Star Wars: Revelations

I'm trying real hard to judge this movie based on the fact that's it's fan-film and had virtually no budget, but it's tough.

Impressive special effects, the story is OK i guess, and plenty of cool costumes. But trying to watch this movie amidst the horrible acting and dialogue is definitely a test of patience. If I were making a film like this, I wouldn't be in it - because I know i suck at acting. I would find some friend or family member who at least semi-decent and cast them. I'm sure the fame and fortune would be enough to make up for the non-existent salary ;) But seriously, I appreciate the film for what it is - but I can't give it more than 5/10 stars.....

I didn't expect much from this film, because I understood it to be a low-budget fan film, created by amateurs. I must also note that I liked the first three films, but haven't really enjoyed the last two all that much.

Revelations was a hell of a lot better than I expected. The fight scenes were fun to watch, the pacing was tight (it's only forty minutes long, but they pack a lot of action into that time frame), and the special effects were jaw-droppingly good. I was very impressed with the cityscapes, chase scenes, and CGI/actor interaction. Later, while watching with commentary, I learned that a number of elements that I'd assumed were real-world were, in fact, computer-generated.

The acting? Well, what the hell, it's not like the last couple of movies set the bar really high... But I thought it was okay. Oscar-worthy? Well, what do you think? Come on, it was shot on weekends for thirty grand. By volunteers. But, I got to confess, the characters grew on me. Some of the performances were obviously done in front of static screens, but some of them were really effective. And Christ, that one guy sounded just like Vader.

Costumes were astounding, the banter had some really good ANH-style one-liners in it, and the DVD was laid out professionally. The full-size MOV download is about 350 megs, but it's so worth getting the DVD version and watching it on a big TV with the sound turned up (sound design was excellent -- the lightsabers sounded perfect, and the music was well done).

Few low-budget movies cause people to pound the arm rest and laughingly yell obscenities at their friends, then shake their heads. This was one of them. Impressive!

Well, first off I would just like to say that it was a very good effort. I hope they continue and improve. Things look very promising.

First, the good.

I loved the special effects. Not quite Lucas, but very few professionals ever are! Light saber duels looked convincing enough, though not as fast as in the professional movies.

Declan's ship. Nice design. It was a cool looking space vessel, even Lucas should take notes on this one.

The city, party scenes, storm troopers, all well done. Some quick clips obviously borrowed from the movies, with the tie fighters and pilots, but the whole layout had the look and feel of a professional movie. The sets, backdrops, and locations all looked professional.

The plot, I thought, was also well written. The names nicely thought out. The sophistication was there and the ideas interesting.

Very well done.

Now the bad.

The first thing I noticed was the actors. Now, I am no actor, and I am no Harrison Ford or Ewan Mcgreggor, but the actors and actresses just did not look convincing or anywhere close to professional. Now, don't get me wrong, I know this is an amateur production, but if they spent all that effort with the set designs, CGI, artwork, and realistic light saber duels and ship to ship combat, they should have also perhaps thought about better actors.

OK, I know I'll get flamed for this, but the actors were a little pudgy and not as attractive. The first scene cuts to Taryn in her ship. I am sorry, and I apologize to the actress, but she is just not visually stimulating. In fact, she looks so amateur in appearance that I shut off the clip and came back to it later after deciding to give it another chance. The make-up looked amateur, and she was just not .... charismatic. Yeah, I know, they are amateurs. But surely in the Stars Wars fan base there are better looking people and better actors who would jump at the chance for recognition. Of course, if it were just a garage project for fun, I could understand casting friends and neighbors, and I could accept that ... but, then there are those awesome special effects, CGI, space battles, space ships, so to even it out, they really needed attractive and charismatic actors. Maybe I am asking too much, but I thought that was what it lacked. There were extras who certainly looked more attractive.

Also, the main actors all looked a little flabby or less muscular than I believe a Jedi would look. I envision Jedi knights, or warriors, to be in a little more shape. Declan's beer gut was bulging, but then again perhaps this was realistic for a space smuggler type, though Harrison Ford was certainly the opposite.

The acting, at times was fair, and could pass as a low budget movie, but I have seen better acting in college plays and acting school productions.

I don't want to be two harsh, but what I see is a great effort with the look and feel, but a let down with the main characters due to their visibly amateurish abilities.

I compare this to Troops and IMPS where I thought the acting was definitely a step up, but then again they all wore armor and helmets! But, with better trained actors, this could turn into something! Looking forward to more from these people.

The advent of readily available CGI technology now allows many people to produce, with some effort and some expense still, I might add films/ videos of the calibre of big budget films.

The most interesting aspect, aside from the film itself (on which I shall comment further) is the question it raises about the huge amounts of finance that 'need' to be poured into Hollywood films. On the strength of this work by a relatively few dedicated people working for NOTHING and with a budget (insofar as I know) of AROUND $24000, the glaring disparity becomes clear, how much money is simply being poured down the toilet? how many millions? where is it all going? can actors still be justified in receiving pay packages of millions per film? No, not really, and a production such as this one will make people more aware of this fact. So well done for that.

To the film- Bad points: Cheesy props ( the holocron), some awful attempts at voice impressions ( the emperor )- when will people learn that an American cannot dub the voice of an Englishman?! Especially with villains such as grand moff tarkin, count dooku and any sith with the exception of Darth vader , but then again James earl jones accent is very correct anyway and the voice is distorted. But an American 'drawl' Doesn't work! it's about as evil as a rubber chicken.

TIE fighter pilots in awful choreography.

Peoples hair is much too clean and well cared for (Declan) in fact most things could have done with being a bit more worn looking.

Otherwise, Good points: Great costumes, amazing CGI, as good as a 'Proper' cinematic release, Costumes are great, nice park lightsabres popping out and going zummmmm, and the MUSIC is, well GREAT!!! Lightsabre fighting isn't that amazing however.

It doesn't really rise much above the standard of TV series such as 'xena' and 'hercules' but for a fan film, thats amazing.

Wow, Cant say how much I'm disappointed with the shooting of this movie. I don't understand why they didn't at least shoot this video in 24fps to make it look more movie-like. Shooting this video with 33fps or what ever they used, has made it look like a cheap homemade video.

The actors are terrible and their dialogs are even worse. I don't understand, did these guys get permission from Lucas arts to make this video?

The CG in this video,,, well can't complain much, in contrast to the rest of the production, it's a master piece. I have seen more professional productions with less CG quality.

It's a shame to leave such a production in the handful of UBER amateurs. But then i guess if your connected you can do anything in Hollywood. The fans curiosity will make them watch it in the end. But don't expect anything and you will not be disappointed.

I give it five stars for the CG work. Good work guys.