MGS: Philanthropy

Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy is a true cinematic experience. Everything in this fan film is dead-on Metal Gear Solid. Anyone who doesn't see the parallels, or discounts them as too vague or unsubstantiated, do not know the MGS Universe.

The cast and crew of Philanthropy show a very unique and "solid" vision of the world they've created, and filled that world with everything the fans of the series have come to know and love.

Solid Snake is played close to perfection, giving hard advice and scholarly tips to the rest of his group, while showing deep reflections of his actions as the story progresses. His first line in the film, "That's war.", sums this up perfectly. As for the supporting cast, all of the actors play their parts with ease. Nothing seems contrived or hackneyed in their performances, as they get along very well together.

Even when we first meet Snake's contact, Pierre, it's obvious that great care was taken with the subtle nods to the MGS world, as this world class soldier was seen playing a Nintendo DS, an obvious tribute to the original Metal Gear Solid game on the PS system, where players can actually find the game's console in the game. And again in the Gamecube game The Twin Snakes, as players are treated to a Gamecube system inside the game itself.

With so many little tributes to the games throughout the film, you get an extremely detailed view of the filmmakers intentions: To Make THE Metal Gear Solid Film! Well, it is achieved.

Hollywood needs to take note. This is how you make a film based off of a successful video game franchise: With care, love, attention, and a good script behind it. Hive Division is well on their way to becoming a film group worth taking note of, and worth paying to see!

Every time I read news about Hollywood planing to make a Metal Gear Solid movie,I feel scared about how the new Hollywood would massacre the video game series.Giacomo Talamini has done exactly what the MGS saga deserves, a live action movie made from the love to the story and the characters and not from the love to the money, that is exactly what Hollywood makes these days,expensive movies without soul. Philantrophy really capture the essence of the video game, the Snake performance by Talamini is perfect,exactly as the snake of the games...the film quality is beyond be amateur, Giacomo shows a big sense of the image on every scene, knowing to chose the right shot on every moment,personally I love the way he uses the shadows enhancing the snake's dark side, this guy really has talent...the film is the first part of a trilogy, I really hope they can finish it..For me, this great film proves one thing, make a good film is not only about money, is about love what you do.The new Hollywood should learn from this guys

Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy is a non-profit fan-made movie based on the popular Meal Gear saga. The first part has an hour runtime and is part one of the Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy trilogy. Directed, written by and starring it is Italian film student, Giacomo Talamini as Solid Snake, the movie's premise takes the viewer into the unknown time between Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It is here where he is asked to recover an American senator, Abraham Bishop (Giovanni Contessotto, voiced by Adam Behr) from Daskasan, at the request of his son. The story unfolds as Snake is partnered up with skilled, but boyish sniper, Pierre Leclerc (Lucien Dodge, voiced by Harrison Bishop) and a seemingly troubled soldier, Elizabeth Laeken (Patrizia Liccardi, voiced by Laura Post).

Talamini has stated very explicitly that this movie was entirely fan-made, and came together with the aid of volunteers and amateur actors. The budget of approximately 9000 € was completely out of their own pockets and it clearly shows, both for better and for worse.

The movie itself is a very well put-together production. Talamini is clearly gaining his stride in the first half of the movie, but the cinematographic quality rises above and beyond amateur direction for the second half with great filming quality and choice of scenes. The locations chosen are simply superb, and where they lack in natural scenery, the graphics department is quick to assist. Don't be fooled – this is no highschool computer science project. The CGI, of course, is not to par with any Hollywood cinematics, but it is definitely impressive.

One of the most noteworthy and impressive aspects of the movie is Phillip Sacramento, the voice actor for Snake. It is probably one of the most important aspects to fans and he does a fantastic job, and does not leave fans disappointed at all. The movie also closes with a beautiful song by Aoife. Aoife is the woman who brought you the opening title song of the original Metal Gear Solid, and she volunteered her vocal talents for Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy.

The storyline however, leaves a lot to be imagined. Many mysterious concepts are introduced into the movie that are not explained. The only real qualms I have with the movie is the quality of the acting (which is slightly above average), and some of the character development. However, none of these aspects are terribly disheartening as 2 parts remain in the trilogy.

If my two cents are not enough, I'm sure Hideo Kojima's certainly is. He was quoted on his twitter as saying (in response to if he had watched Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy): "Of course I did. It's awesome. I felt like crying for their love towards Metal Gear. It's also a well made movie. I can't wait to see next part."

For the devoted fan (and Hideo Kojima), Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy is a great tribute to the gaming series that we have come to love. It will not garner new fans but will definitely impress the dedicated ones.

For more information, and to watch the movie, visit the official website at http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/

When I first started to watch this it seemed like it was off to a good start. Snake seemed to feel just about right and the atmosphere was gritty with a decent amount of visual affects given the incredibly low budget.

However, around midway through the script took a turn for the worse. The female lead doesn't suit what she's trying to play. It feels forced and unnatural. Seeing the secondary male playing a DS when he's found is also off color for the series as a whole.

At the later end of the film it gets to the point where its unrecognizable as a part of the Metal Gear ideas. While much of the games did have some sort of odd occurrence or seemingly supernatural act, there was truly only one character who's abilities went completely unexplainable by technological means (anyone who's reading this should already know who I'm talking about.) this one had it rather ramped throughout and somehow I doubt it'll be explained so easily, if at all, in the next installment.

Overall I give them a B+ for the effort that they put into it, and it does show because having done 3D modeling work myself I can say its no easy feat to put something together, then implement it into something outside the modeling program. However, the poor acting ability, the laundry list of Metal Gear universe errors, and forced 'romance' really drag down the film as a whole.

Being a big fan of the Metal Gear series of games I have always been watching out for any signs of movies, or fan productions based around the series. Watching Philanthropy brought back all the good memories of MGS: Snake was portrayed really well, and the voice acting was good as well - everything down to his movements were perfect.

I was slightly put off when I saw Pierre with the DS, but I suppose it plays to the humorous side of Metal Gear Solid and the quirks. I have to say though I wasn't impressed by the lead female, she seemed to bring the whole thing down - she just felt emotionless and dead, and the voice acting didn't match up to the standard of others.

Most of the CGI was very good for a budget production, but again some bits did show a few rough edges - but I don't mean any disrespect, what they have achieved here is excellent and especially as a fan production with a zero budget. I am really looking forward to the next instalments.