MOVIE REVIEW: This Time (2016)

THIS TIME (2016) Review
Directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval

James Reid and Nadine Lustre has been absent recently on the big screen because of their TV series, and now that they’re back where they’re first introduced as a love team, fans are excited for what the two can offer in their new movie.

Written by Mel Mendoza Del Rosario and directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval, This Time is effective in delivering the “kilig” the fans would want from the two leads. James Reid and Nadine Lustre obviously has gone a long way from 2014’s Diary ng Panget. They’re better actors now and their chemistry is as undeniable as ever. But the story offers the same thing we see in local romantic comedy films.

The film is confused in telling its story, there’s that span of time not acknowledged all throughout because Coby (Reid) only comes to the Philippines during summer and most of his screen time is only to feel the need for the story to move forward. Yes, the main character, the protagonist of the film is Ava (Lustre), but how the story is built is confusing but fan-servicing way. It put plots that pops out but doesn’t wholly connects to the story because of the need to have sequences of a romantic summer movie. It feels unnatural to the story but if you can get passed it, you’ll just enjoy it the way the filmmakers want you to.

Seeing Freddie Webb and Nova Villa once more on the big screen makes you want to re-watch Real Florido’s 1st Ko Si 3rd. Their charms are what you would want from seeing what forever means. Candy Pangilinan is the scene stealer of the film, her comedic timing is just tremendous and her character is the only one that feels natural in the story.

It’s a feel-good movie, not thought-provoking or groundbreaking, but it’s decently made. It wants to give the fans what they want and it did. And that’s the purpose of the film, and they did it effectively.

3 OUT OF 5 STARS

“This Time” is now showing in Philippine cinemas nationwide from VIVA Films. Rated G by the MTRCB.