Okay, I accidentally watched last Monday evening the first episode of GMA-7's much-publicized Captain Barbell TV series. I said "accidentally" because I did not have any plan at all to watch it.
I was deeply disappointed by their Darna tele-version, and I pre-judged that now, GMA-7 will not be able to come up with even a satisfactory rendition of Mars Ravelo's most famous superhero.
I was watching 24 Oras, dozed off a little during Pia Guano's report on Kapuso stars ( plus Mike Enriquez' overacting intro of her) , I was awakened to find myself already watching Captain Barbell. Well, since I'm very comfortable lying on my sofa, why not give it a chance and perhaps see just what GMA-7 has stored for the first episode.
Frankly and honestly, I am very impressed with the first showing. It is fast-paced and superbly edited. But the real strength lies on its special effects. It is not unexpected though, as GMA-7 had repeatedly boasted that they really poured big money towards the production. It is also a strategy to make a big first impression so that the viewers will be sure to come back each evening.
Superman Copy
It is only deplorable that GMA7's Captain Barbell deviated from its original storyline, even though it claimed it is Mars Ravelos' Captain Barbell. Plotwise, there is little similarity to the original Captain Barbell who first debuted in Pinoy Komiks in 1963.
The original Captain Barbell first appeared in Pinoy Komiks in 1963. Written by the great Mars Ravelo, this series was illustrated by Jim Fernandez.
The plot is obviously copied from Smallville, with all the familiar scenes like a spaceship crashing to Earth, with a farm couple rescuing a small boy inside who would be the future Captain Barbell, plus the boy showing feats of unusual power like lifting a tractor and a tree.
But perhaps the most embarrasing copy is the introduction of the Askobar (Asidong Kontra Barbarium), which is of course, an imitation of Superman's Krypton. Like the Krypton, the Askobar is also a crystalline substance and has the power to make Captain Barbell weak. The most ridiculous part is the fact that the General (more or less a copy or Lex Luthor), can defeat Captain Barbell just by holding a piece of krypton in his hand and showing it in the superhero's face, like saying "in your face, Captain Barbell!"
Perhaps it would have been more slightly original if Commander X( the loyal lieutenant of the General) was given a battle suit made up of Askobar to counter the Barbarium suit worn by Captain Barbell.
Generally, though, with all its faults, I liked the first showing of Captain Barbell. I must admit I enjoyed watching it, and has exceeded my expectations, although I just felt a little uneasy with Snooky's wig; it seemed to be always falling from her head.
I congratulate GMA-7 for resurrecting one of Pinoy Komiks most popular superheroes, and I intend to watch it now every evening.
I just love Pinoy Komiks!
11 comments:
kumukulong-putik said...
Honestly i would still prefer the young, dumb, ambitious, comic relief, skinny Enteng than the serious, weak attidude, handsome, scar-faced Teng that they made...Grabe! I was shocked when Richard G had played both the Role of Enteng and CB!!! Hey! Scar-Faced Richard G would transform into a Richard G(un masked!?) wearing faked muscled-spandex and big red cape...Whoow!!! Because of too-much gaya-gaya of the show, it might end up stupidly like Panday(How come that Tristan is a blacksmith?)...I hope the Mango Comics would come-up of a better remake of Captain Barbell based on its real origins and concept just liked how they made the Lastikman...A funny, young and skinny Enteng that would transform into a masked mysterious real-muscled superhero Captain Barbell...I like the funny side of Captain Barbell in the old movies even it had a very bad special-effects...And I think its better if Mango Comics would use the redesigned version of mr. Monsanto because it deals of the original mars Ravelo's concept on the Comics...
1:41 AM
kumukulong-putik said...
At sana magkaroon din ng remake yung original na Panday na comics na kinoconsider bilang isa sa mga epiko sa Pinas...Sabi ng teacher ko na Panday might be one of the national epic sa bansa natin dahil sa dami ng epic natin eh wala pa tayong pambansang epiko...Iyon nga lang nababoy na iyong original na story dun sa series na ginampanan ni Jericho Rosales dahil pinalalabas pa nilang nagkamali ang Panday(Ang tunay na Panday) na si Flavio...Napabayaan yata ni Mr. Caparaz iyong magandang epic nya nung ginawang serye...
1:56 AM
kumukulong-putik said...
Because of this remake, there are now multiple Captain Barbell universe just liked Darna and most of all Lastikman...Whoow!!!
2:00 AM
Dennis Villegas said...
Wylz: Amen! hehe!
4:34 AM
kumukulong-putik said...
By the way its my opinion. Iyon lang po iyong nakikita ko...Sorry!
10:11 PM
kumukulong-putik said...
I just critic i'm very sorry im trying to be true to myself.
10:13 PM
zahflo said...
I agree na dapat hindi binago yung plot ng Capt. Barbell, super obvious na Superman ang sinundan, commercial pa lang alam mo na kung ano yung story line. Mas ok para sa kin yung version ni Herbert and Edu, talagang di mo malalamang si Tenteng at si Capt. Barbell ay iisa lang!
Pero gusto ko yung theme song ng Capt. Barbell hehehe...
2:45 AM
Anonymous said...
grabe!!! mga taga GMA kylan kaya kayo makagagawa ng sarili ninyong originality walang kwento talaga ang mga palabas nyo yung una! Darna., ang layo nman sa original na estorya sabay o.a pa! yung pangalawa etheria eh kopya lang yan ng lord of the ring dba? tatag nyo! majika? kopya din yan ng harry the power dba? mas lalong walang kwenta!! tapos ngayon captain barbell?? tindi eh smallville yan dba? dapat iniba nyo na lang yun title hindi captain barbell kundi smallvilee tagalog version!! tumigil n kayo s kakagaya nyo!!
1:29 AM
Dennis Villegas said...
anonymous: hehe puso mo...
6:04 AM
Redjeulle said...
hi, was googling for Vincent Kua when i found this blog. i just wrote a post on Captain Barbell, i do not like it very much.
on another note, Vincent Kua has passed away na pala. i grew up reading his series, the one with the boys that were born looking like a demon and an angel, yung velvet ghost ba yun, and of course Pokwang. sayang talaga...he was a brilliant komikero.
2:48 AM
Unknown said...
Popular superhero and opportunist named Vincent Magtanggol becomes a mighty man known as Captain Barbell created in 1963 by the late Mars Ravelo who authored the first heroine/warrior Darna elongated stretch guy Lastikman world's tiniest crime fighter Tiny Tony
fire lady Dragonna and other superhero tales turned to comics novels movies television series action figures/dolls /vehicles and media and remains a popular superheroes of all time.thanks for the information about your comments in your opinion.From:Wayne
11:22 AM
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