‘Victor Magtanggol’s’ visual effects draw praise, flak from viewers
Image: Facebook/Victor Magtanggol (@VictorMagtanggolGMA7)
Many fans of actor Alden Richards were excited and proud when the much-hyped action-fantasy series “Victor Magtanggol” came to the fore in July, with Richards emerging as the show’s titular hero out to protect the mortal world from evil and chaos.
It was an undertaking that saw Richards go to great lengths just to show how dedicated he is to the role, even taking up parkour training just to prepare for the scenes. Notable, too, was Richards’ commendation of the production crew, specifically in surpassing his expectations when it came to producing the visual effects of “Victor Magtanggol.”
Two months on, “Victor Magtanggol” remains steady in the teleserye race. As for the visual effects he lauded, many of his viewers agreed with his sentiments, taking to social media to praise the show. But not absent, too, were critics who pointed out inaccuracies and sub-par quality in the visual effects of the show on more than one occasion.
GMA Network shared a fight scene from Victor Magtanggol’s “Frozen” episode on Facebook last Aug. 31. The scene aired on Aug. 30 and showed Richards (Victor Magtanggol) embroiled in a fight scene with his enemies.
Netizens took to the comments section of the video, with some commending the show for its visual effects and others criticizing it for its seemingly sub-par quality and execution.
“I LOVE IT BRAVO!!! Amazing Hollywood special effects! Glad to know GMA fantaseryes are finally evolving now that it’s 2018! Love the original storyline too!!!” praised a certain Ari.
Victor Magtanggol: Paghanga ni Sif kay Hammerman | Episode 24
#VictorMagtanggol: Dahil sa angking galing at tapang ni Hammerman ay napahanga nito ng lubos si Sif.Watch more #highlight videos: https://bit.ly/2PRsg76
Posted by GMA Network on Friday, August 31, 2018
A certain Romnick, however, commented that the crew of “Victor Magtanggol” shouldn’t force using CGI (computer-generated imagery) effects if they couldn’t execute it well.
“Ok I get it.The idea is there but they just really can’t execute and materialize everything well because of low cost production,” wrote the netizen. “Solution? Wag na kasing pilitin kun di pa handa. Focus on better storyline that doesn’t require much of animation. Basic.”
“Eto na ba yung pinagmamalaki nila? Mas realistic pa yung gumagalaw na sticker effects sa IG stories eh,” added another Seb.
Meanwhile, another netizen on Sept. 4 took to Facebook to point out the inaccurate effects in the show. A certain Coy shared scenes from the Sept. 3 episode, “Meet the Regalados,” which showed a shooter pointing a sniper at Richards.
In the picture, a sniper’s eye can be seen being focused on Richards. However, the other photos show the shooter wearing shades with no sniper’s scope to look into.
“Victor ayoko na,” wrote the netizen. “I QUIT! GMA ANO NA! Mag rarally na talaga kame ng mga alaga kong langgam!”
Victor ayoko na.I QUIT! GMA ANO NA! Mag rarally na talaga kame ng mga alaga kong langgam! ./ Manunuod parin ako kasi ang cute ni Reese Tuazon gebye.
Posted by Coy Chopsuey on Monday, September 3, 2018
A certain Nico David, too, took to YouTube last Aug. 14 to analyze the CGI effects of the show, particularly a scene wherein Richards was shown catching a bunch of tomatoes with his shirt.
“Anong nangyare? Okay okay, CGI kamatis, sumalo ng CGI kamatis, hmm… Hindi ba may ginaya yan?” the netizen said in the video.
The netizen then showed a scene from “Spider-Man” wherein Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) caught the tray of MJ after she slipped in the cafeteria.
“CGI kamatis...” commented a certain Jon in the video. “Pwede namang wala ng CGI yung kamatis. Kaya namang saluhin yun eh. Yung sa Spiderman tray scene, hindi yun CGI, naka 156 takes sila bago ma-perfect yung scene na yun.”
Other viewers of “Victor Magtanggol” have taken to Twitter to air their own sentiments. A certain Kael (@benooooy) last Sept. 3 wrote that it seemed as if the rendering of the CGI wasn’t finished, and recommended that the crew just stick to traditional effects if the budget isn’t enough.
“Parang di man lang tinapos yung pagrender ng CGI sa ‘Victor Magtanggol’ kaya ganun yung nangyari. Walang sapat na budget? Wag na mag CGI. Stick to traditional effects. Sobrang weird kasi talaga ng half-cooked CGI promise.”
Parang di man lang tinapos yung pagrender ng cgi sa Victor Magtanggol kaya ganun yung nangyari. Walang sapat na budget? Wag na mag cgi. Stick to traditional effects. Sobrang weird kasi talaga ng half-cooked cgi promise.
— kael (@benooooy) September 3, 2018
Meanwhile, some netizens liked the visual effects of “Victor Magtanggol.” One Mirriam (@MirriamCana) commended the show for its effects, especially whenever Hammerman (Richards) arrives in the scene.
“Ganda talaga ng effects pag parating si Hammerman eh,” wrote the netizen on Sept. 6. “Galing *clap clap* #VMGargoyles.”
Ganda talaga ng effects pag parating si Hammerman e. Galing *clap clap*#VMGargoyles
— MirriamCana💙VictorMagtanggol (@MirriamCana_) September 6, 2018
A certain Jeff (@YesMrJeff) also came to the defense of the show last Sept. 3, saying that he liked the effects and story. He, too, wrote that people should just support local entertainment instead of criticizing it.
“[I don’t know] why some [people] dislike Victor Magtanggol,” wrote the netizen. “I like the effects and the story itself, why don’t we just support our local entertainment shows? Tapos sasabihin niyo, ‘Kaya walang pag-unlad sa Ph eh.’ Even just this show you do not support. [Shaking my head].” /ra
Idk why some ppl dislike Victor Magtanggol. I like the effects and the story itself, why don't we just support our local entertainment shows? Tapos sasabihin niyo "kaya walang pag-unlad sa Ph eh" even just this show you do not support. Smh. #VictorMagtanggol #skl
— j💎 (@YesMrJeff) September 4, 2018
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