A scene from the movie 'Battle for Terra'

An exciting action-packed animated sci-fi adventure, “Battle for Terra” is great entertainment especially if you’d watch it on 3-D. Terra is a beautiful planet that the last survivors of the human race, traveling in an old spaceship after destroying their own environment, want to invade as they need a new home. The Terrans are tadpole-looking creatures who float and respect nature. They love peace so they want to avoid war with the humans who plan to attack them.

Mala (voice by Evan Rachel Wood) is an adventurous Terran girl who captures an American pilot, Jim Stanton (Luke Wilson), while he’s on a mission to their planet. An unexpected and beautiful friendship develop between them. The main villain is Gen. Hemmer (Brian Cox), who wants to kill Terra’s inhabitants with a weapon that will make Terra’s environment livable only for humans. Other characters include the American president (Danny Glover), Stewart (Chris Evans), Jim’s warrior brother; Mala’s father who’s taken hostage by Hemmer (Dennis Quaid), Giddy (David Cross), Jim’s sidekick robot; and Senn (Justin Long), Mala’s best friend.

This is an indie production and does not come from more established animation companies like Pixar or Disney, but Director Aristomenis Tsirbas succeed in making it stand well with the best in this genre of computer generated films. He comes up with a film that has stunning visual flair and a memorable experience that will cater to viewers of all ages.

It’s very entertaining but also carries very relevant environmental and anti-war messages expertly woven into its well written storyline. This time, it’s the humans who have become the villainous intruders after they decimated their own planet Earth due to neglect, which was also what happened in “Wall-E.” The spectacular battle in the climax is breathtakingly staged and beautifully executed. Another asset is the fact that all the human actors deliver great voice acting in their various animated roles.

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A different kind of gay movie

Now showing at Robinsons cinemas is a different kind of gay movie, “Ang Laro sa Buhay ni Juan,” from Director Jay Altarejos, maker of indie hits like “Ang Lalaki sa Palaro” and “Lihim ni Antonio.” The film maybe about gays but the story has political overtones on the dehumanizing poverty that engulfs our people and makes them sell their bodies in live sex shows. As the film starts, you’d have no inkling as to what Juan (Ray An Dulay, star of “Duda” and “Kambyo”) is up to. Slowly, it’s revealed that he’s fed up with his life in Manila and wants to go back to his home province, Masbate. It’s his last day in the city and he bids goodbye to his live-in lover, Noel (Nico Antonio). They live in a one-room hovel in a clutter of makeshift squatter shanties where residents share a common bathroom, kitchen and dining area. He has a heartbreaking parting scene with Nico who is pained at seeing him go. From there, he goes to his place of work for the last time. It’s an underground gay club where members can watch exclusive live shows and join the orgies the other members indulge in. Since it’s his last night at the club, the members pass the hat to collect a going away cash gift for him. And then it happens. The police raids the club and all of Juan’s hopes to return home are dashed into pieces.

It’s a touching film about how hard it is to survive in today’s sinful world, but it’s a pity that Dulay doesn’t really deliver in the lead role. Jay Altarejos should have gotten a more sensitive actor to play Juan. Sorry but we just cannot feel the angst and desperation of the character in Dulay’s interpretation of Juan. The supporting players are even more effective than him, notably Annelle Durano as the friendly store owner who gives him free pancit, Lex Bonife as the club manager (although he looks young for the role, he also co-wrote the script with Jay) and Nico Antonio as the heartbroken lover (he’s very believable in their farewell scene which is one long take.) But the most daring performer here is newcomer Ace Ricafort who does the full frontal nudity scene now obligatory in gay films like this. Viewers who watch gay-oriented movies just for such scenes will not be disappointed. Ace can surely give frontal nudity king Marco Morales a run for his money when it comes to peddling their merchandise.