Set down joysticks, grab some popcorn
Once upon a time, video games
and movies mixed like oil and
water. No, on further reflection,
they mixed like oil and a lit match.
Anyone who watched their
favourite films like Total Recall
and Back to the Future turned into
abysmal messes on the old
Nintendo Entertainment System
will confirm this, as will anyone
who sat through the motion picture
iterations of Double Dragon and
Super Mario Bros.
Thankfully, things have improved over the years. We have gotten some incredible Star Wars games, and some very enjoyable Resident Evil films. This week I'll be taking a look at two recently released DVDs based on hot video games.
Red vs. Blue Season 9 — Red vs. Blue is a long-running series based on the very popular Xbox series Halo. Now by looking at the cover artwork and reading a brief synopsis, you might be under the impression that this disc would feature undistinguishable red soldiers and blue soldiers battling it out for two straight hours. Thankfully, that is not the case. For while the series is not without its share of action, it is primarily a comedy.
The series is an example of machinima, which refers to the technique of taking footage from a video game and adding dialogue to it. In this case, the dialogue is profanity- laced and very funny. Far from being a series about nameless, faceless soldiers as I had feared, we get to know the main characters very well, as this is a very dialogue heavy production.
Originally presented online as 20 episodes, Red vs. Blue Season 9 is now available on DVD as a one 90-minute long production complete with director's commentary, deleted scenes and some humorous public service announcements.
Assassin's Creed Lineage (2009) — If you haven't heard of Assassin's Creed yet, I'm sure you soon will. The latest video game in the series, Assassin's Creed: Revelations was just released on November 15, and will be under many Christmas trees this year.
Ubisoft, the developer of the series, made the leap into the filmmaking business back in 2009 with Assassin's Creed: Lineage, a liveaction prequel to the Assassin's Creed II game. Unlike Red vs. Blue, this film does take itself seriously.
The short film takes place in 14th century Italy and introduces us to the hooded assassin Giovanni (father of Ezio from the games). A conspiracy is afoot to assassinate a powerful family, which will lead to a string of events that turn Italy upside down — who knows what that would do to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Luckily, Giovanni and his assortment of stabbing devices are present to intervene.
This is a very well done production. The acting is quite good, and it is very well shot. I'm not sure what the budget was, but it does not look like they scrimped at all. I knew nothing of the Assassin's Creed story going in, and after watching it, I wanted to know more.
Assassin's Creed: Lineage is now available on DVD. The film itself is 35 minutes long, but the disc contains 90 minutes of extras.
Red vs. Blue Season 9 and Assassin's Creed: Lineage are two very different productions. One is very comical and breezy, while one is dark and brooding. But they are both thoroughly entertaining, and show that video games can indeed be turned into watchable films. Now will somebody please get to work on a Tetris film?
Thankfully, things have improved over the years. We have gotten some incredible Star Wars games, and some very enjoyable Resident Evil films. This week I'll be taking a look at two recently released DVDs based on hot video games.
Red vs. Blue Season 9 — Red vs. Blue is a long-running series based on the very popular Xbox series Halo. Now by looking at the cover artwork and reading a brief synopsis, you might be under the impression that this disc would feature undistinguishable red soldiers and blue soldiers battling it out for two straight hours. Thankfully, that is not the case. For while the series is not without its share of action, it is primarily a comedy.
The series is an example of machinima, which refers to the technique of taking footage from a video game and adding dialogue to it. In this case, the dialogue is profanity- laced and very funny. Far from being a series about nameless, faceless soldiers as I had feared, we get to know the main characters very well, as this is a very dialogue heavy production.
Originally presented online as 20 episodes, Red vs. Blue Season 9 is now available on DVD as a one 90-minute long production complete with director's commentary, deleted scenes and some humorous public service announcements.
Assassin's Creed Lineage (2009) — If you haven't heard of Assassin's Creed yet, I'm sure you soon will. The latest video game in the series, Assassin's Creed: Revelations was just released on November 15, and will be under many Christmas trees this year.
Ubisoft, the developer of the series, made the leap into the filmmaking business back in 2009 with Assassin's Creed: Lineage, a liveaction prequel to the Assassin's Creed II game. Unlike Red vs. Blue, this film does take itself seriously.
The short film takes place in 14th century Italy and introduces us to the hooded assassin Giovanni (father of Ezio from the games). A conspiracy is afoot to assassinate a powerful family, which will lead to a string of events that turn Italy upside down — who knows what that would do to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Luckily, Giovanni and his assortment of stabbing devices are present to intervene.
This is a very well done production. The acting is quite good, and it is very well shot. I'm not sure what the budget was, but it does not look like they scrimped at all. I knew nothing of the Assassin's Creed story going in, and after watching it, I wanted to know more.
Assassin's Creed: Lineage is now available on DVD. The film itself is 35 minutes long, but the disc contains 90 minutes of extras.
Red vs. Blue Season 9 and Assassin's Creed: Lineage are two very different productions. One is very comical and breezy, while one is dark and brooding. But they are both thoroughly entertaining, and show that video games can indeed be turned into watchable films. Now will somebody please get to work on a Tetris film?
