

Paramount Pictures has released the trailer for Transformers One, the upcoming latest installment of the Transformers film franchise.

Before fans get excited for the Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover, this animated film focuses first on Optimus Prime’s relationship with his adversary, Megatron.

The origin story is set in Cybertron, long before the transformers land on earth in the chronological timeline.

The trailer reveals Optimus Prime’s previous name, Orion Pax. On the other hand, Megatron was previously known by D-16.

Joined by Elita-1 and Bumblebee, the two main protagonists journey to Cybertron’s surface, which hasn’t been explored beforehand due to the dangers it is said to have.

On the surface, the crew realizes that right away, but are bestowed the power to transform. After some figuring, they manage to utilize this ability to defend Cybertron from intruders.

Overall, the three-minute trailer gives a lighter and funnier vibe. That’s in contrast to the previous iterations where the story is more serious from the get-go.

The transformers’ appearance also looks simpler and more toned down, giving an old school feel which is appropriate, considering this movie is set an earlier time when Cybertron was more intact.

Transformers One is showing on Philippine cinemas on September 18. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee, and Scarlett Johansson.