FightingSeraph's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[Incident:100A]

Great as always, but I would like to see more non-Madness cartoons from you.

Even though this is one of the most consistently good series on Newgrounds; I would like to see something completely different from you. After a string of mostly disappointing submissions, there's finally something worth my time.

Graphics: It may not have changed in the past few years, but I won't take off points since it's still well made. Plus, I like how you used a gradient skyline. However, I think you should consider giving your characters a line of action just to give them an extra bit of punch.
Sound: Cheshyre's music is as awesome as it was since Depredation, and the sound effects are also swell.
Content: The only problem that I have with this is that it isn't that much different from the others. Thus, is what I had to take a point off. That, and all of the fan cartoons/competitors/imitators. On the other hand, your direction and staging are excellent. I think that more people on here need to learn how to clearly stage their shots. I'm getting tired of people trying to shoehorn as many shots as possible without a thought into how it's going to work.

What I did like:
-Good animation as always
-Excellent direction and staging
-Great audio

What I didn't like:
-The fact that this isn't that much different from the others.

Overall: Here's another nine from me. (4.5/5)

[Not so Happy Ending]

It could have been funny, but wasn't.

I'm not giving you this score because of my disdain towards Jaxxy. Rather, it's because while it had potential to be funny, the execution was lame. With that being said...

Animation: You did a great job on this part, so there's no complaints on that regard.
Sound: While the voice acting was good, there was no backgrounds music which kills the comedy that you were aiming for. Therefore, I suggest that you check out the following Audio Portal songs:
JonH2O-Lookin' Like A Dick
Kurotoko-PoRnO JoE
Porncrank-My Pussy
Mister Scoops-Haunt A Bitch
Waterflame-Whatever!
Content: It's original, which may be nice. However, your jokes seem to have no thought into either the delivery and indication. Plus, it also felt drawn out. Another suggestion is that you study old cartoons ('27-'53), The Three Stooges, and the works of Dean Packis (Rats on Cocaine, Father Tucker, and Premie Petey).

{+}
-Good voice acting
-Good animation
-Original

{-}
-Unfunny, although it had potential.
-No music

Overall: Here's a six for trying. (3/5)

Jae responds:

I don't dislike you because of the low score and poorly written review. I dislike you for your disdain towards Jaxxy. She is a very cool person and one of the few animators willing to be personal with fans.

[Zelda Uncut: Childhood]

Flat, predictable, and predictable.

Laura, I think you need to read this. You don't seem to have any knowledge of comedic timing or context, but have been convinced that you do. In addition, the fact that you have more of these on YouTube isn't a good sign and makes me think that you're nothing more than a modern-day carpetbagger. However, I am going to be fair...

Graphics: This is one of the two merits this has. You have nice backgrounds, and the animation is excellent. However, if there's something I learned: it takes more than great animation to make a great cartoon.
Audio: The music was good, and it fit the situation. However, the voice acting sounded labored and I think that Dexter never saw a cartoon from animation's golden age (1927-1953). Plus, screaming has been done to death. Therefore, I suggest that you watch those golden age cartoons to see how Mel Blanc, Jack Mercer, etc. did it.
Content: I may be a fan of game spoofs, but the ammount of derivative in yours is ridiculous. The aforementioned screaming, the growing up montage, house on fire, it all felt uninspired. This is exacerbated by the fact that they can be seen from a nautical mile. Look, I understand what you're trying to do, but you're not doing a very good job at it. As said before, go watch those aforementioned cartoons because there's a lot more you can learn from them than Legendary Frog, the Zirbes bros., Kirbopher, or Sirkowski. Either that or team up with someone who can do something funny such as Wooden Sneakers, Catoblepas, PeixeAquatico, or Golfinho.

The Good:
-Great animation
-Fitting music

The Bad:
-Uninspired
-Unfunny
-Bad voice acting

Overall: I have no right to give you a zero, but felt that the lack of caustic criticism was sorely needed. Here's a five out of ten and you would be better off if you let the YouTube thing go. (2.5/5)

ArtistGamerGal responds:

I've never been called a carpetbagger before.. haha thanks? Anyway glad you liked some things about it. Although this was actually written by Dexter Manning and not me. But his humor is wildly popular all over the internet, so I'm not sure everyone would agree with you on it being unfunny. But thanks for the feedback :)

[The Moon Guardian]

Not bad, but could have been better.

While this had a lot of effort that was put into it, I wasn't really impressed. However, I am going to be fair with this.

Graphics: I really liked what Matt did with the backgrounds, as well as the style that was used. However, aside from a few scenes, there wasn't much animation although you did a good job on the facial expressions. As for said animation, it was decent.
Sound: Zack Striefel did a good job on the music, but in case you haven't noticed; Natalie (Dragon Knight Tara) also happens to be a composer. Speaking of the voices, they were good although not very distinctive. However, I'll let this slide since this happens to be a standalone short.
Content: This is where it starts to falter a bit. On one hand, your friend did an excellent job on the dialog, as well as your story was original and well-written. On the other, the direction doesn't feel right considering that this was too dependent on dramatic angles/close-ups even though the pacing was good. I found it a bit awkward to follow, and they contributed to the middling animation quality. Tyler, I will recommend that you study old cartoons for a bit such as Fleischer's Popeye and the works of Bob Clampett; there's more to learn from them than whatever Disney & Pixar have been making.

The Good:
-Great backgrounds with a unique style
-Fitting music
-Decent voices
-Original
-Nice tone

The Bad:
-Not much in terms of animation
-Too reliant upon close-ups

Overall: For those involved, I will give you a seven for the effort that went into this. (3.5/5)

Tyler responds:

I don't disagree with anything you said; thanks for the criticism.

I was going for more of a cinematic, less animated approach due to time restraints, though. Not all problems need to be solved with animation.

[Toons These Days: Ep 4]

I thought it was funny, but it could use a few improvements.

As a fan of old cartoons, I can see where that character is coming from. I stopped watching CN years ago, so I have no opinion on that show. Now, on with the review...

In terms of animation, while you have some nice gestures and expressions; there's not much aside from jerky jumping to every pose. Of course, this is fine if you were using it as an actual gag, but in your case a little extra effort wouldn't hurt. On the other hand, good job on the lip sync. Sound is very fitting considering what was done for Doggy's voice, and Kevin's music really helped. However, next time, search for Piano Ragtime on the Audio Portal. Then there's the content, which was good considering what it was. I really like your use of one well-staged scene, and I laughed at the monologue. On the other hand, I suggest that you try drawing your jokes on a storyboard rather than write it out on a script. (They used to do that in old cartoons, and Ren & Stimpy creator John K also does it.)

The Good:
-Original
-Funny
-Good voice acting and music
-Small filesize

The Bad:
-Not much in terms of animation

Overall: How would you guys like a nine from me? (4.5/5)

[JOHNNYUTAH.swf]

Funny, albeit drawn out.

This reminds me of the stuff that was made 10-12 years ago back when NG was about Celebrity killing and having fun. With that being said...

Graphics: It may not be the best animation I have seen, but what you and EJR have done got the point across. However, I suggest that you look up books on basic drawing principles, they'll really help you.
Voices: There's no music, but the voices weren't terrible on the behalf of Ryan and Travis/Liquify.
Content: For something like this, I thought it was pretty funny for something so minimalist. However, this felt rather drawn out and would suggest that you guys study old cartoons for a bit.

The Good:
-Original
-Decent voice acting
-Funny

The Bad:
-Not the best animation, but not the worst.
-Drawn out.

Overall: Here's an eight from a Long-time member. (4/5)

[STARBARIANS - Episode 1]

A big dissapointment.

Harry, Sucho, I'm going to be honest with you and say that this was very disappointing. Look, I have no right to give either one of you a zero, but thought that something needed to be said.

When it comes to the visuals, it's mostly excellent considering that this was done in a style that other cartoonists would consider ill-suited for animation. This is up to par with SunnyGOES, Adam Phillips, Ferguson Winston, and Spike Vallentine when it comes to that department. Plus, Bustilda was drawn great unlike the women that Richie Zirbes draws. (Seriously, he draws the UGLIEST women I have seen, and not the good ugly either.) Sucho did a great job on the backgrounds, although many of the colors you two chose were done in questionable taste. (Example: The reception scene.) In terms of sound, your music and voice acting were excellent, but Bustilda's voice sounded bad, as in bad acting. You probably intended this, but it's not much of an excuse.
Finally, there's the content, which felt uninspired, scripted, and very banal. On one hand, your staging is excellent as well as the pacing. However, well-staged tricky angles and excellent animation don't compensate for how droll this was. I mean, every joke in this was lacking, felt forced, and predictable. I see that you didn't include any real nudity aside from that Ale gag, but if you're going for violence and vulgarity: Go all out! Try watching Rats on Cocaine, or Ralph Bakshi's Heavy Traffic. In addition, rather than write this out on a script, try drawing out on a storyboard first to see if it actually works. Of course, I may be appreciative of you using your own characters, but that won't matter if this ends up being another popular throwaway series. In short, I didn't laugh at all.

The Good:
-Great art and animation
-Mostly great voice acting
-Excellent music
-Original
-Nice staging and pace

The Bad:
-Unfunny, every joke in this was just contrived
-Bustilda's voice sounded deadpan and didn't contribute to anything.

Overall: Harry, I hope you haven't gotten complacent over the years because you're too damned good to be doing mediocre shit. Here's a six for the effort. (3/5)

[Spring]

Not bad at all, but can use some improvements.

For a second submission, this shows that you have a bit of potential. With that being said...

When it comes to the graphics, you did a great job on those paintings. However, there wasn't much animation besides simple tweening. I understand that you had requirements and a deadline, but the clouds could have been better shape tweened. (Study how shape hints work.) The sounds were quite fitting, although you could have credited the music in this. Finally, when it comes to content, it's not bad for a simple loop. However, it's just a loop and it could have used a preloader.

The Good:
-Nice paintings
-Fitting sound
-Original

The Bad:
-No preloader
-Could have been better animated if it weren't for your deadline.
-The fact that it's a loop
-Needs music credit.

Overall: Here's a seven from me, and keep practicing. You'll be a top NGer rather quickly. (3.5/5)

Midgard229 responds:

thanks alot, thats very helpful. Honestly I wish i knew how to make it stop looping and how to make a pre-Loader but he didnt teach us that yet sadly -_-. maybe i will fix this animation by using Youtube or tutorials or something.

about the music your right, I will add it to credits.

and your right on the cloud shape tweening, I will research the Shape hints, because when that stuff happens it upsets me :P, i got it to look ok but not how i wanted.

and totally rright, i wanted to do more animation but the deadline ofcourse, deadline being the day after i finished it and the time constraint i was allowed. Im'a work up for it on the next project!!

[Ajin: The Hole]

It's unexpected yet marvelous to see you submitting here again!

I remember seeing this and many other cartoons on your site and was wondering when you going to release them here. Truth is, your brand of creativity was sorely missed here. Here's my review...

Graphics: I always looked up to your unique style, and most of the graphics were well done although the line work looked rough. The backgrounds could have used some finer lines as a means to make the characters stand out more. Plus, while the animation was good considering that it was probably rotoscoped, Shuurpsuur's arms while he was investigating the portal were too short. Keep that in mind when you do any more of these.
Audio: While there wasn't any music (not that this needed it), the voice acting and sound effects were excellent. Nothing else to comment on here.
Content: I thought that this was pretty funny and well-written. Looks like that you have the ears for dialogue, as well as the eye of a director. It's surprising that not many people on here recognize you, but I bet if you submit the rest of your stuff on here; You'll get the name recognition that you deserve. With that being said, there are two more issues that I would like to discuss. One, while this was funny, it tended to drag at times. Two, the conversation between Shuurpsuur and Agrikaow could have be elaborated on. However, that doesn't warrant a lower score. Plus, I am really appreciative of the small filesize this has. Just how did you manage to keep something like this from going over a megabyte is elusive to many people.

What I do like:
-Original
-Funny
-Well written and directed.
-Good voice acting and sound.

What I don't like:
-Could have used cleaner linework
-The conversation at the beginning could have been elaborated on.
-Not everyone will like the rotoscoped look.
-Shuurpsuur's arms were too short in one scene.

Overall: While this does have it's quirks, that doesn't warrant a lower score. Here's a ten from me. (5/5)

[RHG Demo - Lumen]

That's a good demo.

Even though FluidAnims may be synonymous with stick fights, but what you had shows that you have potential. I bet that you'll just get better over time and not waste it like some people who won't be mentioned.

Graphics: It may be simple stickmen, but you animated those sticks like a pro! In addition, I also like your color selection and use of silhouette. Unfortunately, this isn't going to faze stick haters regardless of the effort that went into this.
Sound: Great job with the sound effects, and I really liked the background music you selected. Usually, these FluidAnims cartoons suffer from questionable music selections made during production. However, I think that you should have credited the song used in this. As for the voices, not bad and kudos for not putting in voice-filler dialogue.
Content: This is the only major problem this has, but I don't mean that in a bad way. On one hand, there have been so many stick fights made throughout the years that it's not even funny. On the other, your choreography and direction are excellent. As said before, I see a lot of potential from you.

[+]
-Great animation and colors
-Excellent choreography and direction
-Fitting music
-Nice voicework

[-]
-Not very original, but still well-done.

Overall: Here's an eight from me and I think you should try learning constructive drawing. (4/5)

EXHellfire responds:

Wow, that's a pretty awesome review, thanks a lot for it, I'll take those words into account for my next one, and try to brainstorm a lil bit for ideas so they stand out more. And well, the song, it's from an old videogame, Prince of Persia Warrior Within, and it's even un named, so I can't possibly credit it :/