If for nothing but the pure nostalgia of it, I’ve been looking forward to the upcoming animated Thundercats Movie. Thundercats actually comes pre-packaged with a good set of individual character, a nice little premies, and a boat load of history and respectable fan base. Early word was that Thundercats was going to be developed into a live action film, but in retrospect the animated road is probably the wiser one to take.
Having said all that, it looks like they’ve got themselves a “director” for the movie. I put “director” in quotes because up till now, his day job has been as a video game creator, Jerry O’Flaherty. The folks at moviehole give us tis:
The game creator says that video games are increasingly incorporating lavish animated sequences that mimic pics, making a toon a much easier transition. “It feels like a natural thing for me to step into,” he said. “Games have come so far now. The last four years of my life have been about bringing the energy of filmmaking into the videogame experience.”
Wow, ummm… ok.
It totally amazes me how some people just don’t see the difference between crafting a 90 minute narrative, bringing performances out of actors and guiding pace and story telling… and creating a video game cut sequence. To some people, it’s all just the same thing.
Take the generic Niel Blomkamp Halo videos that have been surfacing recently. They’re cute… for commercials. But that’s all they are. And yet, lots of fanboys all around the web jump up and down with puppy dog wagging tails proclaiming “SEEEE!!! He’s the perfect guy to direct Halo! He’s so awesome”. Sorry, they were commercials that showed nothing of his ability to create narrative, sculpt story, bring performances out of actors, set pace… you know, real directing stuff…. all those videos showed is that he’s a good visual effects guy… which we all already knew.
Anyway, back to Thundercats. It troubles me that a guy who makes video games seems to also hold the belief that they’re practically the same thing. They’re not, and I think Thundercats will suffer for it. I’ll be there to see the stupid thing opening day cause I’m a loser… but my expectations for it just went into the toilet.
John, have you seen ‘Alive in Joburg’ or ‘Tempbot’? Where’s the lack of narrative, story, or pace there? Clearly if the man is incapable of becoming the Halo director, surely he is at least working of taking over Battlestar Galactica.
And it’s “Neill.”
Considering the amount of music video and commercials directors who make feature films this is no surprise. I think a video game cut sequence director is a step up, though barely, as they do need some continuity and story flow rather than it just being a series of flashy images. Yes, it doesn’t stretch to full movie length. But 20 x 5 minute cutscenes are a lot closer than single 30 second commercials.
Why is anyone here surprised that Thundercats is Doomed? It’s noting but Furies with swords! Everyone who loved that needs leave this this show in the past.
I think Monty put it best by saying that cinematics in video games are only one part of the entire narrative.
This guy is coming from Epic, creators of the really great game Gears of War. Essentially this game guides you through a story using cinematics to highlight important points, and then voice over and art direction during the sequences you control, to provide character development and mood. Technically you could boil it down to a movie where you control the action scenes.
You are constantly being given story elements throughout the whole game, and I think the story is told really well. This guy could be very successful in creating a movie because high quality games like Gears of War require using things like pacing, visual effects, plot development, and great performances from actors (and I’m not just talking about voice overs, they also use motion capture technology to create characters just like a movie would).
Hey Katie,
You asked:
“Why would Warner Bros take a risk that big if they didn’t have reasons to think he could pull it off?”
I don’t know… why would Warner Bros risk that big if they didn’t think Pitof could pull off Catwoman? Look how that turned out.
I agree wholeheartedly with Mozzerino. Thank you for putting my disappointment with Transformers into words.
As far as this entry goes, I think you are being way too harsh, John. You can’t compare Jerry O’Flaherty to Neil Blomkamp. Jerry was an art director at Epic Games and has a background in film and performance art. Have you seen the cinematics from Gears of War? That game is so beautiful and Jerry can take credit for that.
As far as pulling inspired performances out of actors and story arcs are concerned, so many “real” directors with experience suck at this. Animated movies are a completely different beast. Why would Warner Bros take a risk that big if they didn’t have reasons to think he could pull it off?
John said:
“It totally amazes me how some people just don’t see the difference between crafting a 90 minute narrative, bringing performances out of actors and guiding pace and story telling… and creating a video game cut sequence. To some people, it’s all just the same thing.”
The story telling, in many videogames will often play out over the actual gameplay itself, not just through cutscenes, which are often only used to highlight certain plotpoints. As far as the narrative is concerned, games such as God of War, Prince of Persia, and Pyschonauts easily surpass many movies, including Transformers.
After seeing TMNT directed by Kevin Monroe, another guy who comes from the world of videogames, I’m personally more at ease at the prospect of Jerry O’Flaherty directing the Thundercats movie, as opposed to some directors who mechanically churn out paint-by-number movies and got their start directing music videos and tv commercials.
Oh, John! You baited me. I’ll bite.
Not sure how the Neil Blomkamp videos are “generic” (I’d argue that’s kind of the idea but…) I’m sure you wouldn’t mind elaborating?
I was wholly unimpressed with the first- nothing more than snippets using iconic Halo imagery. The second two, however, did carry a narrative (despite their short length) for those paying attention. However, just as you might not be able to pick up on characters and motivation, etc. jumping into Return of the King unversed, the same applies to backstory in the Halo universe for these shorts.
I could probably concede the character angle- not tough to scream and yell- the latter two were action sequences after all. But pace? I’d say it was pretty deliberate– balls out to the end.
As for proving he’s a good effects guy, he didn’t do the effects- digital effects were outsourced, while a division of the Weta team worked the tactile props and costumes. As far as directorial, the shots, blocking, camera use (degraded, etc.) you could certainly credit to him- and I don’t see any problems there.
Either way, Blomkamp is a moot point. As far as he and Halo are concerned, that door is shut. I just think some of your criticisms were a little unfair.
Hey Tormin,
You said:
“if he doesn’t have any past mistakes and has a clean slate then why not let him have a go at a movie.”
Because him “getting this chance” means that someone else, who actually TRAINED to direct film or has experience as an assistant director on film ISN’T getting this chance, and thus a beloved property like Thundercats is going to suffer for it.
I’d much rather see that Chance given to someone who is an actual director by training and experience.
i dunno…it seems like you might be a little too harsh on Jerry O’Flaherty he’s getting a chance to make a movie that he thinks will, in the end, come out to be a decent flick. I’m the type of person that likes to give everyone a chance, even if it is only ONE chance, who knows maybe he will do a good job, if he doesn’t have any past mistakes and has a clean slate then why not let him have a go at a movie.
You’re right, each to his own.
Hey Mozzerino,
You said:
“and frankly, I think you’re fooling yourself by simply wanting that movie to be much better than it actually is because you were so hyped up about it.”
Well, you’re wrong. Geezzz… I’ve got people telling me the only reason i HATE Spider-Man 3 was because my expectation were too hight and I was too Hyped for it. Now I’ve got you telling me i only LIKE Transformers because I was so excited and “hyped” about it.
I was more hyped for Phantom Menace… that didn’t effect me.
Nope, I like Transformers because it’s a great movie. Story, narrative, pace, performance, action, excitment… it had everything a film of its genre needed.
You disagree… and that’s cool. All film is subjective. Back on topic now.
Ahh man, I don’t know.
I just don’t get your elation for the Transformer movie at all and frankly, I think you’re fooling yourself by simply wanting that movie to be much better than it actually is because you were so hyped up about it.
The special effects were great, I give you that. And Shia did what he could to give this movie any kind of personality. But everything else was just…well, over-directed, badly written shit. Serious plot holes, dumb comedic numbers, action sequences that were not impressive, but mind-numbing and confusing and above all:
The Transformers and their enemies had next to zero personality. I couldn’t even really tell who’s good and who’s bad. Optimus was the only one who had some kind of character, all the other ones were lifeless.
Oh, and the pacing? Dude, don’t even get me started!
To me that movie lacked everything you demand from that Thundercats-Videogame-director dude.
Oh, and I’m aware this is totally off-topic.
The movie (Transformers) had wonderful pace, a fantastic performance was brought out of Shia, his parents, Tuturo… and it all fit in perfectly with the narrative they were telling. So no… I don’t see your point?
Hey Mozzerino,
No, they don’t contradict each other. Transformers was made by filmmakers who delivered a great film. I don’t see your point.
It amazes me John how you can say things like:
“It totally amazes me how some people just don’t see the difference between crafting a 90 minute narrative, bringing performances out of actors and guiding pace and story telling… and creating a video game cut sequence. To some people, it’s all just the same thing.”
and then make comments like this:
“Transformers was a wonderful, exciting, damn near perfection for a popcorn blockbuster type of movie that I personally just can’t get enough of.”
Don’t you see that those two statements totally contradict each over?