ANG PANDAY (written by RJ Nuevas based on the Carlo J. Caparas’ “Panday” character), like most Filipino films roundabout this time (who are we kidding, any time really) is a star vehicle, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. is the designated star as Flavio, the reluctant working man hero.

Lucky for him, the movie has a budget to rival the size of his biceps, and he is joined by a stellar cast including Philip Salvador, taking inspiration from The Joker (mincing hop, loopy grin and clown foundation) in his portrayal of villain Lizardo, and Iza Calzado beatific as the object of desire/love Maria, who bears a striking resemblance to Inang Bayan, mother of the persecuted.

It’s a simple enough story — a hero fantasy — where the fate of the world rests on one prophesied savior, whose task it is to destroy the evil reign of terror of the demon lord by braving his lair. The quest is sparked by a meteor falling to earth, and though the hero tries to escape his fate (notably by forging a dagger instead of the prophesied sword from meteor metal, and gifting this dagger to the woman he loves), he is drawn in by his own sense of justice, the memory of his parent’s altruism, the pleas of his adopted community and the love of a woman forcibly taken from him and thrust into the clutches of the hated villain.

Yes, we haven’t had enough of the man with the extendable sword, and though the ladies would infinitely prefer the role of “the young swordsmith’’ to have been given to someone young and muscely, who maybe surfs on the weekends and preferably has no objection to taking his shirt off to cut wood (classic scene, that), the senator has retained enough of his boyish good looks — and his trainor did a creditable enough job of sculpting the arms while the talented wardrobe folks disguised the paunch — for him to cut a heroic figure. It’s all in the angles.

Plus it helps that there’s a surfeit of pretty faces to serve as distractions.

This being a quest, the hero may wish bear the burden alone but inspires other key people, who form his entourage. Rhian Ramos is the intrepid boon companion (and heartsick unrequited lover) Emelita, who can fight as well as any man but whose fantasy is to cook and clean for the man, and would follow him to the ends of the earth even if it’s to rescue his kidnapped beloved (Filipina martyrs, please stand up!). Geoff Eigenmann is the Filipino Legolas (or Flavio understudy if you will), armed with a bow and a wicked grin, tagging along in the interests of snaring Emelita’s regard as well as aiding Flavio in killing Lizardo, thereby avenging the deaths of his loved ones. And just so the kids can have someone to relate to, there’s Robert “Buboy” Villar as the hero-worshipping “younger brother,” armed with a slingshot, and adding a bit of levity to the proceedings.

The production is well done — the special effects, complete with an animated introduction and dragon flights, money well spent. Wardrobe is good enough to attract a number of cosplayers at the next convention. One could wish for more character development for the hero — the journey should be a gradual realization of his powers, rather than a display of strength and fighting skill coming from nowhere. One could also wish for an actor able to convey a loss of confidence at the first taste of defeat without looking (and sounding) too pathetic (and petulant). A bit of editing of the exhibition of pathos from the suffering populace holding out for a hero, and less pontificating from the blind storyteller, wouldn’t have been amiss either. But the action scenes — fights with the manananggal, a rolling eyeball of wood chips, and an army of sand ninjas — do entertain.

In fact, those interested only on the juicy bits can skip the first half entirely — consisting of the establishment of the reign of Lizardo, the prophesy explained, the love scenes between Maria and Flavio — and go straight to the start of the quest. Pacing picks up, and one has less lover-like mooning to roll one’s eyes at (apart from Emelita’s being saved from a fall by Flavio swinging from a vine, the audience is saved from those long exchanges of meaningful looks in soft lighting). Because of the nature of the film, expect little kids in the cinema to monkey around, knocking into seats and demanding explanations from their adult companions, so better come in for the very late or very early screenings. Bring a slingshot and popcorn kernel pellets. Have a rollicking good time. — Johanna D. Poblete