Metro Manila (2013)

The critic praises the film as an expertly handled, engrossing story of family survival, with a particularly impressive ending. They single out the vivid capture of Metro Manila and John Arcila’s performance as standout strengths.

Wise recommends the film as socially aware world cinema with gripping crime-thriller elements. He praises Sean Ellis’s balancing of its disparate elements and the heist’s satisfying, unpredictable twist.

Wise finds the film poetic, honest and compellingly unpredictable. He praises its searingly realistic view of Manila and neatly scripted crime-story twists.

The critic calls it an excellent, compassionate thriller and moving morality tale. They praise how the richly detailed character development makes the eventual thriller payoff especially affecting.

O'Sullivan finds the film touching and persuasive overall, despite an ending that does not ring true. She especially praises the detailed city-life scenes and the lead performances.

The paywall prevents access to the critic’s verdict. It also obscures what the review singles out for praise or complaint.

Vishnevetsky finds the film derivative and uneven, with its first two-thirds bogged down by conventional drama. He praises the interactions between Oscar and his new armored-truck partner, which effectively set up the twisty final third.

Pendreigh describes a crime drama that shifts from social realism into a more violent thriller. He singles out the turn toward secret cash and lethal gunplay as a striking change in direction.

Johnston gives the film three out of five stars, indicating a mixed assessment. The available page text does not reveal what he singles out for praise or criticism.

The critic finds the film overlong and prone to cliché, though its blend of soap-opera melodrama and action caper offers some freshness. She praises its formal craftsmanship and visually exciting robbery scenes, while faulting its showiness and sentimentality.

Fujishima argues that the film relies on familiar immigrant-story clichés and lacks the curiosity of its Filipino setting. He gives some credit to its visual storytelling and emotionally weighty moral conflicts, but criticizes its predictable turns and last-minute twists.

Pape gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, praising its emotionally absorbing story of a family facing hardship. He especially singles out Jake Macapagal’s endearing performance as Oscar.

Wilkinson gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it Ellis’s strongest work to date. She praises its gripping narrative, poetic imagery and tight scripting, especially how the thriller elements build toward a carefully crafted conclusion.

The headline indicates a positive verdict, describing the film as enticing and memorable. The page content is blocked, so no further praise or criticism can be verified.