DARNA! The Return (1994) Anjanette Abayari stars as Darna
4990DVD
original
Filipino title DARNA ANG PAGBABALIN [Darna: the Return]
director: Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes
starring: Anjanette Abayari · Rustom Padilla · Cherie
Gil · Edu Manzano · Pilita Corrales · Bong Alvarez
Filipino
Illustrator Mars Ravelo created Darna in the early fifties. The character
leaped from the comix world into a string of motion pictures and numerous
TV series in the Philippines (despite numerous unsuccessful Wonder
Woman infringement lawsuits from DC Comics generated in the United
States). The most popular Darna was played by Vilma Santos in the '70s
[see DARNA
VS THE PLANERT WOMEN for details]. When it came time for a motion
picture re-boot in the '90s, Viva Studios chose Oakland Raiders cheerleader
[and beauty queen] Anjanette Abayari, obviously the actress most accomplished
at fleshing-out the Darna outfit.
For
this story, an eruption of a major volcano has brought chaos and devastation
to the Philippines. Darna's [snake-haired] arch-enemy Valentina is trying
to take control of the island through subliminal messages in the broadcast
of her religious TV shows. Of course, Darna wants to stop the evil bitch,
but she has her own problems... she's lost her magic pearl and no longer
has the power to transform into her scantily-clad super-self. So, now
trapped inside the body of Narda [her alter ego], she must find the
pearl, become Darna and foil Valentina's plans. Will she be successful?
Damn right she will.
A Filipino
movie with English subtitles; widescreen format, uncut 104 minutes,
DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC WORLD FORMAT.
Extras include original theatrical trailer.
