GG: Good Game
{{use mdy|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| italic_title =
| name = GG: Good Game
| image = GG (Good Game).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Prime Cruz
| writer = Prime Cruz
Hannah Pangilinan
Zachary Aquino
| producer = Pamela .L. Reyes
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Donny Pangilinan
- Igi Boy Flores
- Kaleb Ong
- Maricel Laxa
- Gold Azeron
- Ronaldo Valdez
- Baron Geisler
- Johannes Rissler
- Boots Anson-Roa
}}
| editing = Renard Torres
| music = Andrew R. Florentino
| animator = Robosheep Studios
| studio = {{ubl|Betelguese Media|MQuest Ventures}}
| distributor = {{ubl|CMB Film Services|Star Cinema}}
| released = {{Film date|2024|01|24}}
| runtime = 100 minutes
| country = Philippines
| language = Filipino
| budget =
| gross =
}}
GG: Good Game is a 2024 Philippine teen sports drama film directed by Prime Cruz and written by Cruz along with Zachary Aquino and Hannah Pangilinan. The film stars Pangilinan's brother Donny Pangilinan, Igi Boy Flores, and Ronaldo Valdez. Set against the backdrop of the Philippine esports scene, the film follows the journey of a group of young gamers striving to make their mark in the competitive world of professional gaming.
It was one of Valdez's final film roles following his death in 2023; the film was dedicated to him.{{cite web |last1=Tabares |first1=Nazamel |title=Creating an original game for the E-sports barkada movie 'GG (Good Game)' |url=https://pelikulamania.com/2024/01/19/creating-an-original-game-for-the-e-sports-barkada-movie-gg-good-game/ |website=Pelikula Mania |access-date=June 12, 2025 |date=January 19, 2024}}
Plot
GG, an acronym for "good game," centers around Seth (Donny Pangilinan), a determined aspiring pro-gamer who immerses himself in the world of video games as the player "Eskape" and gets into a "competitive barkada gaming" while navigating the various challenges within his own family.
Grieving the loss of his beloved grandmother (Boots Anson Roa), who raised him, Eskape is compelled to live with his estranged mother (Maricel Laxa), who had abandoned him as an infant. His life changes dramatically when he receives an invitation to join an underdog esports team.
Cast
- Donny Pangilinan as Seth (Eskape){{Cite web |last=Alpad |first=Christina |date=2024-01-24 |title=Donny Pangilinan's special co-star in 'Good Game' |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/01/24/entertainment-lifestyle/show-times/donny-pangilinans-special-co-star-in-good-game/1929489 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}
- Igi Boy Flores as Joseph (XtraRice)
- Kaleb Ong as Santino (Ace)
- Maricel Laxa as Iya (Icebox)
- Gold Azeron as Patrick (Trickz)
- Ronaldo Valdez as Francis{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Manila |title=GG (Good Game) the Movie’ cast dedicates their film to the late Ronaldo Valdez |url=https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/1/13/-gg-good-game-the-movie-cast-dedicates-their-film-to-the-late-ronaldo-valdez-828 |website=push.abs}}
- Baron Geisler as Kurt
- Johannes Rissler as Kelvin (Kev)
- Boots Anson-Roa as Griselda
- Christian Vasquez as Dennis
- DJ Durano as Tito Rexy
- Raemon Oscar Bingcang (Razzie Binx) as the e-sports host
- Manny V. Pangilinan as himself (cameo){{cite web |last1=Camus |first1=Miguel R. |title=INSIDER INFO: Most valuable producer? MVP makes cameo appearance in MMFF entry |url=https://insiderph.com/insider-info-most-valuable-producer-mvp-makes-cameo-appearance-in-mmff-entry |website=Insider |access-date=June 12, 2025 |date=December 23, 2024}}
Production
= Development =
The idea for GG: Good Game was born out of the rapid growth of the esports industry in the Philippines and the increasing recognition of Filipino gamers on the global stage. Prime Cruz and Zachary Aquino sought to create a film that highlights the excitement of esports and explores the personal stories and cultural aspects unique to the Filipino gaming community.
= Filming =
Principal photography began in mid-2023, with major scenes shot in various locations around Metro Manila and popular gaming hubs across the Philippines. The production team collaborated with local esports organizations and events to ensure an authentic representation of the gaming environment.{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Nickie |date=2024-01-30 |title=Dynamic esports traverses melodramatic terrain in ‘GG (Good Game)’ |url=https://manilastandard.net/?p=314411729 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Manila Standard |language=en-US}}
Music
The film's soundtrack features a blend of contemporary OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and electronic beats, with contributions from renowned Filipino artists and composers. Andrew .R. Florentino crafted the score to reflect the high-energy and emotional moments throughout the film.
Release
The film was released nationwide on January 24, 2024, and is available on Netflix streaming platforms.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
Reception
Critics praised GG: Good Game for its heartfelt storytelling and strong performances, particularly noting Donny Pangilinan and Igi Boy Flores for their chemistry and depth.{{Cite web |last=Pagulong |first=Charmie Joy |title=Donny Pangilinan, other Good Game stars weigh in on online gaming |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/11/04/2308683/donny-pangilinan-othergood-game-stars-weigh-online-gaming |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Philstar.com}} The film's portrayal of the esports community in the Philippines was lauded for its authenticity and cultural relevance.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Riya |title=‘GG (Good Game)’ Netflix Movie Review - Pro Gamer |url=https://moviesr.net/p-gg-good-game-netflix-movie-review-pro-gamer |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=moviesr.net |language=en}}
Januar Junior Aguja of The Freeman gave the film 3/5 stars, describing the film as far from being perfect, but “GG” ticks the right boxes on being a movie that properly represents esports.{{Cite web |last=Aguja |first=Januar Junior |title=Movie review: ‘GG’ (Good Game) injects family values into esports |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2024/01/31/2329863/movie-review-gg-good-game-injects-family-values-esports |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Philstar.com}} Philbert of Letterboxd gave the film 1.5/5 stars noted that the film's major drawback is its inability to effectively narrate a story during its game sequences. Despite this, he acknowledged that the movie explores intriguing themes, particularly the use of gaming as an escape from undesirable situations and as a medium for forming connections. {{Cite web |title=A ★★½ review of GG: Good Game (2024) |url=https://letterboxd.com/philbertdy/film/gg-good-game/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=letterboxd.com |language=en}}
References
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