FightingSeraph's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[Starbarians Teaser]

This looks like it could eclipse Ren & Stimpy.

I really like the style that you have there, Harry. Sure, many a dipshit will accuse you of copying off John Kricfalusi, but most of them can't draw, animate, or time comedy as well as you can. With that out of the way...

In terms of art and animation, I really dig the one part Bakshi, one part Kricfalusi, and one part Ricky Gervais style that you have there. Plus, the animation is excellent for something so short. Now, why can't Sirkowski (who hasn't been funny since 2004) or Chester Kwan (Look up "That's Totally BS") put forth this kind of effort? Soundwise, Nice use of Brian Sadler's music for various background cues, and the voices are great. Then there's the content, I thought this was funny, but it could have been funnier considering the story. Plus, seven megabytes is way too big for something that's rather short; you might want to look up flash optimization methods.

What I do like:
-Mildly amusing
-Great art and animation
-Kickass soundtrack and voices
-Original, which means little when compared with the actual execution.

What I don't like:
-The filesize is ludicrous for something so short
-Could have been much funnier
-People are going to compare the style to Ralph Bakshi, John K, and Ricky Gervais.

Overall: In spite of the problems this has, I still enjoyed this. Here's a nine out of ten, and you ought to work on the flaws before you do a full-length version of this.

[Read Only Memory: Vol 1]

Funnier than both of the Nin10doh! collabs.

While this did have its flaws, I found this funnier than Kirbopher's Nin10doh collabs, and you made it more unique by making it coherent. Sure video games are an overdone subject on NG, but it's the execution that counts. With that out of the way...

In terms of art and animation, this is one of the better flash on here. I have to say that the drawn graphics and the backgrounds were well done, but the sprites looked distorted. You may want to consider teaming up with an experienced sprite animator for any future installments. In terms of sound, the voices were great, and the music used fit the individual parts. Then there's the content, which has some notable flaws. While the direction is excellent and most of it was funny; the Zelda segment was overcliche and boring. I mean, jokes involving the Zelda cartoon (underrated) and the CD-i Zelda aren't funny, and Michaelangelo's appearance didn't elicit any laugher, and therefore was unnecessary . However, as I said before, the other segments were pretty damn funny.

What I did like:
-Great art and animation
-Great sound production and voice acting
-Mostly funny
-Cool transitions

What I didn't like:
-The fact that this is another VG flash
-The sprites look all distorted
-The Zelda segment wasn't funny.

Overall: In spite of the flaws, I'm awarding this an eight for making me laugh.

Shamoozal responds:

Not sure how the sprites are distorted. I took them right from sprite sheets. I mean, I had to enlarge some of them to fill the HD resolution, maybe that's what you mean by distorted? Running them in their native resolution just wouldn't work right. Unless I'm missing something?

Anyway, thanks for the comments!

[Albert The Abortionist]

Newgrounds needs more of this stuff!

This is the kind of material reminiscent of Evil Dave, Fat Dime Studios, and what not that was made back in 1999-2001. A nice little throwback to the time before people weren't concerned with production value, pretty art/animation, etc. With that out of the way...

In terms of art and animation, you went the opposite route of Premie Petey: the Living Abortion by having everything done in silhouette. While they look a bit crude, they get the point across. Plus, I liked that background texture that you used, which fit that back alley setting quite nicely. In terms of sound, I like how you used all those sound effects during the actual procedure, plus the voice acting was pretty good. Kudos for you using a song by Aap, the same guy behind Gher (which I also like). As for the humor, I love seeing this kind of sick humor on here, a sign of originality and creativity in my book. In other words, I found this to be pretty funny.

What I do like:
-Original, which takes a backseat to the execution.
-Funny
-Good voice acting
-Nice use of sound effects
-Clever use of music

What I don't like:
-The filesize could have been smaller for something as short as this.

Overall: Here's a nine out of ten for this overlooked piece.

[Triumph des Erdbeere]

Creative and funny!

If Strawberry Clock had your knowledge and skills in Flash and Photoshop nine to ten years ago, he would have been a true king of the Portal. To be honest, I don't mind you Clock/Lock guys as long as you produce quality cartoons and aren't annoying other users. Sure, the use of imported graphics will piss off a lot of people, just like sprite movies, but there hasn't been any notable imported photo animations since 2002 with the exception of the Kubby Chronicles. With that out of the way...

In terms of graphics, they may consist of imported pictures, but the pics used were of good quality and well animated. Plus, I like how you mixed monochrome and full colors together, creating a mixed media effect. However, in the car chase scene, the wheels on the Aston Martin had no animation. In the sound department, I like the songs that you selected for the BGM. The voices may not be the best, but I also like how you mixed those ripped from various movies and the text-to-speech kind. The only problem with this is that it goes out of sync with the animation on older computers. Then there's the content: for a polarizing bunch of users on this site, I thought it was pretty funny. Plus, the directing for something like this puts many well-known series to shame.

What I do like:
-Nice use of manipulated photos
-Nice mix between monochrome and full color.
-Funny and well directed.
-Nice mix between real voices and text to speech.
-Creative

What I don't like:
-The fact that this is a Clock movie, which haters will bash regardless of how good or bad it is.
-Not everyone will like how random this is.
-Could have been optimized better.
-Imported photos and soundbytes will put off snobbish dickheads or anyone else opposed to such.

Overall: If all Clock movies were like this, the Clock Crew wouldn't be so polarizing on NG. Here's a nine out of ten for proving that not all Clock movies suck.

[Pleasure Island 3]

Pretty fuckin' badass!

I have to say, you have improved on your animation signifigantly since the last two episodes. Plus, I like how you had the balls to have Fernando make out with Randy in one scene. Sure, the part about him hunting squid may be absurd, but luckily doesn't take itself seriously.

In terms of art and animation, the improvements you've implemented made this look like something that would give Fallen Angel major competition. Plus, the angle choices were a nice touch. Shows how much you have progressed since the early days of Greasy Moose. Soundwise, I really dug the musical score you did for this, but Fernando's voice wasn't very good and you could have did a few more takes to get it right. On the other hand, the other character voices were great. As for the content; A nice mix between the kind of comedy from Crotchless Chaps and the action from the Stick Slayer. The pacing was excellent and I was laughing all the way through.

What I do like:
-Funny
-Mostly well-written
-Nice music
-Great direction
-Great voice acting except for Fernando

What I don't like:
-Fernando's voice could have been done better.
-Huge Filesize
-The squidhunter subplot could have been better developed.

Overall: Now why can't Clock Suckers and Wacky Game Jokez 4 Kidz be up to par with this? Here's a ten out of ten for something well-made and hilarious, Sexual Lobster.

Sexual-Lobster responds:

thanks v much!

[Rapture's Best&Brightest]

Not bad for a first flash, but not great.

Look, I don't have a problem with videogame flash as long as the results are good, but this doesn't have the entertainment value of either Visitor from Proxima or Two Nerds and A Robot. However, that was comparing apples to oranges. Hnilmik, you have a long ways to go if you want to be with Scar Theatre, Randy Solem, McFretN (Check out Combat Instinct if you want to know who he is), Bobert-Rob, Dean Packis, and many others. On the other hand, it's much better than most first time submissions on Newgrounds. With that out of the way...

In terms of graphics, the drawings are nice along with the angle choice, but the only real animation were the bubbles that were coming from below. Plus,the fins on the fish have no animation at all, which could have helped. As for the filters, don't be like Jazza and Alvin Earthworm by splurging on the blur effects since more filter use equals more processing power to render them without it lagging. In terms of sound, the music was alright, but didn't fit with the mood you were trying to set. The voice acting wasn't bad in terms of the actual acting, but why couldn't you do the woman's voice? I found Sapphire's voice to be a bit annoying and out of place, but not as annoying as the voices in Tarboy or $00pah Nin10Doh. As for the content, you chose a nice behind the back shot for this, but writing was nothing special and could have used a somewhat tighter pace. Another piece of advice from someone who has seen thousands of flash movies: Learn how to optimize your swf files because 2.5 megabytes for something this short is ludicrous, especially considering that I've seen flash that was better animated and directed, but had smaller filesizes.

What I did like:
-Nice drawings
-Passable voice for the executive
-Passable music
-Somewhat fresh subject
-Not bad for a school project

What I didn't like:
-The fact that this is another VG flash.
-Very little animation
-The female voice was somewhat annoying.
-Needlessly big filesize for something short. (This could have been 800k to one megabyte)
-Could have used a better pace.

Overall: While something like this would usually get a six out of me, but seeing that it's not bad nor great at the same time; I'm giving you a seven. As I said before, I don't mind these kinds of derived projects, but they can't be the only kind of flash productions if you want to be respected.

Hnilmik responds:

I appreciate the effort you're willing to spend when it comes to giving a review! And even more that you're willing to step a bit beyond what you'd usually score!

The reason why I didn't voice for Samantha and cast Sapphire for the role is because Samantha is BLACK and I can't sound like a convincing African American no matter how hard I try. I'm too Asian to get the right vocal resonance down. Also, ironically, Samantha is supposed to be annoying to some extent, but that'll be touched upon in later installments.

I agree that the filesize was like whoa (not huge, but dang--those vectors), because, as you're aware, I'm new at this. However, it would've helped more if you knew how to animate yourself to give me some tips on fixing it. Just look at that additional help section; I readily accept help when something can be improved on, yo.

Make a flash, dude! I see claims that you know a lot about them, but it'd be much more awesome, not to mention more helpful, if you could put your thoughts to good use beyond namedroppy reviews~ Don't let strict preferences get in the way of possibly enjoying things you wouldn't think you would, eh? Peace~

[Saigo No Shigoto]

Pretty fuckin' Badass!

Radcliffe, it's safe to say that you did that Newgrounds classic justice, unlike most fan flash which usually turn out to suck dick. I remember seeing the original several times through the years, and unlike some older flash (I'm looking at you Arrogancy); it managed to still remain good throughout the years. With that out of the way, on with the review...

In terms of graphics, the characters are beautifully drawn and were animated with skills that few on here have; and I heard that you drawn this with a mouse, which makes this even more of an achievement for you. Not to mention that you put gradients to good use along with regular shading. Plus, I like how you used both Flash MX and Flash 8 for this; I think that many people on here should consider using older versions of Flash while using the newer versions for special effects. Mainly because using older versions makes people less likely to splurge on the Flash 8+ filters. Other than that, I liked what you had in that department. The sound was pretty much well-done, with fitting music and sound effects, which can make or break a flash. Then there's the content, the fighting and the mood were excellent and put many story-driven flash series to shame.

What I do like:
-Excellent art and animation
-Good usage of gradients and the Flash 8 filters were used with discretion. (I think Jazza and Alvin Earthworm could learn something from you.)
-Excellent fighting and mood
-Great music selection
-Does the original justice

What I don't like:
-The fact that snobbish pricks will trash this for being a tribute.

Overall: How would you like a ten for this?

XtremelyVenomous responds:

Venom:- "how would i like a 10 for this? .... HOW WOULD I LIKE A TEN FOR THIS? ..... a ten is always acceptable. but a 10 + these words from you, buddy. makes me wanna hand my symbiote to you......................... temporarily ofcourse."

[Two Nerds and a Robot]

Funny, but it could have been funnier.

Sure, it may be a school project, but the results of these school project flashes usually turn out to be good. In terms of art and animation, it may not be the best frame-by-frame animation (especially when compared to Adam Phillips or Noiserover), but for what you had, it's better than some of the test animations that I have done. Then there's the sound, the Audio Portal may suffer from so much competition, so little innovation, but the song you chose fit the nerd theme of your cartoon. Then there's the content, it may be original and I did chuckle, but considering stuff like Birthday Surprise, Rats on Cocaine, Mega Man and Pompous Robots, and a few other cartoons I can't think of at the moment; you may want to work on your comedic timing and delivery (though I do like many of your earlier cartoons). On the other hand, at least you didn't use 4Chan/Y.T.M.N.D./Youtube memes in this, which is a good thing since I hate that kind of humor. (Even though I'm usually open to any form of comedy.)

What I do like:
-Original, which takes a backseat to the execution.
-Good animation
-Chuckleworthy
-Nice use of an Audio Portal song

What I don't like:
-Could have been funnier.

Overall: Here's an eight out of ten for you.

Battosai810 responds:

Great review!

Happy to hear you enjoyed the cartoon. I completely agree it could have been funnier, but I wasn't focusing on the writing or comedy for this one; it was an animation exercise as you noted. I make a point to avoid Internet memes, as I find them pretty irritating. Many of them are funny once or twice, but enough is enough! See the horror that is Brawl Taunts, Street Fighter Club, and well, anything Rina-Chan has ever "written".

As for music, I was looking for 80's nerd music, and it happened to be the first result under "80s" in the Audio Portal! I got lucky there. Thanks again for your big ol' review - I definitely prefer it over the usual one sentence reviews - positive or negative - that I often get.

[Visitor from Proxima]

I sense that this could be a great series.

Although the artwork in certain places looks like it was drawn with a mouse, you have done a great job drawing and animating this. However, the flashbacks where the girl was turning her head could have used more in-between frames to smoothen it out a bit. Plus, I really dig the art style used in this flash cartoon. Then there's the music, which fit this flawlessly even though I'm not familiar with Ilan Eshkeri's music. However, I know good orchestra music when I hear it. Then there's the story, which what prevents this from getting a perfect score from me. We don't know that the main character's relation with that girl, where the space traveler came from, or what are his objectives. On the other hand, the direction is excellent, especially considering that there are a lot of high-rated cartoons that suffer from bad direction. Then there's the fact that you managed to optimize this to a reasonable 1.3 Megabyte files, along with you making this within six days.

What I do like:
-Original, but that takes a backseat to the execution
-Fitting music
-Great art and animation
-Reasonable filesize and system requirements
-Great direction
-Passable introduction

What I don't like:
-The story so far is a bit undeveloped, but hopefully future episodes will develop the characters more.

Overall: How would you like a nine out of ten, Cosmic Ghost?

CosmicGhost responds:

Thanks for the review, also, thanks everybody, for your opinions!

This was meant to be an introduction, I'm planning to make more episodes, to tell more of the story(which is-you're right- a little undeveloped, but I'll work on that)

CG

[Vince The Voodoo doll]

Reminds me of Doug TenNapel.

In case you're not familiar with him, he created Earthworm Jim, The Neverhood, Project Geeker, and Sockbaby. Aside from that, you just proven that you can do something that isn't a hateful insult. With that out of the way...

In terms of art and animation, I really like when people mix frame-by-frame and tweening together. Plus, I liked how you timed that skyscraper segment in the beginning. Then there's the use of the game's soundtrack, which I would consider highly respectable. As for the content, I never played Voodoo Vince myself, but for a tribute flash, it's well done and that's what counts in my book. The directing, timing, and use of texture are excellent for something that's three megabytes. However, considering that Noiserover had excellent animation and sound quality for extremely small exported files; that is why you're getting the score I'm giving you.

What I do like:
-Underused subject
-Great animation
-Nice music choice
-Great direction

What I don't like:
-The Fact that this is another videogame flash. Note: I don't have a beef with video game flash as long as the end result is good.
-Could have been better optimized considering the length.

Overall: 9/10

Emanhattan responds:

I know this sounds idiotic n by behalf but I really dont see this as a videogame flash.

To me this is more of a music video to a song I like and a tribute to 2 of my favourite creative minds,than a tribute to the game itself.

still I appreciate the input and thanks for the review!