Nydenion

Terrible acting, awful effects, but totally entertaining in a really weird way. It's funny and tragic and a unique film lovers gem. I knew nothing about the 12 years it took to complete or the micro budget or that it was German. I thought the poor dubbing was just out of sync post-production voice over recording probably due to bad sound or...then I observed that all the actors have horrible teeth and thought, ah, it must be Russian or Polish or ...ultimately German. Gee there recent television shows and movies are so awesome...and this has its own awesomeness but because it's so darn bad.

First, I have to say I waited about eight years to see this film. I discovered this film's website around 2004. I watched its progress and finally found the film on the German Amazon site. I was not disappointed. "Nydenion" is a great slice of independent Science Fiction film making. Too often, reviewers compare these films to their big budget brethren. Yes, I am certain many "indie" or low budget film makers have grandiose ideas of making the next "Star Wars" or "Bladerunner". Its true, it would be awesome to have that kind of meteoric success out of the gate. But most low budget sci-fi film makers have limitations, generally it is budget. Budget limits everything, including visual effects, locations, quality of acting as well as production design, costumes, props even the story can be truncated by the budget. In big budget films you buy your way out of this. I know, I have worked on my share of big budget stinkers. Anyone remember "Super Nova"? Anyway, all that said, having received the film in the mail I wasn't expecting Star Wars. What I got was a cool story of a washed up ace fighter pilot sent on a secret mission with a shadowy taciturn passenger that he may or may not be able to trust. A taste of futuristic, corporate warfare and intrigue, topped off by betrayal. If it had a real budget and name actors most sci-fi fans would be ponying up 12 bucks in their local cinema on any given summer weekend to watch this film. Yes, the main characters are a bit stoic but I get the impression most people are, in this bleak future. I give these film makers kudos for the visual effects, production design, props and costumes. All that coupled with a pretty good score and story. "Nydenian" beats 90% of the made for Sci Fi Channel movies, out of the gate. I have worked on a few of those as well. You won't be wasting your time to give it a look.

It's TRUE science fiction. While students may have done it doesn't mean it was not bad. Just because Hollywood didn't produce it is not a reason to crap on it like the previous review. Graphics very good. Acting is not bad either. It could have been far worse. It got a complete 10 for not being a horror or fantasy movie dubbed science fiction. I hate it when somone calls horror or fantasy science fiction. That's like someone calling a Millenial a Baby Boomer.

Finally, Nydelion was finished last year, after twelve years of production, a totally independent project, even seemingly dead for a while. Today, this may be not a big thing, after movies like 'Star Wreck', with similar budget (near zero) endless production time, and non-profit attitude.

One thing is to say, you will recognize the long time the movie took to be finished. Because it is a project supported by model artists, there are several scenes obviously with space ship models and not like 'Star Wreck' with its completely Computer generated CGI. You will also certainly recognize the various blue/green-screen backgrounds.

But generally the effects are good, and, what matters, there is an atmosphere, which takes you into the movie, especially while the two main characters are 'on the road' together.

The story itself is admittedly not the stroke of a genius, it's a bit of Star Wars and Firefly together, the plot is very simple. But with the lack of adventurous SF in these days, it's still good for a nice video evening.

The Actors do their best, and I assume they are mostly semi-professionals or amateurs or students. What is really good are the voice actors. In Germany it is common to overdub, but actually foreign movies, not German movies. I can't say which voice is dubbed, but there are certainly some. That takes the movie to a higher level of professionalism.

Nydelion is, with its serious approach, not better than 'Star Wreck', but also not inferior to. I recommend to buy it on DVD to support the efforts of those many participants and the brains behind. What you will get back is a nice little SF adventure that sometimes look a bit old-fashioned.

Every single person manages to have a completely blank face: no emotions whatsoever. It is dubbed: so the mouths don't agree at all. The dubbed texts were read by people who probably didn't even see the flick. News readers express more intonation. The story was probably about ten lines, of which half were scrapped. It hardly makes sense. Why go through all that trouble making beautiful ships and background without some exciting story? The execution of the dogfights was pretty good: but why the lame tactics and choreography? It was a relief it was over - for my ears: the wall of cinematic music starts on the first second and doesn't stop until the last.