There’s a new movie on Netflix starring Julia Montes and Gerald Anderson. It’s a dark romance with a supernatural theme. The story revolves around Mia (Julia Montes), a college student who has been in Baguio for only two months with her mother, played by Ina Raymundo, step-father played by Edu Manzano, and step-brother Sam. Despite appearing like a loner, Mia has a group of friends who seem concerned about her, especially the characters played by Miles Ocampo and JC De Vera. Alvin (JC) has feelings for Julia, but they are not reciprocated, even though Alvin seems like a good person. Instead, Mia becomes intrigued by the mysterious guy, Gio, played by Gerald Anderson. After a series of mysterious events, Mia must choose between her own happiness and the well-being of her family.
Julia Montes is doing well in her role as a college student, and honestly, she’s the one carrying the scenes with Gerald Anderson. Gerald Anderson is handsome, but I find him lacking in embodying the character of Gio. His aura as a mysterious guy who falls for a mortal girl is not sufficient. I’m looking for the vibe that Robert Pattinson had when he played Edward Cullen in Twilight—pale, slim, with captivating eyes. There are also some scenes where Gerald’s pimples are noticeable, which shouldn’t be the case if his role is that of a ghost. In one scene, Mia arrives on a motorcycle at the meeting place with Gio, but in the next scene, she’s waiting for a taxi as if to set up a scene where she’s being harassed by three classmates. Additionally, there are scenes that, if you’re familiar with Baguio, clearly show unrealistic leaps between locations that, in reality, are a 10-minute walk apart.
But of course, what’s most important to me is to make women realize that with the abundance of decent men, why choose someone with issues? Like in this case, Alvin is okay and a devoted suitor, but she chose a stranger whose identity she doesn’t even know. The film’s message, for me, is about properly understanding the people we encounter because flowery words are not enough to say that we like someone and accept them for who they are. For me, it would be more fitting if Enrique Gil played the role of Gio because Enrique has that face that no woman would suspect of hiding secrets. If the goal of “Halik sa Hangin” was to scare, like “Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara,” the movie didn’t achieve that intention. If they had increased the scenes in the old house rather than the meeting place of Gio and Mia, the scenes might have had more fear factor.
Hence, I am giving this movie 3 out of 5 stars only.
The World of Second Chances 