Zorro: Pilot Episode

4.5 Stars

Overall, I'd give the pilot episode of Zorro 4.5 stars. I love the location. It's perfect for scenes. The production must be again expensive. I hail GMA Network for investing on such a good production and, likewise, for giving its viewers de-calidad entertainment. The Zorro production is by far the best of Richard Gutierrez's tele-novelas. Mulawin, however, remains my favorite because it was an original concept. For an authentic Filipino production design, Sugo is my favorite.

Other Richard Gutierrez's tele-novelas were Mulawin (with Angel Locsin and Dennis Trillo), Sugo (with Isabel Oli) , Captain Barbell (with Rhian Ramos), Kamandag (with Maxene Magalona and Jewel Mische), and Asero (with Heart Evangelista).

Just A Flaw That Caught My Eye

The pilot episode however was not without a flaw. From the roof, Zorro grabbed meters of cloth para paglambitinan niya pababa. Kaya lang, nilobo ng hangin ang tela, na hindi dapat, kasi nakalambitin dito si Zorro.

My Keen Observations

• Sana medyo kupas pa yung filter para magmukhang sinauna. The filter was too green. Masyadong matingkad ang kulay. Hindi gaanong mukhang luma. For that reason, nagmukhang moreno kahit mestizo.

Costumes

Halatang bagong gawa ang mga damit. Hindi siya mukhang luma. Lumalaban sa tint yung mga bright colors. Sana medyo kupas and pale pa ang mga colors para hindi sila nagkokontrahan. The alampay of Gloria Sevila ay masyadong ayos. The alampay is supposedly pamahiran ng kamay at pawis. The alampay of Sandy Andolong and Michel Madrigal were better - medyo magulo na walang almirol. The costumes of the laborers in the boondocks were good however. Huwag masyadong maayos at huwag masyadong malinis ang costume ng mga Indiyo para hindi magmukhang bagong-bili lagi.

Makeup

The very red lipsticks of the Insulares are OK kasi ganoon naman ang mga babae noon. The makeup of Michelle was masyadong glamorous. Hindi siya tuloy mukang aliping Indiyo. Para siyang sasayaw ng folk dance sa stage. A pale non-glossy lipstick without mascara or false eyelashes should work for her character. Sandy's and Lani's makeup were better. Hindi naman dapat naka-makeup yung mga alipin.

Hindi mukhang natural ang wig ni Richard. His "Antonio" character reminds me of his character in "Sugo."

Sub-Titles

I noticed a few grammatical errors sa Tagalog.

• "Salo-salo" should spell "salu-salo."
• "Kamusta" should spell "kumusta." "Kumusta" comes from the Spanish words "como esta". "Kumu" is the nearest Tagalog sound.
• "Kakalimutan" should spell "kalilimutan".

I believe that the translator should be careful of his spelling for the reason that, indirectly, he is educating the viewers. (In Saksi and 24 Oras, they often used the word "suplay", which is the corrupted word of "supply." May tamang Tagalog sa "supply" which is "panustos". The word "panustos" was often used in "Jewel in the Palace.")

Dialogue

Parang tumutula si Michelle Madrigal. Hindi natural ang dating. TJ mentioned "Fort Aragon". That's English! It should have been "Fortin Aragon."

For consitency purposes, the Insulares and Peninsulares, when speaking in Tagalog, should use Tagalog words with Spanish influence. The Indiyos should speak in strict Tagalog. For example, Jaclyn Jose, and Insular, could have said "aamponin" instead of "kukupkupin".