MGS: Philanthropy

Don't let the haters dissuade anyone from checking this out... Any TRUE Metal Gear Solid fan will enjoy it for what it is. A little more insight into the hero we all love, Solid Snake. Given the lack of funding, professional actors or a big name studio, the movie is excellently well done. There is some bad acting, poor production value and it's somewhat uneventful through the middle but even i can tell it is building toward a climax in the next movie. Hopefully the excellence of Solid Snake in this film will give Hive Productions a few more sponsors for the next film. If the could put together a film as good as this from nothing i cant wait to see what they can bring us with some financial backing.

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/

Anyone who knows me well can tell you I'm a huge Metal Gear fan. Aside from owning all of the games, which I've played way too many times, I've also amassed a large collection of original soundtracks and promo items from the past outings. While many speculated that this film would not make a hit like any Hollywood film, the truth is it really doesn't have to because its low budget and made with a passion by some dedicated Metal Gear fans. the role of Solid Snake is played by Giacomo Talamini, who put in an impressive appearance as our protagonist, along with Philipp Scramento lending his voice to do the gritty, scratchy voice over of Solid Snake. Talamini is about as close as you will get to what Solid Snake actually looks like, and that's a good thing. Initially there was a lot of cynicism on the part of both fans and critics. But word has it that Giacomo is just what the franchise needs. PHILANTHROPY represents the next step of Solid Snake's journey after Shadow Moses. This is how Snake became the legendary hero that we all know him to be and expect him to be. So the question on everyone's mind is "Does it work?" PHILANTHROPY opens with Solid Snake (Giacomo Talamini) finishing his mission at Outer Heaven in 1995 (Before METAL GEAR SOLID). This leads into another mission where he's assigned to infiltrate Daskasan (An area between Armenia and Azerbaijan) where he has rescue an American Senator called Abraham Bishop (played by Giovanni Contessotto and voiced by Adam Behr). The mission leads him to a man named Pierre Leclerc (played by Nicola Cecconi and voiced by Lucien Dodge), he is an expert mercenary sniper who is still learning about the tactics used on the battlefield, thus at times annoys Snake who wants to keep things professional. Snake decides that Pierre Leclerc is unprofessional and that he could end up getting everyone killed. Along the way he is assisted by a lovely former US Delta soldier named Elizabeth Laken (played by Patrizia Liccardi and voiced by Laura Post), Snake communicates over his radio to get updates and information from a new contact to the Metal Gear series named Harrison Bishop (played by Marco Saran and voiced by Lucien Dodge) Snake, Pierre and Elizabeth meet up with a local man named Vitalij (played by Andrea Furlan and voiced by Glenn X Govan), who seems to know all about what's happening in this secretive region of Daskasan.

I would've liked the concept of Solid Snake being used more instead of Pierre Leclerc referring to him as "Big Chief", that kind of storytelling could've also allowed for some incredible boss battles in this film. Just think of the possibilities. They could've had the Snake fighting against a Psycho Mantis type guy or a Vulcan Raven type character, or even a Colonel Volgin type enemy. Too bad I don't write these things. Look at this as a beginning of a new era for Metal Gear films. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess. This story sets things up for sequels nicely, which are already written and planned out, this could potentially allow what follows to be appropriately connected with this story. I look forward to more of this Snake and Metal Gear movie style. The bar is high, now let's see if they can keep it there.

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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

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.