Neophyte-Ronin's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[I Remember Tingle...]

Nifty, Nifty, Nifty!

This was pretty cool--I remember Tingle from Majora's Mask. He could be one greedy punk. This was wry and ginger, through and through. Hopefully it's part of the official Zelda collection, somewhere....

There were plenty of mild problems. Artwork is simple and straightforward, and that is okay, but tweening, the thing you did to avoid having to do things by frame, did NOT look right, especially around the shoulders where they sometimes strayed somewhat off of the body (this in reference to the arm animations that helped shape the character's actions and reactions).

I recall Link is left-handed, and always has been. Lots of people get this wrong--you're not the only one--but a little known observation I realized from reading about it in the 16-bit age is how Link is, in fact, left-handed. He drew from his right.

The sound is another difficult problem--too soft. If it goes too low, your audience is bound to miss certain lines and cues that enhance the experience. In this case, it was difficult to pick up the lines, making it hard to follow. That's bad, especially since I could pick up how well-acted the show really was.

In all, you have what it takes to create funny cartoons in flash. Carefully noting the quality of the sound and making sure your tweens aren't too screwy will certainly improve your technique. If you're confident, try some mild frame-by-frame tricks--nothing full-body all at once, but be aware that tinkering with the character's objects into various schemes will keep the file size low and the possibilities for presentations high.

Dily responds:

My, I've read all your reviews, and they are sooo helpful! Thank you! This one was animated pretty quickly, mainly because I wanted to get something out there before I had to go back to school...I get down when I have to go long periods without "flashing". HAHAHA!! But I will definitely experiment with the animation techniques on a few bigger projects I have planned. Baby steps, I always say. Practice, and one day you will be good!
Once again, THANK YOU!! You don't know how helpful this truly is!! I appreciate the time and effort that went into watching and reviewing my movies!

[Misplaced Turnabout]

It Made me Smile

Anything that makes me smile automatically gets an approval. It also made me grin... and then it made me laugh. And you had silly puns and jokes lining the credits, so that made the experience even better.

It was cheeky fun. I'd recommend you keep at flash. Problems include pacing and lack of voice acting, which might actually be cheeky even if you couldn't get a flawless performance from everyone. I'll check other submissions to see what you're made of.

Dily responds:

Haha, your review is very kind. This was my very first flash. (Umm..submitted flash, I should say. My REAL first flash...well, the Pope, the President, and the Dalai Lama has asked me nicely not to speak of that again...) I look back now, and think of how little I knew...and how much I've learned. Like Movie Clips! I'll be damned! Who knew those could be useful?!?! Anyway, thank you again for your wonderfully helpful reviews. "The Big Fat Tutorial" (as I saw in your "Flash by ..." box. Made me say "Hooray!" when I saw it.) has been an extraordinary resource in my Flash endeavors.

[(Old) T.F.A.A.o.M. Intro]

You've Improved....

After watching your music video, I've realized that this submission is a perfect precursor to it, which incorporates much of the style and the talents used by the later work.

Graphics are a six.
Actually, I'd put three or four, since there isn't much to it, and you use ripped images in the sequence, so some signs of laziness show.

Style is a Seven
Honestly, you can just see the kind of characters you'd later create for the music video with this scant piece. A series you never made... but anyone can tell that you adopt a clear cartoon style in flash, and that you used this style later. If you pursued the series, it might actually have been good.

Sound is Ten
Once again, you not only kept clarity of music intact (wise choice nowadays), you also made sure that everything is synchronized. The little things you watched would indicate this as a perfect strength, especially when crafting the music video.

Violence is Zero.
Nothing but freak accidents as far as I can tell....

Interactivity is Zero.
Just a single button. I don't hold that against you.

Humor is Zero.
Ah, it's just a series that never came to light. I can't tell if the characters are outrageous or anything, and I never judge books by covers.

Overall is a Six.
With a little more effort, it could have went somewhere, but it's fascinating to watch and see how you went about developing the music video that hit #1 of all time. Watching one while analyzing the other proves that you've improved considerably. Again, I hope you're not quitting while you're ahead with Flash.

RWappin responds:

Actually, I probably AM still going to make this series. The intro you see here is only a mere shell of what it's going to be though.

Thanks for the review!

[Albuquerque: THE MOVIE]

Did Al Contact You Yet?

This has to be one of the toughest things to let pass ("I Hope You're Not Using Dial-Up!") but you got #1 and you're in the top 50 of all time. While that might rapidly change, Lord knowing that thing has to even out after a couple of months, the fact that you captured #1 at all has to be of some relevance on my next question:

Have you contacted Al about Albuqerque: THE MOVIE yet?

This is something he ought to have on his website (just because!) and you might even be able to get some money. Well, maybe not, but it sure would be a vanity while pimping flash talents to an agency or animation shop that you did, in fact, get Weird Al's attention about an excellent piece of work. Pat yourself upon the back and keep at it.

As for the submission itself....

Graphics are a Nine.
Why? Well, it all falls into place, though it does seem kind of simple. Fortunately, it is perfectly synchronized with the music, including the lip synchronizing. The only reason it's not quite a ten is because, at times, it does seem kind of plain, or lacking of detail. Then again, do people really care when they're having this much fun?

Style is a Ten.
It's got the perfect cartoon edge to the whole thing, making this an excellent demonstration of your skill and flair. I certainly hope you're working on another Flash project.

Sound is a Ten.
Not because of the choice of song (can't quite go wrong with Weird Al, really...), but because it actually sounds right. There's no muffling or excessive file size reduction. It sounds crisp, it sounds clear. It sounds awesome. Best of all, as per the classic style of music video, you did not bother to insert additional sounds (none that I could readily tell at least), so you ride on the song itself to convey the imagery. That can be difficult for some people. For you, it's a matter of course. For an Al song, it should be easy to generate ideas, but you make it look even easier than that.

Violence is Ten.
I recall some gross moments. It's either a 0 or a 10 for me; if there's blood and guts, ten it is.

Interactivity is Zero.
Sit back and watch the movie. Interactivity is not necessarily relevant here, anyway.

Humor is Ten.
What else did you expect? Some lame-o complaining that you ripped off Weird Al or rode his easy sails or something? That isn't the case here; to convey imagery from a piece of music is hard whether or not there's any narrative or goofiness entailed. You don't see too many music videos at Newgrounds, since not only must you pick a song and compose a decent set of images, you also have to restrict file size and other contemptible little things. Collaborations are even harder to sell. Sufficed to say, you kicked butt with this sucker through perfectly interpreting the insane imagery of Weird Al's epic about Albuquerque, and let's leave it at that.

Overall is a Nine.
No, make that a TEN! I haven't seen too many music videos that even come close to rivalling this one. Anytime you set a standard to be followed or (by luck, maybe) surpassed, you tend to deserve nothing less.

RWappin responds:

Wow! Nice review. :D

To answer your question, Al didn't contact me yet, but I'll be psyched if he does. I don't really know how to contact him...

[Silent Hill 2: CE]

Solid (in six weeks' time?)

I'm amazed you completed this in six weeks. It's a truly unforgiving satire about one of the best overlooked games out there, one that combatted conventions on what a game is made of, while still having enough irritating slights to pick on.

Graphics are granted a Seven. The style is cool and the characters are decently animated, though there are times when tweening is overused. The use of simple characters had a good bearing on why the file size is low compared to other submissions seen in the top 50. It's not avant garde or complex, and while they aren't intended, time is best spent on improving the look and feel of the characters for the next movie.

Style is granted a ten. It goes hand-in-hand with the humor, but a chibi ("cute") representation of what is otherwise a truly grisly experience goes hand-in-hand with the satire. Also, you grasped the game itself flawlessly; you clearly spent a good deal of time actually playing the game to make those jokes work. Having the voice talent that is more than competent also helps out a great deal. They might not get the sound of the voices, but acting and inflections are excellent. Be sure that next time, James isn't the only guy around (the stuff coming out of Angela was hilarious, especially the complementary grafitti in backgrounds when she spoke). Only real gripe in style (and it doesn't register as a minus): the narrator was a bit trite. Either lose him and try some other device to advance the narrative, or improve the jokes associated with him.

(An added note: many satires tend to bleed outside of the world they're satirizing for quick laughs. Nowhere in this satire did you do that. That "internal consistency" of staying well within the Silent Hill universe is a trait you ought to keep, because it works insanely well. An example of bleeding out would be featuring Solid Snake--'cause he's a Konami-license character--popping out of nowhere for a cheap couple of laughs.)

Sound is granted eight. Use of authentic Silent Hill soundtracks and sounds helps to paint the image. The voice-overs' sound quality is reasonably good--quite good, without any distortions or heavy muffling.

Violence goes hand-in-hand with Silent Hill. It was never meant to be viewed by small children, for example. It has to be a ten (especially with that Looney Tune plank sequence!).

Interactivity is Zero. This is a movie, not a game. Don't feel bad when they give this a zip. Feel a bit perplexed when they do place a score on it (like a ten, for example--when there's nothing interactive about the experience!).

Humor is eight. Some things missed, like the narrator or the retard moments that take a little too long. The intro sequence, like the mirror and reading the note (hearing that is why I watched it three times already!), are definitely up there in terms of why you'd even attempt this movie.

Overall: 8
After six weeks of effort, you created something that's over the 4.00 range and, despite minor aches, shows the promise of a whole series of scathing tributes to an overlooked game. There are plenty of Resident Evil and other such tributes, but I never saw one about Silent Hill that I can remember as funny. Keep up the good work, and know that I'm rooting for you.

[LL - Final Fantasy: Lawk]

A Lock Flash Actually Tickled ME!

I tend to shy from Clock, Glocks, and Locks. The Star Syndicate are a wonderful bunch, too. Still, this one deserves its excellent score and front page honor, because it happens to be funny at some level.

The regular stuff I hate with these flashes by Locks and Clocks are readily apparent. That computer voice, for one. Everything got done in three days because nobody wanted to do a little voice casting...

Still, it's short and to the point. If you're a Final Fantasy fan, you'll certainly get most of this material. I really like the five-second escape sequence, and the pop-ups. And the Draw Point! I didn't think anyone was really a fan of Final Fantasy VIII around Newgrounds!

Well, this is a four out of five. Considering the agility of its author to come up with a few hearty ribs and display them effectively, it deserves that much, regardless of his or her affiliations.

[Attack of the Monoids]

Hey, is this going to be a series?

Okay, this tickled me twice. This looked so absurd, and the artistry in flash was incredibly slick. The downside? It ended quickly, though it started slowly. It was just so incredibly stupid as to give a guy a laugh or two.

4 out of 5.

[Strategy Guide Ep. 4]

What Took You So Long!

What was the hold-up, man? Strategy Guide has got to be one of the next major series on video games (of the past), and you slacked off for a year or more! Look, buddy, nothing personal, but you have to make this into a routine endeavor.

I have a few peeves, but they're minor. For one, your humor is on the spot, but using more music would spruce things up a little. Dead air is something you should avoid (e.g., just before Guido's stoned relative shows up, there is a pause of more than five seconds without anything said while he jumped off the television screen). Some parts could be tightened up a little, that's all.

The other minor peeve I have about the series is... well, actually I like the series... a lot! Though you haven't improved technically, or introduced anything radically new to the format (which would necessitate an absence), I certainly like how the format is. It isn't broken, and doesn't need any fixing. The theme song is still cool (have yet to purchase that CD), and Guido is still a loveable jerk. I certainly wish he'd lose his cool more often and scream "M.F." more often, but that's still a minor peeve that is compensated by solid writing.

Never take off for more than a year again. 4 out of 5 for you.

[Icons Ep 1]

Just seems average...

While objectively well made, this packs little beyond exploding children, a Minibosses soundtrack, and possible greatness installed for the future. This "pilot" would not sell too well to actual network executives, since it leaves a miserable first impression.

One problem is voice-overs. They aren't wooden, but technical issues immediately surface: poor mixing and quality. Adjust the clips to 24 kbps for voices and 48 kpbs for the music. In the background, use a single, muted, streamed audio loop to maintain animation speed. Streamed sounds are muffled, but force the animation to keep pace with what's happening.

Another problem lies in the script. Randomness does not equal funny without some hand-waving (quick explanation to move the script forward). Many jokes (except the Duck Hunt Dog) land gracelessly upon the pavement and grind your faces against it for fifty feet or more. And the material is uninspired; these jokes work with precise timing, but otherwise, it did not make me laugh.

Also, if it's not uninspiring, it's hackneyed. You're lucky the NG drones still buy into irony and cynicism, which dominate the site's philosophy on comedy. This flash continues that trend and follows the motions by the numbers.

And a personal gripe: you didn't introduce all the main characters, a cardinal sin for series pilots. Once again, I detect irony and cynicism. This young woman in the cast intro never made an appearance. Whether it is a failure to notify and recruit a female voice actress before production, or you deliberately tease the audience into false expectations of what's to come... you fail on both counts.

If this sounds harsh, it is. I'm tired of flash shows that parade sardonic twenty-something white males as if being a smart-ass wins you the lottery. Still, I would be infinitely impressed (and relieved) if you set out to utterly prove me wrong in the future. I don't wish for you guys to give up before trying.

2 out of 5 for decent effort.

TheTreeman responds:

your comments are duely noted, and while ive said this accouple times. this is more of an animated comic strip than a cartoon. and hopefully in time will cement itself as and original series. not introducing all the characters was decided do to the fact that there was no real place to fit every person in. and rather than just introduce a person for the sake of there in the intro credits, i felt would of been to forced. i thank you for the info on fixin the sound. cuz as much as i tryed nothing worked so thanx for your comments.

[Decline of Video Gaming 3]

Humanize the "God"

Just as "The Decline of Video Gaming" underscores some of the principle flaws of the industry, so does it share similar problems, none of which destroy its real worth as one of Newgrounds' best satires.

The first issue: voice acting. The main characters sound disenchanted, yes, but they (and everyone else, except for the lady--she sounded good) came off as flat and stolid. Send rehearsal clips and receive feedback before sending a final version. Never hold back when speaking lines and let them flow out as naturally as possible. If there's a hint of strain, it's wooden.

The next problem deals with sound compression. The streaming audio (I'm guessing it's streamed) is so badly muffled, you really need to crank the volume to hear a conversation. Even if you have to submit something much beyond 10 MB (you got away with 7.5 already), do anything that will prevent your sound quality from managing to shovel through the planet's core even after hitting rock-bottom.

The last problem is the screenplay. Face it, it rehashed everything we came to expect; such is the fate of sequels. You'd think the villains would change, or that you'd discuss the stagnation or lack of innovation in favorite genres (such as first-person shooting games). The first two in the Decline series were funnier because they were fresher. Don't get me wrong--I did laugh--but be sure you introduce fresher material next time. I did consider the efforts your groups took in revamping the the series' visual style with new flash techniques, and that is where your short film shines.

So, this is an objectively good flash--superior to most of the stuff that comes through--just add fresher content, adjust the sound quality, or just work on your acting skills, and you'll wow them with the anticipated sequel (sigh).