FightingSeraph's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[Don't Sleep, Robby!]

Excellence!!

Rob, you have just outdone yourself again with this follow-up to Don't Wake Robby. Plus, this is the first Siblings cartoon that has more than you and your family doing the voices. Now, if only Baron von Brunk finished up his current projects, I would be completely satisfied for 2010's flash comedy quota. Other than that, on with the review...

Art and animationwise, it's still the same as the other five, but I also have noticed the additional locations and that awesome-looking dream sequence you did. This, in other words, shows that you've improved in your directing quite a bit. If you keep working on your directing, you might be up there with Adam Philips (Bitey and Hitchhiker), Doug Sauncy (Keegan's Truck), Sangmin Bang (Gunchest), and Em Kaah (Goldilocks). The sound quality is still another one of your strong points with above-average recording quality and great voice acting. Plus, as I mentioned before, I like how you got more people doing voices in this one, such as Oney for example (even though I ignore Grand Theft Awesome and Left 4 Speed). There's a difference between compressed sound (smaller file size) and crappy recordings (big size, but hard to make out). As for the humor, it's just as funny as the other episodes, and the aforementioned dream sequence was very imaginative. However, my only gripe is the file size (Ten Megabytes is a bit much for those still on narrowband connections).

What I do like:
-Funny
-Above-average art and animation
-Great directing
-Top notch voice acting
-The dream sequence
-Original subject, but that takes a backseat position to the actual product

What I don't like:
-Huge filesize might put off those on dial-up.

Overall: Here's a well-deserved Ten out of ten for you and Oney. Now if only Siblings had it's own collection/series page on here...

Bobert-Rob responds:

Well, the huge filesize was basically a necessity. I mean, it was 10 minutes long. That's 1 MB per minute, I'd say that's pretty good. The audio quality didn't suffer either, and with the song in the dream sequence being the way it was, it would've suffered greatly had I made it any smaller. And I've had plenty of times when I'd have to wait ungodly times on dial up for animations to load... what really blows my mind is some of the animations on here get as big as 30+ MB in size.. I mean, holy shit, that's huge. I suppose it would be a deterrent for some, anyhow.
Thanks for the huge compliments as far as all the other factors are concerned, though! I do hope I can become that good with the directing, I think I've almost got timing down. And while I did do a lot of practice with camera angles with this, I still have a ways to go... still, I'm getting there. Thanks for watching!

[Fist of the Nether Region]

Highly underrated

I'm surprised that Power Ranger YELLOW likes this, and I thought he/she hated parodies. Other than that, I am a big fan of Fist of the North Star and you did an above-average job at spoofing it. However, you need to set your voices to stream, learn to loop your background music, and work on the animation some more if you decide to do more of this.

What I like:
-Finally, a Fist of the North Star parody
-Funny
-Reminiscent of old flash back in 2000-2001.

What I don't like:
-Voices went out of sync.
-Music wasn't looped properly
-Needs more sound effects

Overall: In spite of its flaws, this is getting a nine from this HNK fan.

[Keegan'sTruckChronicles 1]

A near god-like art piece...

...that looks like a pile of shit. Doug Sauncy, you have just proven that greatness doesn't come from the graphics, but the directing and story. Of course, you have made quite a bit of improvements in the drawings and animation, but more on that later. It's amazing that you manage to take something so shallow, simple, and silly into something deep, complex, and badass. (Hard to believe, but it's true) I think a lot of people on here could learn something from you and this exact movie. Plus, I like how you had your friends help with some parts of the production of this, even if they had little to do with the actual product. I also noticed that one Canadian actually liked this. It gives me hope that there are some people over there who are capable of taking a joke. There are so many people on this site today who shared Disney's notion that you have to have the best audio/visial quality or you'll get the shaft (examples: Rtil, Fawx, Zekey Spacey Lizard, Keicho, Arrogancy, Notorious, the list goes on and on). However, you took the Ralph Bakshi approach where you didn't care that the art/animation was good or bad, but wanted to make the story better. With that out of the way, on with the review...

Graphically, it's the same as the rest of the series, but you have improved considerably in this installment with multiple death animaitons, the foreshortening, and Yoshi Moshi Deborough Ho. Speaking of which, you put a lot of effort into that NINJA segment and nice use of 3D objects. By the way, which program did you use for the 3D door and throwing spike? I also noticed that you added mugshot variety to whoever was talking, a nice little detail I might add. This is another instance where someone took what flash was capable of and pushed it to the limit and then some. The music selection is also nice and they perfectly fit the parts that were used. Plus, you had a good sound effect variety going on as well. Then there's your directing skills, which would give even big-name Hollywood studios a run for their money. My favorite part would have to be where the Frenchman shoots the pilot, causes the helecopter to crash, and uses the force from the explosion to launch himself at the wartruck. (I might have to use that in one of my own movies.) Plus, I liked those subtle references that were used in certain parts. One more thing, I definitely approve of how you are filling the gap between 5.2 and 5.3, something only a few series on here bother with. However, my only gripe with this is the lack of a replay/main menu button at the end.

What I like:
-The top-notch directing
-Great music selection
-Improved art and animation
-Nice sound effect variety
-The notes and Theater of Death
-New characters introduced
-The fact that you are filling in the gap between KT 5.2 and 5.3.

What I don't like:
-No replay/main menu button, you need to remedy that when you get the chance.

Overall: Doug, you have just earned a Ten out of ten for something that I have watched several times since the day you uploaded this almost four years ago. You have to finish this series as soon as possible, most of the NG audience demands it. Plus, you should consider teaming up with someone who lacks your directing and storytelling skills, but is better at drawing and animaiton.

[Beer Run!]

From the guy behind Joe Zombie...

...Comes something pretty damn funny! While the art and animation may be simple, they get the point across without missing the mark. Plus, the voice acting is excellent and the sound quality is passible unlike Minushi. Then there is the fact that this was funnier than Waiting for the Bus, which had a nice, dramatic tone with bits of comedy here and there. As I said before, pretty damned funny, and 2.3 Megabytes isn't bad for something like this although it could have been optimised a bit more. If there is one gripe that I have with this cartoon; the credits go by way too fast.

What I do like:
-Great voice acting
-Funny
-Great directing
-Passable file size
-The music selection

What I didn't like:
-The credits went by way too fast.
-Could have been better optimized.

Overall: Here's a Ten out of Ten for something simple, but effective. I think the likes of Chester Kwan and Xennethy could learn a few things from you guys. By the way, when will Joe Zombie 7 come out? (Just curious)

[G.I.N.A]

Almost perfect!

Rick, it's safe to say that you took all the capabilities of Flash and put them to excellent use. I noticed that several reviewers compared this to the Heavy Metal films. *Side Note: I've only seen 2000 and it wasn't as bad as its detractors say it was in spite of the numerous mistakes made in the animation production.* Of course this also reminds me of the following:
-Dirty Pair, a series of novels that was adapted into an anime and a comic by Dark Horse. (You should check that out some time.)
-Burning Angels, a TurboGrafx-16 game that wasn't released stateside judging by the cockpit of her spaceship.
-Don Bluth's Titan A. E.
With that out of the way, on with the actual critique:
Graphically speaking, it may not be up to par with what Spike Valentine or Adam Phillips have done, but you managed to put gradients, shaded colors, Tweens, frame-by-frame, etc. to excellent use. Plus, I like the ammount of detail that you put into this even though it lags on older computers. However, I think this could have used some 3D models for the spacecraft. On the other hand, I don't know how good you are at 3D modeling. Speaking of the spacecraft, on one hand, they have a more utilitarian function to them, at the cost of the aesthetics. Soundwise, the music was suitable for the mood you were aiming for unlike that of Arrogancy and Minushi. Although voices would have been nice, I'd rather take subtitles over the shitty voice acting that those aforementioned Flash series are synonymous with. The sound effects are good, but they could have used a bit more diversity. Then there is the directing, which compensates for whatever flaws that this had. To put it another way, the pacing was perfect for what you were aiming for, and a lot of people on here could learn something from you.

What I liked about this:
-The length and the directing
-The animation, while not the best, gets the point across
-Something fresh
-The Music selection
-The character and creature design. Plus, I liked the blood variation.

What I didn't like:
-The spacecraft, while functional, could have been designed better.
-Swift 3D/Milkshape 3D would have helped. Then again, It might not.
-Could have used some subtitles
-The plot could use some improvements, but that's what interquels are for.
-The sound effects, while passable, could have used some more variety.

Overall: In spite of its flaws, this is going to get a nine out of ten.

RickMarin responds:

Wow , you got me, while I was doing this I had (no Lie) a couple of Dark Horse's Dirty Pair and other anime books on my desk and Titan A.E playing on the screen and also Heavy Metal 2000 . but I am working on the second one and I will use your advise on it . Thanks for the advise.

[Vulvagaiyumi Happy Day]

Funny, but needs improvement in the sound.

This reminds me of The Lloyds, Dean Packis (Rats on Cocaine), Dave Lovelace (Retarded Animal Babies), and Marc M in one succinct, semi-sick, and somewhat hilarious way. At first, I thought that this was made by Kenkoku and Rina-Chan, but when I noticed that it was from you; I just had to watch. The art and animation may not be up to par with Necropolis Xenophobe...oh wait it is up to par. However, the sound needs to be redone for it was topped-out and scratchy. Other than that, I found it to be pretty funny.

What I did like:
-Chuckleworthy
-Sick and Twisted
-High-end art and animation

What I didn't like:
-The sound quality
-Could have been funnier.

Overall: Eight out of ten for doing something different, YungJazz. I think you need to watch more sick-and-twisted cartoons such as what Dean Packis, Marc M, The Lloyds, Retarded Animal Babies, and Math Debate if you do any more like this.

JazLyte responds:

Thanks for the detailed review, and I love the Lloyds by the way. But this was just a quick, stoopid idea I came up with and animated in an hour, there was really no thought. Glad you got a kick out of it though.

[The Adventures of Loto]

It's about time somebody did something...

...related to Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior. Part 5 for the Super NES is a personal favorite, although it could have used better sound effects. With that out of the way, on with the review.

In terms of visuals, I liked how you mixed sprites and hand-drawn animation. Sprite haters may scoff at the use of imported graphics, but they were put to good use. The drawn parts may not be the best, but you had some good frame by frame during that battle with the slime. As for the sound, nice use of the old NES sound, although some might be put off by that. Not to mention, I found this worthy of a chuckle or two; a little throwback to those flash cartoons made back in 2000-2001.

What I liked about this:
-Chuckleworthy
-The fact that you did a game that hasn't been spoofed except for one time by Teflan Dan. I like it when people do games that haven't been done before.
-Nice mix between sprites and hand-drawn animation.
-Nice use of NES sound effects

What I didn't like:
-The fact that this is a game parody, which whiny shitheads like Zekey Spacey Lizard will bash this all to hell. Note: I don't have a beef with Video Game flash as long as they are good.

Overall: Here's an eight out of ten, and I'd like to see what else are you capable of.

scartheatre responds:

Thank you for the very helpful review! I think I would have reviewed it in the same way if I were not the one to have made the subject matter :P

In response to a very crucial part of your review, I'm totally in agreement about what seems to be your opinion on videogame Flashes. They really do seem to be horrendously overdone to the point of where I refuse to watch any animation with a Mario sprite in it, but I'm thankful for the fact that I was able to conceive of something that was original in its balance; a Flash featuring sprites can be okay - it just can't be the ONLY art in a piece if anyone is to respect it, especially with how many videogame Flashes flood the portal currently.

That opinion aside, thank you so much for taking the time to give me a thorough, thoughtful review. I look forward to seeing anything you produce and/or to accepting your criticisms in my future animations!

[YAAFM 9: Michael Moore]

I don't like Bush myself, but...

...Moore isn't any better. What's even worse are those who rated this lower that a seven: All of their rebuttals are inconsistent with the premise of this Flash. Then again, most of those who rated this high also missed the point of this as well. This cartoon does not defend W. in any way, nor does it bash Canada, Europe, Australia, or the rest of the world. If you dipshit reviewers read the note that the Walrus put on his website, you'd understand this better. It's sad that so many people in those aforementioned regions are virtually incapable of taking a joke, let alone an unpleasant fact. Of course, I could bring up how he ignored Clinton's ordeal with Kosovo or the fact that Moore supports the war in Afganistan (Kerry and Obama supported the escalation); however, that would be inappropriate for here. With that out of the way, on with the review...

It looks like that you have improved upon the Art and animation by adding a little foreshortening to the head and different poses. On the other hand, I noticed a little negative space near the neck of Reginold. Plus, I also like how you improved on the monitor he had. Soundwise, the quality of the voices and the acting are pretty good. Not the best, but at the same time, not shitty either. On the other hand, you could have used Flash to compress them as a means of reducing the filesize, but I'm fine with what you made. As for the humor: Pretty funny and I like how you took a logical fallacy (something this cartoon's detractors have plenty of) and put it to your advantage. Truth is, I think the liberal left deserves the kind of bashing that Bush got, and it's obvious from YAAFM 5 that you don't like Bush yourself.

What I liked about this:
-Hilarious
-The fact that you had the balls to do something like this.
-Sufficient art and animation
-Clever use of a logical fallacy (quote mining)

What I don't like:
-The fact that 95 percent of the reviews miss the point of this flash.
-Filesize could have been smaller.

Overall: Here's a nine out of ten for going out on a limb and being politically incorrect. Keep up the celeb-bashing, WalrusZ!

[Legacy of Zelda: DLC [00]]

Not bad, but needs some improvements.

I don't have a beef with video game flash, but this has a bit of potential. First of all, I like that technological direction that you took. However, this is in need of much more in the animation department, especially the lip synchronization. There are plenty of tutorials on this site that can help you in the animation criteria, and it will help make your cartoons better. Then there's the designs that you used. I like what you have right now, but you should try adding shadows and highlights to make them even better. Storywise, as I said before, it has a bit of potential, yet your directing skills are reminiscent of the overrated likes of Arrogancy and Notorious. I recommend that you remedy that as soon as possible. If you don't know what I'm trying to say; check out the Stick Slayer and Keegan's Truck Chronicles Ep. 1 for an example of top-notch directing. Voice wise, not bad by any means, but the characters could have been more believable.

What I liked about this:
-A different take on the LoZ.
-Nice aesthetic
-Decent diologue

What I didn't like about this:
-The voice acting, while not bad, could be better.
-Very little animation
-Too slow
-The fact that it's another Zelda flash. Note: I don't have a beef with video game flash, as long as they are good.
-The artwork could be improved upon.

Overall: Here's a seven out of ten, Chester; and you might want to study anatomy as soon as possible.

omegafinal responds:

Don't worry about it, at least you're honest, which I respect. My direction, at least for dramas, which is how I'm treating this, side more on character interaction rather than battles, which is not to say that there won't be any, just not as much as some would expect from a Zelda fan flash. Scoot's Unknown Origins series is maybe the most perfect if what you are looking for in a dramatic action-packed Zelda fan flash, but the last thing I want to do is just copy him. Since he placed the series on hiatus, last thing I want to is replace him. This is my style, let the characters show and tell the story from their perspective.

The anatomy part I'll work on, to be honest, this flash comic is a rush job. Done in two weeks and my usual DVD-style extras are missing, and I never expected this to earn an award, let alone third place. Not to say I don't want it, but I'll accept it out of humility...if that's possible.

[Press Start: Familiar]

I agree with what ]{ombat/Tabmok99 has said.

Sure, it's more of the same, but I heard on your website that you're doing a new animated series. With that out of the way, on with the critique...

The Art and animation may not be the best, but it gets the point across and that's the way it ought to be on Newgrounds. However, I like how Kevin drew that Gears-of-War-style gun that Johnson had; possibly the best-drawn prop in the entire series. The voice acting is pretty much perfect, so there won't be any complaints from me in that department. As for Egoraptor's detractors: most of them can't draw, direct, voice act, animate, time comedy, etc. as well as he can, so they can go screw. Last, but not least, the humor: still top-notch as it can be and I can expect it to only get better.

What I liked about this:
-Funny as hell
-Excellent voice acting
-Top-notch timing
-The Gears of War gun that Johnson had
-Good story

What I didn't like:
-The fact that it's more of the same, but that isn't bad by any means.

Overall: Ed Glaser, here's another nine out of ten from me.
P.S. Can I do a Press Start fan cartoon sometime?

DarkMazeStudios responds:

Thanks very much! And absolutely, fan stuff is always encouraged. :-D