Felix Manalo

Felix Manalo is quite the unwieldy pedestal for such a beloved icon. The film is tight-fisted in its desire to sanctify its subject. It provides no opportunities for discourse except for the immense one its glamorized crafting suggests.

If the purpose of the film is to enlighten, then it has failed miserably because it only persists to reinforce an image that is far too rosy and romanticized to be taken with the same seriousness one affords any other biopic with more balanced perspectives.

If the purpose however is to stir a myth out of a man's life, then the film only succeeds partially, because it only aspires to be understood and celebrated by that section of society where doubt, suspicion and curiosity are frowned upon.

NOTE: I am a Non-INC member and I was open minded when I watched this movie.

A historical film which traces the origins of the religion, Iglesia ni Cristo. Two Guinness World Records holder.

Production design was good. The set feels what era the certain scene is in. Dennis Trillo as Felix Manalo is very applaudable. Other than that, it was very flawed. It fails cinematography, the visual effects and the storyline. It is a little disjointed and rushed and full of irrelevant scenes. Obviously religiously biased and failed to enlighten both sides. Inappropriately lengthy for this kind of movie.

I watched this with a friend who tried to convert me.

I kept an open mind that I may enjoy the movie. All I got was confirmation that iglesia ni cristo is indeed a cult.

I really did not like the movie. Too many well-known actors that does not fit the time relevance. It would have been better to pick just one famous actor that would portray Felix and cast a not so well known actors and actresses. The audience focuses on all the cast and the attention away from the movie. For example, when you watch Heneral Luna it became a hit because they placed the right actor who are actually not so well known.

I did not like the fact that INC are forcing and threatening the majority of their members to watch. If not, they will be suspended or possibly expelled.

As an exMember of this religious group (closer to a cult than anything), this movie was made only to boast of their money, prop up their current leader Eduardo Manalo, and function as a propagation tool to indoctrinate people.

Their record breaking numbers (Guinness Records) show their power of how they can manipulate/force/coerce their members to do what they will. Disguised as "giving God glory" in much the same way they manipulate the Philippine Government through bloc voting (forcing members to vote for the candidates who will grant them favor). When this launched in the USA, I remember our locale being obligated to rent a bus, and "sell out" the tickets even if people were not attending. We tried to even hand out tickets to people around the movie theater! No one wanted to watch this.

As a period piece, the set work and such were done well, but watching a film about some made-up bible hero was not fun.

If anything, this film's historical accuracy and inaccuracies poke more holes into the Iglesia Ni Cristo's fundamental doctrines about Felix Manalo being an Angel from God and the Last Messenger of God... which they use bible manipulation to insinuate this guy is greater than Jesus Christ.. and their current leader, Eduardo Manalo, is the most holiest and god-anointed person on the planet.

Recommend to watch it if you have questions about this religious group and then watch for how they manipulate the story and further manipulate them in your bible studies. 1 star cause that is the lowest it could go and do NOT recommend attempting to join this Filipino group. Zero stars.