Anyone who looks at a big-budget Hollywood film which came out in the past ten years that has been based off of a video game would probably come to the same conclusion: "That was crap." So what happens when you take away the big name actors, the million dollar special effects, and well, any budget whatsoever? A really great film, apparently. Meet Hive Division, a 50-strong team of dedicated film-makers who have just finished their first film (and first part of a trilogy), Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy.
Based on the popular video game series by Hideo Kojima, the film takes place in between Metal Gear Solid (Playstation) and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (Playstation 2). As the subtitle suggests, the film focuses on "Philanthropy," the anti-Metal Gear group founded by the series' hero Solid Snake (played by Giacomo Talamini, voiced by Philipp Sacramento), and Otacon (uncredited, only his voice appears in the film), master engineer and friend of Snake's. Labeled as a terrorist group by the media due to their extreme tactics, they pursue any path that leads to nuclear weapons with the singular goal of destroying them, and exposing the truth.
This film takes the team to a village deep in Russia, where they must find and rescue Senator Abraham Bishop (played by Giovanni Contessotto, voiced by Adam Behr). He is the only politician who has a strong connection with ArmsTech, the company responsible for producing the Metal Gear bi-pedal tanks which have the capabilities to launch nuclear weapons. The senator is to be brought back to the states where he is to stand trial for the bribes he has taken to make sure the truth about ArmsTech never leaked. If Philanthropy can prove Senator Bishop's guilt, then ArmsTech will have nowhere to hide anymore.
Although Snake usually goes solo, this time he has back up. His first task upon arrival in Russia is to meet up with two new members of Philanthropy: first class sniper Pierre Leclerc (played by Nicola Cecconi, voiced by Lucien Dodge) and former Delta force Corporal Elizabeth Laeken (played by Patricia Liccoroli, voiced by Laura Post), who has been "delisted due to disciplinary reasons."
The film does a great job in capturing the spirit of these games, from the camera angles to the pale coloring of the film. It even manages to re-create some of the lighter, more comedic moments in the series without feeling cheesy or forced. Another interesting point about the production of the film is that the entire thing is dubbed over by voice actors. While the dubbing is mostly on-point, there are moments where you can definitely notice that it is dubbed, which in a strange way only further adds to the video game cutscene aesthetic. The quality of the special effects in the film are also worth nothing. From gunfire, to explosions, to the Metal Gears themselves, the viewer will forget that they are watching a movie made with no budget.
Those who have never played a Metal Gear game will still be able to follow the story, but there are plenty of subtle things scattered throughout the film that the long-time fan will enjoy.
This hour-long film is packed full of action, character development, some witty dialogue, and a brilliant score (created by Daniel James). It is part one of what will, hopefully, become the trilogy it was envisioned to be. The Hive Division website says, in reference to the sequels,
I hope so, too. The film is available for free online for streaming or download. Any fan of the Metal Gear Solid series, or any supporter of independent film should do themselves a favor and check out this film now.
To watch the film, or to learn more information about the film and the Hive Division, go here: http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/eng/
The film does a great job in capturing the spirit of these games, from the camera angles to the pale coloring of the film. It even manages to re-create some of the lighter, more comedic moments in the series without feeling cheesy or forced. Another interesting point about the production of the film is that the entire thing is dubbed over by voice actors. While the dubbing is mostly on-point, there are moments where you can definitely notice that it is dubbed, which in a strange way only further adds to the video game cutscene aesthetic. The quality of the special effects in the film are also worth nothing. From gunfire, to explosions, to the Metal Gears themselves, the viewer will forget that they are watching a movie made with no budget.
Those who have never played a Metal Gear game will still be able to follow the story, but there are plenty of subtle things scattered throughout the film that the long-time fan will enjoy.
This hour-long film is packed full of action, character development, some witty dialogue, and a brilliant score (created by Daniel James). It is part one of what will, hopefully, become the trilogy it was envisioned to be. The Hive Division website says, in reference to the sequels,
"We do not really know when we’re going to produce
the two sequels of Philanthropy. This will depend
on many factors: the reaction of our public, the future
of professional Hive Division, who is looking for financial
partners to realize our next projects and partners to
become a real Production Studio, and, for sure,
Konami’s reaction to the project. We feel and hope that one
day Snake, Elizabeth, and Pierre will complete their journey."
To watch the film, or to learn more information about the film and the Hive Division, go here: http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/eng/
Otacon's dubber is William Martin.
ReplyDeleteThis movie is great. Every fan of MGS series MUST watch it. This movie is even better than hollywood crap.
ReplyDelete