Magic Kombat is a 1995 Philippine sci-fi fantasy comedy film written and directed by Junn Cabreira. The film stars Smokey Manaloto and Eric Fructuoso, and centers around Mario (Manaloto) and Luigi (Fructuoso) as they are accidentally transported into a video game world and are forced to fight their way out of it. Many of the film's scenarios, sound effects and characters–including that of Mario and Luigi–were unauthorized parodies of Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter II and other video games popular in the Philippines during the 80s and 90s.[citation needed]
| Magic Kombat | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Junn Cabreira |
| Screenplay by | Al Marcelo |
| Story by | Junn Cabreira |
| Produced by | Edgar Abanilla |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Rudy Diño |
| Edited by | Rene Tala |
| Music by | Edwin "Kiko" Ortega |
Production company | Mahogany Pictures |
| Distributed by | Mahogany Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
It was one of the entries in the 1995 Metro Manila Film Festival.[1][2][3][4]
Plot
editWorking students Mario (Manaloto) and Luigi (Fructuoso), become recently-unemployed after an incident at a mall and struggle to make ends meet until they find employment as janitors and technicians at a school, where they get a chance to study.
When a video game character named Rio suddenly gets materialized into the real world during a gaming session by Mario on a stormy night, the Mario brothers along with their friend Diana set out to get Rio back to her home world, but things get complicated when Mario and Luigi are sucked into the video game realm instead of Rio. The two brothers are then forced to fight their way through each of the game's levels[a] and are later aided by Rio who made her way back to her home realm. After a final encounter with supernatural creatures in a cave, Mario and Luigi use the gems they retrieved from their previous encounters, unlocking the door which leads them back to the real world.
Back in their old job as janitors, Mario and Luigi chance upon a student who bears a striking resemblance to Rio.
Cast
edit- Smokey Manaloto as Mario
- Eric Fructuoso as Luigi
- Dandin Ranillo as Janitor
- Beth Tamayo as Diana
- Joanne Pascual as Rio
- Sharmaine Suarez as Blanka
- Ernie Ortega as Samurai Man
- Aga Fazon as Gorilla
- Jan Cassie Espolong as Goko
- Cita Astals as School Dean
- Jaime Fabregas as Asst. Dean
- Francis Enriquez as Student
- Nonong de Andres as Albularyo
- Solita Carreon as Recruiter
- Cris Daluz as Uncle Teong
Awards
edit| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 21st Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Joanne Pascual | Nominated | [5] |
| Beth Tamayo | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Sharmaine Suarez | Nominated |
Notes
edit- ^ Loosely based on various popular video games such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II.
References
edit- ^ Tiongson, Nicanor (2010). The Urian Anthology: 1990–1999. University of the Philippines Press. ISBN 9789715426473. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ Red, Isah (December 28, 1995). "Love, Lust & Violence". Manila Standard. Philippine Manila Standard Publishing. p. 31. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Google News.
- ^ Japitana, Norma (December 27, 1995). "Carlo and His Heroes". Manila Standard. Philippine Manila Standard Publishing. p. 27. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Google News.
- ^ "Smokey, Jun topbill "Hostage Ko Multo"". The Philippine Star. March 11, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "The 1995 Metro Manila Film Festival". Video 48. October 7, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
External links
edit- Magic Kombat at IMDb