Enrique Gil. Image from Instagram / Black Sheep
Enrique Gil‘s comeback movie “I Am Not Big Bird” (IANBB) finally dropped its trailer on social media platforms, garnering over 10 million views and comments across all platforms.
The big uproar stemmed from the movie’s “Filipino” humor that left viewers in various stages of amusement and shock, as well as awe at Gil’s natural acting skills.
In the two-minute trailer, Gil’s character Luis Carpio is shown being rejected by his girlfriend who called him “small, little,” and later being chased through a Thai market as he and his friends escape from a melee believing he is the missing “Big Bird,” a famous adult film star infamous for being well endowed.
IANBB is Gil’s big screen comeback after five years.
Many commenters said they have missed Gil whose last movie appearance was in the 2019 film “Alone/Together” with reel-and-real girlfriend Liza Soberano, and produced by ABS-CBN film arm Black Sheep, which is also co-producing IANBB alongside Anima Studios and Gil’s own Immerse Entertainment.
The production also worked with Epic Media for the local shoot and Thailand’s 185 Films for the overseas filming in Pattaya and Bangkok.
The humorous content in the comedy film’s trailer is bound to have viewers bursting into laughter, while at the leaving them shocked at Gil’s departure from his usual roles in the dramas and romantic comedies he had previously starred in.
The 31-year-old actor was praised for his versatility, while many were surprised that he is doing comedy for his comeback. There were also comments about Gil’s bravery for accepting a daring role that pokes fun at his character’s virility and found it “unexpected.”
“I want to make a film na gusto ko na kahit matanda na ako, paulit-ulit kong papanoorin at matatawa pa din ako, just to relax, have a good time and to de-stress. Ito yun,” Gil said of IANBB.
There were also comments about how the script was brave, fresh, bold, and not for the faint-hearted and conservative. Some noted that the film has a touch of Thai comedy hits. The production said they are aiming to bring back the comedy style from the 1990s and 2000s, the period where the story is set.
Just saw the I Am Not Big Bird trailer. Sksksksksksks the bravery of that script. Was laughing so hard at the concept 😂
— Miss KC 🌺 | In Her Siccadis Era (@fangh0rl18) January 20, 2024
Welcome back Enrique Gil.
Kaloka, trailer pa lang nakakatawa. Not for the fainthearted and conservative. Hahaha! https://t.co/uZnpxKb2VK
— dumplings x hopia (@dumplingsxhopia) January 19, 2024
Di ko inexpect na ang comeback ni Enrique e comedy. Tama to, para maiba naman sa usual image nya. Katawa pa mga kasama nya https://t.co/mjeIICM6Ks
— VaWong (@VMariners) January 20, 2024
“It’s really hard to do comedy these days,” film director Victor Villanueva said. The “Patay Na Si Hesus” director described his new movie as: “Hindi siya bastos … sabi nga nila, empowering siya.”
Many also noticed the extreme difference in Pepe Herrera’s role as a sketchy tour guide in IANBB from his character “Lods” in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box-office hit “Rewind.” Herrera encouraged the public to support the film by watching it at the cinema. “Mas masaya ang experience sa sinehan kasi magnified yung saya mo dahil nododoble siya ng tawa ng katabi mo eh,” he said.
Viewing habits have changed since the pandemic when movie theaters were temporarily shut down and the public turned to streaming platforms for entertainment. Even with restrictions already lifted, streaming giants such as Netflix, Prime, Disney, and HBO continue to give movie producers tough competition. And while the local movie industry appears to be experiencing a resurgence based on the box-office takes from the recently concluded MMFF, it remains to be seen whether Filipinos’ appetite for watching movies at the theaters anew will be sustained with next month’s anticipated increase in movie ticket prices.
Meanwhile, Gil’s movie brings back the 1997 Parokya ni Edgar hit “Please Don’t Touch My Birdie” as its theme. IANBB also stars Nikko Natividad and Red Ollero.
Many other comments, in Gen Z speak, said they were “seated” for IANBB which starts screening in cinemas nationwide on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.