MGS: Philanthropy

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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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.

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!

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.

Based on Hideo Kojima's critically acclaimed stealth game series Metal Gear Solid has become a huge success selling over 20 million copies worldwide and has a huge loyal fan following.

Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy is a fan film created by the loyal fans of the MGS video games and I must say they did a very, very good job! The movie is very true to the games and for those who have played the games will be happy to know that Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy stays in the same style and tone as the games. The CGI is very good for a fan movie and so is the acting even though it's been dubbed is still very good, Snake's voice and even his personality is exactly the same as he is in the games.

Fans of the games should definitely watch Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy as they would enjoy this movie and for non fans would probably see this as another low budget Sci-Fi flick. This is the best fan film based on a video game I have seen so far.

I've only seen Part 1 of Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy which only has a 60 minute runtime and I still look forward to part 2 and 3 when it comes.

9/10