Random Review: The return of our ’90s OG film series ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll Extreme’
The Shake Rattle & Roll film series, a staple in Filipino cinema, returns with its latest installment, “Shake Rattle & Roll Extreme.” While it didn’t make it to the MMFF lineup this year, the film delivers an extreme dose of scares, blood, and entertainment just in time for the holiday season.
GLITCH:
The anthology kicks off with “Glitch,” a tale that explores the dark side of lost media and creepy online videos. Despite a somewhat generic turn into haunted house territory, Iza Calzado’s knockout performance and a memorable dark scene make this episode a good start. The demon as a goat hosting a children’s show is inherently creepy and brought in nostalgia that helped stir emotions.
RAGE:
“Rage” takes a swing at the zombie survival story by introducing an interterrestrial virus that turns people violent. While it stumbles with pacing and a predictable ending, the episode compensates with a violent, visceral, and gory mess that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Jane de Leon shines, proving herself as a badass in the midst of chaos. “Rage” is a tense ride with concepts worth exploring.
MUKBANG:
Saving the best for the middle, “Mukbang” stands out as the highlight of the film. Balancing comedy and horror, it cleverly satirizes social media culture while delivering a bloody and campy feast. The ensemble cast, featuring Esnyr and AC Bonifacio’s scene-stealing banter, makes this episode a crowd-pleaser. Despite a chilling climax, “Mukbang” is a mukbang you never want to be invited to but can’t look away from.
Overall Verdict: A Welcome Comeback
After a nine-year hiatus, Shake Rattle & Roll makes a welcome comeback with Extreme. While it has different flavors delivered by the three individual episodes, the film delivers intensified scares, a stacked ensemble, and heightened entertainment. Directors Richard Somes, Jerrold Tarog, and newcomer Joey de Guzman brought their unique flavors to each episode, offering a variety of horror experiences.
Whether it’s the techno-horror of “Glitch,” the violent romp of “Rage,” or the dark-sided comedy-horror feast of “Mukbang,” Shake Rattle & Roll Extreme has something for every horror aficionado. We have to give it an A for effort and leaves us eagerly anticipating more from this revived local series in the digital age.
