Visually, I have got to admit, this is amazing. Released on Youtube on the last day of 2009, it could just count for a BIM 2009 Award in best visual effects. And, I have not seen visual effects like this since 'Unrenewable' - which despite me yelling to anyone who listens that its overrated - DID have amazing visuals.

Story wise....meh. The concept of Picture-Portals is facinating and, amazingly, Original. But everything else.....okish.

But I have three Plot-Holes that must be adressed:

My final and biggest critique was the voice actors. I mean nothing personal to any of them, but they were, in true Nick Durron Fashion, HORRIBLE! HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE!! At parts it made the movie either un-watchable or hilarious, both of which were un-intentional. Its so funny when the main guy (who sounds like Keanu Reeves on heilium) is trying to do something that is trying to resemble a 'dramatic' moment. Its unbearable when the bad guy is declaring his plans to 'take over the world' or whatever, and it makes me want to go off and watch 'The Inventor', which by far had better voice actors.

To quote Nathan Wells (who is off having a life): "The Voices made me want to jump off a cliff" (I would say pull out my testicles, but this works too....)

In short, the voice acting killed the movie. I think that with better voice actors, I may have overlooked some of the Plot-Holes, and would have felt more positive to the movie. I mean, its not bad, but its one of those movies that are like: "Ooooh! Pretty images! Oh, by the way a-man-can-create-some-portals-out-of-paintings, the-president-was-kidnapped-by-smeagol, and these-two-cops-with-stupid-voices-are-trying-to-stop-him-because-their-cops......oooh! Pretty images!"

A ground breaker in Brickfilming Visual effects - but I would have enjoyed it much more if the sound was off. I may be seeming too harsh, but the Voice acting really did destroy all enjoyment.

Oh and the music was awesome.

3/5. But be careful - pretty images and Joseph Frank wont save you next time.

-MRB

Last edited by Max Butcher (January 1, 2010 (03:01pm))

^^^
What he said.

Edit: Hey! Watch where you're posting NewRight!

I mean what Max Butcher said.

Last edited by Bricklord (January 1, 2010 (03:53pm))

Thanks for mentioning that. Now I will not be able to rest until I figure out what trope that is. I KNOW it's a trope, I just can't remember which one it is.

Anyway, I kind of agree that this film, while it had impressive effects, was kind of lacking in everything else. I liked the picture portals, but I didn't think they were all that original; the books in the Myst games do many of the same things, mostly the world creation] though. I would have liked to see them used more, though, as far as the world creation] stuff goes.

I find it impressive that you were able to get this finished; two years is a long time to work on a brickfilm, and most people would lose motivation about a month or two in; so congrats.

Last edited by Littlebrick (January 1, 2010 (04:25pm))

Best VFX I have seen since Renewable.

you're reading the reviews MOL

lol, I had already watched it. I'm just saying, that, people should put stuff like that in spoiler tags....

Hmm...I'd be very interested to hear which Hans Zimmer score you thought this sounded like...very interested. And I'm very surprised and a little put out that you didn't even catch the blatant references to John Williams in the action cues.

I thought that, visually, the film excelled. The animation was nice, too, especially combined with real and CGI bricks.

As said before, some of the voice-acting was a little weak, but not a blunder to the film. Some more background noises might have helped as well. Like train noises at the train station, etc.

Excellent job! The story was fun to follow through and enjoyable !