Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle explained

Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle
Director:Tony Y. Reyes
Music:Boy Alcaide
Editing:Efren Jarlego
Studio:Regal Films
Runtime:114 minutes[1]
Country:Philippines
Language:Filipino

Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle, also known as simply Starzan, is a 1989 Filipino comedy film directed by Tony Y. Reyes, written by Reyes and Joey de Leon, and starring de Leon as the titular character. It also stars Zsa Zsa Padilla, Panchito Alba, Tina Paner, Cris Villanueva, Cynthia Patag, and Rene Requiestas. The film is a parody of the Edgar Rice Burroughs character Tarzan.

Produced by Regal Films, it was released on January 4, 1989, and was a box office hit, earning ₱24 million in Metro Manila alone. It became the highest-grossing comedy film in the region at the time, surpassing Batang Quiapo (1986). Critic Lav Diaz gave the film a mixed review, recognizing de Leon and Requiestas as a good comedic duo and commending the film's depiction of the environment's unjust treatment, though he expressed concern about the potentially lowering standards of audiences for films.

The success of Starzan effectively launched a franchise. This includes two sequels, Starzan 2: The Coming of Star Son (1989) and Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle (1990), a spin-off film, Cheeta-eh, Ganda Lalake? (1991), a television series,[2] and an album.

Cast

Soundtrack

The film's theme song was included in the compilation album Starzan, Cheeta-eh! At Iba Pa Ganda Tugtog .[4] [5]

Release

Starzan was released by Regal Films on January 4, 1989.[6] [7]

Box office

The film was a box office success, earning ₱24 million in Metro Manila alone.[8] Thus, the film became the highest-grossing comedy film in the region at the time, surpassing Pablo Santiago's Batang Quiapo from three years prior.[8] Executive producer Lily Monteverde gave Joey de Leon a ₱1 million bonus as a result of the film's success.[9]

Critical response

Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave Starzan a mixed review, stating that though de Leon and Requiestas are a good comedic combination, they need better, "fragrant material". Diaz gave his concern that audiences might only settle for enjoying "kabantutan" or lowbrow fare such as the film, citing its inclusion of the yell "Cheetaeh!", the last two syllables of which meaning "poop". However, he commended Starzans clear depiction of society's disrespectful treatment of the environment, and suggested that the film could be used by the Haribon Foundation in their advocacy.[3]

See also

Home media

Starzan was released on DVD by Regal Entertainment on July 26, 2013.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Starzan -Philippines Filipino Tagalog DVD Movie. Amazon.com. July 26, 2013 . Amazon.com, Inc.. August 12, 2020.
  2. News: New Vision 9 makes history tonight. June 16, 2021. Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc.. July 19, 1990. 17. 8:30.
  3. News: Diaz. Lav. Lav Diaz. Bayang mabaho – sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa. Foul-smelling nation – in thought, in words, and in action. August 12, 2020. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. January 15, 1989. 16. Filipino. Magandang kumbinasyon sina De Leon at Requiestas. Mabangong materyal lang ang kailangan..
  4. News: Joey's 'Tough Hits' album released. June 16, 2021. Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc.. February 27, 1990. 13.
  5. Starzan I by Joey De Leon and Rene Requiestas. OPM Vinyl Playlist. YouTube. YouTube LLC. 0:12.
  6. News: Movie Guide. August 12, 2020. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. January 4, 1989. 14. CAPITOL.......................Starsan.
  7. News: Movie Guide. August 12, 2020. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. January 3, 1989. 14. CAPITOL.................Pik Pak Boom.
  8. News: Japitana. Norma. Comedy is 'In' and earning. August 12, 2020. Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc.. April 18, 1989. 26.
  9. News: Libo-on. Eddie. Wise Joey puts up own film company. September 29, 2020. Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc.. July 4, 1989. 24.