As much as I would want to make this a spoil-free article, I know, in some parts, I will unintentionally spill exceptional and truly remarkable scenes. So, if you haven’t watched the BL movie of the year, Gameboys, and you dread spoilers, then this article is not for you.
Over a year after it pioneered and set the bar high in Boys Love series in the country, Gameboys has finally dominated (again) the online world as it officially released its movie sequel on July 30.
Due to the unparalleled support and overflowing love from the fans, its success paved the way to the continuation of the stories and issues that Gameboys consistently project.
First things first: what do we have on our plate? We have the teaser of Gameboys Season 2, the full trailer, of course, the sneak peek, the #OutInTheOpen campaign, and the “Hanggang Sa Huli” clip. Then there’s the movie.
Actually, after watching the movie for the first time, I wasn’t able to absorb the whole thing, but in a positive way. I was literally blown away. It left me speechless after. I got mad. I cried. I swooned. I screamed at the top of my lungs. But, in the end, I have no words to describe what I truly felt. Hands down.
But watching it alone for the second and the third and for the nth time, I felt restlessly discontented. I was finding more reasons to watch it all over again and again.
The movie started by showing our ever-favorite gamers-turned-lovers Gavreel (Kokoy de Santos) and Cairo (Elijah Canlas) during a game stream. But this time, viewers are seeing them together, not on separate screens, showing off their sweet moments cuddling each other live on “Screentime,” a story-made social media platform.
During the first half, the movie depicts the life of Gavreel and Cairo living under the same roof since the latter’s stay was extended.
Director Ivan Andrew Payawal and screenwriter Ash Malanum also assured us that we are well-fed with CaiReel’s lovey-dovey content including the computer/phone screenshots perfectly giving us the first season vibes. Very nostalgic!
But just when we thought that Terrence (Kyle Velino) is the most hated character (actually, we still have Risa) in Gameboys, well, we’re right, until Tita Susan (Angie Castrence) came into the picture holding a religious statue. To spoil you a little bit, she’s, in some ways, like your typical annoying Tita that you always wanted to avoid during family gatherings. Well, she mirrors the life of every person who always perpetuates their hate, not just in the community, but also in different aspects of life.
As shown in the trailer, Gav introduced his ‘baby’ to Tita Susan as his ‘friend’ which made us all confused. Like I mentioned in my previous article, I questioned him for doing that, and I am sorry for judging him. Because in a scene where Gav and Cai were in a confrontation with her and told them that their relationship would all be pointless, Gav stood up for his boyfriend. We stan. However, more conflicts arise as Tita Susan reveals important details that will greatly affect the relationship of the two.
And Kokoy nailed that scene, undoubtedly. If season one gave us the winning best actor performances from Elijah, this movie made Kokoy shines brighter in many ways. The film lets him showcase how versatile he can be when it comes to acting. He may be known for being more of a comical type of actor, here, he shows another side of him and proves that he, too, can pull off heavy drama scenes.
“I was touched. I felt the pain and burden that Gav experienced when he was confronted by Tita Susan. I am also beyond proud of my son, Kokoy, for what he had shown in the movie. Actually, I am proud of the whole Gameboys team, they really did a great job. I was speechless after watching the movie,” shared Chenie De Santos, mom of Kokoy, who gives life to the character of Gavreel.
I also love how Elijah and Kokoy’s respective characters complement each other. The chemistry is not forced, it is all natural because it comes from the genuine friendship and love of the two on and off the camera.
But more than that, the movie has still a lot to offer specially when the Gameboys squad—yes, we’re talking about Terrence, Pearl (Adrianna So), Wesley (Miggy Jimenez), and Achilles (Kych Minemoto)—appeared and gathered in an important scene.
Wait, did I just mentioned Terrence, Wesley, and Achilles? Yes, our ALT Gameboys are back to add some twists in the movie. I am lost for words in terms of Kyle, Miggy, and Kych’s superb acting skills giving justice to their respective characters.
What made it more interesting is that it doesn’t just focus on the romantic relationships between young couples in the story but also narrates the life of, somehow, every member of the LGBTQIA+ community—their personal sufferings while growing and living in a Christian-dominated country, their doubts, their struggles, and their fears of being judged.
It also unfolds how these factors can affect someone’s mental health. Kokoy’s character had shown breakdowns and being haunted by the trauma that he had when he was a child. The appearance of Tita Susan and her sermons triggered that memory he had. Adding to it was another confrontation scene from the people around him.
Giving you more reasons to love this movie is its consistency in giving viewers aesthetic and authentic scenes since the first season. It will give you that feeling that you are part of the movie—a viewer who witnesses how the characters bloom and grow in each scene. It had made me want to go back to start and rewatch the series’ first season because of that feeling of longing and yearning for Cairo and Gavreel’s characters.
Moreover, if we think that the 13-episode season had given us enough issues and struggles, no, because the movie presented that there’s still a lot to discuss—inside and outside the community.
I really don’t want to spoil anything more but the last 40 minutes will give you a true rollercoaster ride of emotions. It will make you go crazy—at one point, you’re feeling butterflies in your stomach then suddenly you would find yourself crying over a particular scene. The last part of the movie would give you so much feels that you don’t want to end it yet.
It features most of the movie theme songs, and we know how soundtracks play special roles in every movie. Gameboys surely use songs that can really tug at anybody’s heartstrings.
Every song will leave a special spot in your heart that whenever you are going to hear it, whether if it’s on Spotify or radio, a particular scene will be playing non-stop on your mind while feeling every emotion portrayed by the characters.
Zack Tabudlo’s songs play an important part in the movie. His single “Nangangamba” perfectly describes the blooming love between Wesley and Terrence. The song chronicles the hesitations and uncertainties of the two if they are going to take their relationship to the next level.
Meanwhile, his “Iyong Iyo,” which was used in intimate sequences, flawlessly goes with Elijah and Kokoy’s interpretation of that scene. Cai and Gav’s performances danced in the rhythm of the song showing nothing but love. I know that they are versatile actors but I still wonder how they pull off that ‘magical’ scene because it was so pure. In previous interviews, Kokoy jokingly described it as magical and surreal but it truly is. I don’t know if it’s because they’re going to separate ways or because of how the song was beautifully written, but one’s thing for sure, it only shows their love for each other.
Elijah also mentioned that it was his first time doing that scene, so I asked his father what was his reactions after seeing it.
“Not surprised, as I know that TIFC [The IdeaFirst Company] wants to show the reality. It was artistically done, of course, we trust the whole production,” said the young actor’s father, Rommel Canlas.
Remember also how the iconic song “Ngayon” gave us ‘kilig’ feels in season one? Well, in the movie, Elijah and Kokoy have their own version of it and it was so special that it made me cry whenever I hear it because the scene keeps on repeating on my mind.
The movie concludes not with a typical or any familiar ending scene. With just Cairo and Gavreel telling the world their love for each other, it beautifully and realistically gives us the best finale. Adding more to it was “Hanggang Sa Huli,” which will make you unconsciously sing with SB19, whether you like it or not, is played to wrap up the whole scene until the last part of the credit roll.
SUPER SPOILER ALERT!!! But wait, The IdeaFirst Company revealed that the movie is a focused material of season two. So, maybe our questions from the movie like: “Where did Tita Susan go after the confrontation?,” “What really happened between Terrence and Wesley after the ALT Gameboys?” and “Who’s Tita Leni?” will be answered. Director Perci Intalan shared that the second season is set to be released on Netflix, but as usual, we don’t know when. So, again, we need to wait for the release date. But, the sure thing is it’s definitely worth the wait.
Can’t wait for other people to witness the continuation of CaiReel’s love story and how it made them grow so much. The whole movie is beautifully written and is made out of love, that’s why it’s hard to let go of the characters. After watching it, it made me realize how great love is.
Be in love and get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions when you watch Gameboys The Movie. You can still watch it by purchasing your ticket at Ticket2Me.net and KTX.ph.
Photos from TheIdeaFirst Company