Disappointing. Flat characters and
The camera was extremely shaky during the middle episodes, making it hard to focus on what the characters were saying. The story felt repetitive and flat, without any emotional depth. The characters themselves were indecisive and one dimensional. I really enjoyed the previous adaptations of univerkada but this one was by far the worst.Was this review helpful to you?
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Why their character just inconsistent ?
First of all, 22 episodes is quite long if you don't know how to create a well-paced storyline. In the first episode, I always analyze the main characters in every series, but in this series, I didn't get a big picture of Via and Arkin, especially Via. I'm a reader of this university series and have followed all university series adaptations. As far as I know, Via has several distinctive character traits, such as being very maternal, anxious around crowds, and keeping a distance from others, as if she had her own world before meeting her group. But in this series, to be honest, I didn't feel any vibe from Via. I don't know why, but her acting was mediocre, I didn't feel her maternal, anxious, or distant attitude. I just felt like she was just delivering dialogue without conveying her feelings. Meanwhile, we know university series use first-person perspective and from female characters, if a female character can't convey the entire story, it's just a waste.I don't know why their storytelling skills aren't as good as the first and second adaptations. The scriptwriting gets worse, as if they don't know how to create a good story without losing meaning with each installment. The last two adaptations simply follow the books without creating a compelling story like a series should. I don't know if it's because they can't make 16 episodes or what? Honestly, it's very disappointing for me. I hope in the final installment they figure out how to create a good, flowing story so they don't just copy the story from the lifeless book.
Regarding the music, is it just me or does this series always use the same soundtrack all the time? Of all the soundtracks they have, why is it always that one? And their soundtrack variety is starting to dwindle and feel monotonous throughout the series, and it doesn't leave the same impression as the first to third adaptations.
Not to mention the extremely yellow and gloomy coloring of the images. And lately, the shots have been shaky, why ???
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Golden Scenery of Tomorrow - so far, the best Filipino Wattpad adaptation
GSOT is the 4th installation of the University series. (First being The Rain in España, 2nd is Safe Sky Archer, 3rd is Chasing in the wild). It follows the story of Larkin Sanchez and Avianna Diaz who are childhood best friends and how they grow together and realized their feelings for each other. Yet at the same time holding back themselves out of fear of losing their friendship .This is so far one of my most favorite Wattpad Adaptation and I would like to divide this review into parts.
CASTING (9.5/10)
Bea Binene as VIA- (9/10) when I first saw her as the one acting as Via in The Rain in España I was quite hesitant about her character. I can really barely feel her in the first 2 series. Also I've seen more of bubbly Bea Binene in her previous projects. But in the series, she managed to stick with the character from the book. I just felt that the scenes or her hatred towards her mother is a bit over the top. I just wish she can be more expressive of her feelings.
Wilbert Ross as LARKIN / KINO- (100/10) Perfect for the role. I swear he is the Larkin coming straight from the book.. everything about what I've imagined Kino.to be in the book is Wilbert Ross .. Larkin comes to life. Wilbert has able to give justice to his role . I can't imagine a different actor portraying Larkin.
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***Minor character but. I don't think ERIC FRUCTUOSO is the best choice for VIA'as father.. his acting seems off and not the type of father who loses a wife and had to support 4 children. I don't know but whenever it's his scene. It's becoming cringey, especially the scene of him crying with the parents of Larkin . I don't know but . They could have chosen someone else for it**
STORY LINE (9/10)
Out of all the Filipino Wattpad adaptation, I must say this one is one of the very few which stick with the book and didn't put a lot of changes or twist . It makes you familiar with the story without being disappointed or surprised with twist and others. The scenes on the book are clearly depicted and brought to life.
It makes you feel grateful for the gift of true friendship. Among all the other university series. This one provided a clear start and explanation of how the friend group started which is very important if you want to understand all the other series in this universe.
MUSIC (.8.5/10)
I was used to watching Kdrama sort where there is an OST for each episode. But in this adaptation . Songs like Ginintuang Tanawin and Ngiti are used very repetitive. I understand that it's the soundtrack but there can be more creative twist to it., like using the songs as background music, only with piano instrumentals. or guitars. And not the characters having to sing them over and over . But the songs were great and a testament of Via and Kino's love story.
CINEMATOGRAPHY (9/10)
I understand that due to the title, the colors RED, ORANGE YELLOW and GOLD are the most used in this series but as much as it is relevant to the series, it also gives a melancholic vibes even if the scene is funny or sweet. It somehow is contrasting . It can be made better. But still acceptable.
REWATCH VALUE (100/10)
I just finished watching it and I want to start watching it all over again . Merely for the via and kino scenes especially when they're still in high school.. I laughed so much and cried so much with this series. I would definitely watch it again whenever I wanted a good laugh or to cry.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED especially for those who are suckers of ROMCOM.
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