Movie Review: Hayop Ka, the Nimfa Dimaano Story

 

Disclaimer: Images aren't mine, and are respectfully owned by Spring Films

Hayop Ka, The Nimfa Dimaano Story is a typical Pinoy rom-com but with a promising style of animation; and it's not for kids. It follows Nimfa (Angelica Panganiban), a witty & hardworking cat and a perfume saleslady, who has a boyfriend, Roger (Robin Padilla), a macho dog, and a janitor. They both struggle to make ends meet until Nimfa bumps into a rich, handsome and successful husky (I don't know if that is his breed), named Inigo Villanueva (Sam Milby).

You see the familiar pattern?

I was really excited to watch this. Mainly it's because we don't see a lot of Pinoy animated films, and I truly wanted to see how far we can go in this industry. After seeing the trailer, I was totally impressed and shocked at how good it looks. Now after seeing the film itself, I am all the happier about how it turned out.

STORY

Although it has a familiar Pinoy rom-com formula, it also shows the harsh reality of the Filipino poor and the society right now. The whole mood of the film is al light and laughs, but on a deeper level, the issues are real and serious. 

Roger and Nimfa

I found out that it took the film 3 years to make. Despite that, it's still relative now. Well, duh, it's not that big a gap anyway.

Screenwriting wise, I just love how they reincorporate elements, which adds to the movie's entertainment. To be honest, the Pinoy comedy and jokes play way better in an animated film than live-action. 

But then, it's hard to believe the world of the film. I wasn't mesmerized by the film's suspension of belief. I understand that at certain points they're really exploring beyond the boundaries of their creativity in animation. 

What's hard to wrap my head around is how much the rich husky, Inigo, is portrayed. He's friends with the well-known tech billionaire Elon Musk, he's planning to make Pinoys go to space, and then the typical Wattpad or Fanfiction formula (yes, I'm going there) where the rich guy buys the restaurant because they did something offensive like not accepting their reservations. I can't help but roll my eyes. How stereotypical can you get? These things kind of throws me off from believing in the story. No offense but that's just how I felt.

ANIMATION

Inigo Vilannueva and Nimfa Dimaano

Story aside, I am very impressed by the animation and very proud. I truly am looking forward to the future of our country's animation industry. I pray and hope it'll continue to move onward and grow.

As an amateur digital artist myself, the outline-less 2D style is in my liking. I am aware of how much effort its put into this kind of animation, and it's just so well-done especially witht the over the top scenes.

The overall feel of the film gives this Old Manila aura especially with the touches of overly dramatic teleserye scenes. You'll see it mostly in the confrontational scenes which it makes it more funny than serious. I even wondered if I should take it seriously, but seeing the obvious exaggeration of the drama (hence, teleserye), you can't help but smile and giggle.

OVERALL

Hayop Ka is an animated success. It's not at all perfect, nor it deserves an award, but it deserves to be watched by everyone (except kids). I can see this as a barkada kind of film, something to watch for entertainment. It's a film that all Pinoys should be proud of because the quality is just magnificent. 

I hope for a bright future for the animation industry.

MY RATING: 😻😻😻😻
MY EXPERIENCE: 🐶🐶🐶🐶