Darna

I strongly dislike this show not because of the cringe CGI effects which is understood but the material itself is really unfaithful from its original comics story. I feel offended as a reader. Inconsistency of Darna's costume is another issue for me. And that villains so called "EXTRAS" is not my cup of the tea. Maybe they just wanted to take people away from our traditional viewing experiences before (Yes, we had two versions already done for the last decades).

Despite of that, thanks for the actors who played their roles seriously - this is the good side. Jane De Leon is good pick for new Darna, Janella Salvador has charismatic appeal on portraying the most rival enemy of Darna but again, Unfaithful and Inconsistent made me not to watch the show already.

The message that we don't need superpowers to be heroes or villains makes this version outstand.

Darna has been my beloved childhood superhero since Angel Locsin and Marian Rivera. This 2022 series is entertaining as well - I will miss it. However, as a cinephile adult, I had a cycle of ups and downs in my experience. Let me analyze:

1. The Visual Effects

The only decent CGI here is the head snakes of Valentina (not the talking ones lol) - especially during close-ups. The snakes look more alive like in the style of the recent Medusas in Hollywood.

However, the rest of the effects are disastrous but still a significant improvement over the Phil shows in the 2000s. The show painfully struggled to produce a sci-fi fantasy under an inadequate time and budget.

2. The Cinematography & Action Scenes

If the show only had good cinematography, the cheap visual effects could have been forgivable. The camera shots during action scenes lack creativity. I wished they took inspiration from the intense/scary scenes from Resident Evil & X-men films. The show is more capable of doing drama than taking risks by leaving us with iconic battle scenes.

Jane de Leon had the most badass Darna transformation. Sadly, they didn't show a lot of the stone-swallowing scenes which are supposed to be a thrilling part during invasions.

3. The Editing

The editing is problematic with its awful transitions, an overdose of flashbacks and slow-mos, poor green screen effects, and needless recycling of scenes.

4. The Characterizations

The show boasts powerful performances coming from Regina, Robles, Noah, and Mayor Zaldy. The version of Valentina here turned into a very important character.

The minor characters still have the disease of campy/theatrical acting.

5. The Writing and Themes

These are the best elements of the series. The motivations, the antithesis/parallels/irony, and the complexity of the events/characters are well-written. It is just the rushed and lackluster executions that ruined the revelations.

The show provides effective messages of empowerment and unity, relevant allegory, and social and political commentary.

6. The Costumes/Wardrobe

Jane de Leon's costume has the best Darna design ever. And her eyes are just the most striking of all.

However, as compared to the earlier versions, this show has the lamest villain costumes and powers. No one of them is intimidating except Valentina.

Final Word: Darna deserves an expensive movie - it could become our first decent Filipino superhero film if ever. #Unitethe3Darnas.

Season 1 CGI was unrealistic and poor but I can notice that It improved in season 2. They keep making the story a loop, Valentina kills people to be more powerful, attacks Darna, Valentina gets hurt and escape and kills more people to attack Darna again but yet gets defeated and escapes once again.

I feel like their disrespecting the show and the characters because of the random storyline. It was poorly written and directed. Everytime Darna fights, it's always slo-mo. Did she even practice fighting BTS? All she does is punch, kick and use her powers she only focus on her poses. Darna also lacks common sense.

An inconsistent reason is when Darna steps on Valentina's snakes to hurt her but when polices shoot the snakes, Valentina doesn't get hurt? This makes no sense. Burgo is said to be a very powerful alien leader but with only 1 solidier (ishna)? There are too much extras, it's very unrealistic and unessesary.

The worst darna ever! I get regret for watching this shows! Only trailers are good but the real series is so bad and low quality! This shouldn't deserve world !class The casts are over-acting! The VFX are very low quality! The storyline is complicated and the series is repeated most scenes again and again! So, if you waste your precious time , you watch this! The villians are not scary but funny! At the end of the series, all people became extra is so disappointed! The writers are very stupid! If there were Mars Ravelo, I'm sure that he may cry after watching this because they destroy the Darna's being !!!

The reimagine version of Narda is by far the best among all adaptations. How she is characterized in this series provided her story with a richer context. The pacing is gentle and well written. While this version is far different from how Mars Ravelo originally visioned it way back in the (30s) 50s, the change is significant to the current generation. The different take to Valentina's character is also phenomenal. Jane de Leon is marvelous as Darna/Narda while Iza Calzado gave justice as the first Darna. Overall its good but I'll give it an impressive 9 out of ten because there's always room for improvement.