Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut (2003)

Director:

Chito S. Roño

Writers:

Chito S. Roño (story) and
Roy C. Iglesias (story) ...

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Horror

Plot:

Taking from where they last left off, the Spirit Warriors stumble upon a black hole to the Netherworld...

Plot Keywords:

Spaniard | Vampire | Spanish Colonization | Spirit | Friendship

Cast

Vhong Navarro	...	Thor
Jhong Hilario	...	Buboy
Danilo Barrios	...	Red
Spencer Reyes	...	Jigger
Christopher Cruz	...	Ponce
Gloria Romero	...	Red's Lola
Jaime Fabregas	...	Harry
Roy Alvarez	...	Ponce's stepfather
Dexter Doria	...	Ponce's mom
Connie Chua	...	Babaylan
Daniel Pasia	...	Church caretaker (as Dan Pacia)
Marlou Aquino	...	Messenger / Harry's spirit guide
Marissa Sanchez	...	Thor's food crew partner
Warren Austria
Jonathan Granaderos	...	Stranger 1

Also Known As:

Spirit Warriors 2 (Philippines: English title) (pre-release title)
Spirit Warriors 2: The Short Cut (Philippines: English title) (festival title)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

Philippines

Language:

Tagalog | Filipino

Color:

Color

Certification:

Philippines:G

Filming Locations:

Biri Island, Samar, Visayas, Philippines

Company:

MAQ Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Game K N B: (2007-02-21)" (2007)

Entertaining funny horror adventure flick

I am not a fan of the Streetboys. I have not seen the first part, either. I watched the movie since it's for free (Thanks Marlon Jaro of Gaisano Mall of Davao cinema).

Five friends (the Streetboys - a popular teen dancing group in the Philippines) - met anew, obviously years after their last adventure (as I said I have not seen the first part so I can't link this one).

Red (Danilo Barrios), who arranged the meeting, urged his friends (played by Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Spencer Reyes, Christopher Cruz) to join him in finding half of a missing amulet - as requested by Harry (Jaime Fabregas) who offered them huge amount. But Red's troop refused, citing that they have already enough of their previous encounter with the other world. Red could have dropped the idea too. But Harry convinced him that only the amulet - once it would be fully restored - could heal his dying grandmother.

Feeling Red's predicament, the gang accepted the offer. They entered a hole - a shortcut - to the other world where they would search for the missing part of the amulet. They encountered lot of nightly creatures, until they reached their destinations where they have to fight their inner selves to gain the amulet. But their possession of the amulet was just the beginning of a bigger thrill, since Harry's demonic intention of possessing the amulet would spell Red's death.

The movie was named as the third best picture in Metro Manila Film Festival - Philippines, and it also grabbed two awards on technical aspect - for make-up and for special effect. They deserved the award. This horror-adventure flick was solidly made. The special effect was great.

While it was obviously a horror movie, there was no much blood and gore (it's for general patronage anyway). Yet, it still commands your loudest scream. Even if the plot is already ordinary and tiresome, the acting and directing was excellent. The non-looker Vhong Navarro was absolutely funny! He's first on the billing (ahead of Barrios - who's the center of the story). He deserved it, anyway.