FightingSeraph's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[ESCAPE]

Amazing as always!

I have to admit that it took a lot of balls to submit something with a low resolution seeing that this site has an intoxicating obsession with HD. (Not everything needs to have a minimum screen resolution of 1280*720 with post processing.) Now, on with the review.

Animation: Goddamn, this beats a lot of the inane tripe that passes for frontpage material for miles. Your poses, timing, expressions, and use of lip-sync are magnificent. Plus, I loved how you did your pans/rotations the hand drawn way. This is the kind of stuff that's legit and excellent at the same time.
Sound: I liked the sparse use of voices and the music selection. It's not easy finding the right music, and even harder to find that right moment.
Content: It may be a one-vs-many cartoon, but the setting and direction make up for it. Many animation veterans are tired of the super fast choreography, yet you used it to your advantage unlike so many others on here. I think more Stickpage/Dojo members should do cartoons with fully-drawn characters because you can only do so much with sticks.

The Good:
-The setting
-Great direction
-Fitting music
-Adept animation
-Decent diologue

The Not so good:
-Not that original, but the execution is what counts.

Overall: Here's a ten from me. (5/5)

SunnyGOES responds:

Thanks, I'll make point of those notes :) Next time I'll try to be more original

[Mega Man - Origin of X P2]

This reminds me of what Flamezero did years ago.

It's been a while since I saw a serious sprite movie that was actually interesting and didn't rely on clichés (examples: Voice actors who were good once but have gotten stale due to overuse; increasingly stale super-fast choreography; and poor joke material, but that last one has been a problem since NG's early years.)

Graphics: While some of the backgrounds may be sloppy when compared with the likes of Alvin Earthworm; the spritework in this was well-done albeit garden variety. However, I did like how you did some customization on Mega Man's behalf. It may not be as meticulous as Super Duck Hunt, or as limit-breaking as Proxicide; but you did a good job none-the-less. Also worth mentioning is your fight choreography. It may not be fast, but at least it was interesting. One gripe: I think that your camera movements could use some easing.
Audio: Unlike the staff, I have no problem with commercial audio as long as it fits the movie and isn't the only music you're using. The songs you chose fit the situations quite well, but I think you ought to check out the songs that Bosa and xenith800 have submitted here when possible. As for your sound effects, I will suggest that you check out Rayforce, Raystorm, Transformers, and Kirby Super Star for those since the ones used seemed tepid.
Finally, the content: I have to admit that I enjoyed your Flash "The Samurai" episode IV, and this is a bit of an improvement. In addition to your choreography, you sure put quite a bit of thought into narrative cohesion. It isn't easy to make a story easy to follow, especially when people put more thought into tricky angles without any thought into how it's going to work. However, this could be less generic considering how overused the subject.

The Good:
-Decent direction
-Great music selection
-Good direction and pace
-Decent writing

The Bad:
-Overused subject
-Needs better sound effects
-Could have used more sprite customization

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

BallinSNN122 responds:

Thanks for the detailed review! I'll take a look at all the things you suggested, especially regarding the sound effects.

Glad you liked TS4, I used the creation process to shake some rust off, but I feel I can take that and make something I'm truly proud of.

The feedback is much appreciated,

2B

[If you have an iPhone]

That was pretty funny for a video submission. (Though I'm not impressed with the HD video craze.)

As someone who has a very negative view towards the "smart" phone/mobile Wacom Cintiq ripoff crap, I have to say that this was pretty funny. As far as I'm concerned, we ought to do to them what the punk and metal scenes did to disco back in the summer of '79. Besides, the Blackberry and the Nokia E70 have Flash support.

Animation: For a video submission, the animation isn't very impressive when compared with what Adam Phillips, Chakra-x, R Wappin, Alldin Dauti, or Screamer Clawz have done. However, I liked the layouts and the style used in this.
Sound: The voice acting was well done, and the music fit perfectly. So, no complaints from me.
Content: I have to admit, this is one of the better video submissions on here though the mpeg treatment seemed inane. However, I was laughing at how you mocked how smart phones/mobile tablets can be used to invade people's privacy, along with Apple's bad decisions they have made for the past ten or so years. Of course, there's room for a lot more jokes ranging in from the iPhone (and iPad) being unable to do from fundamental tasks (basic HTML, Cut/Copy/Paste, and read every email format in existence) to the dipshits who depend on them for everything. (I've been convinced that the reprehensible things are a retardant instead of an enhancement.)

The Good:
-Funny
-Nice style
-Great voice acting
-Fitting music
-Well-directed

The Bad:
-Not the first smart phone spoof, but more are certainly needed.
-For a video submission, I was expecting something done in ToonBoom, Pencil/paper/ink/cels/paint, 3D CG, or stop-motion/clay.

Overall: ADA Sport, here's a nine from me. (4.5/5)

ADASport responds:

Thanks! If you don't mind us reviewing your review -- it was great.

The Good:

-Detailed
-Well written
-Good usage of paragraphs
-Smart feedback

Overall: We give FightingSeraph at 9.5 out of 10 review.

[Phantoms - by Prozure]

Not bad for a test.

While tests are ill suited for the portal, I have to say that you have some potential.

Graphics: There isn't much animation aside for tweens, you do have some drawing skills. I mean, you have a good grasp on proportions, anatomy, perspective, and composition. However, I suggest that you look up some books on animation such as Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair.
Music: I don't have a problem with commercial songs used in (flash) cartoons, but only if the song fits. Well, it did. However, I suggest that you scour the Audio Portal for music.
Content: It's a test, so I can't really comment on that, but you do have some direction skills.

The Good:
-Original
-Nice drawings
-Fitting music
-Decent direction

The Bad:
-Not much in terms of actual animation
-The fact that it's a test

Overall: Here's a seven, and for test animations, consider using your file dump.

prozure responds:

Thanks, for such an nice respond. It was a try for a musicclip to the music in background (Drawings are pretty much my inpressions.) phantoms instead :).

[Tomb Raider Parody]

You've improved nicely.

I have to admit, that was pretty funny. To be honest, I'll take a cartoon presented in standard definition that's funny over something presented in Hi-Definition Mpeg-4 but sucks hard cock. Even though I don't care for Tomb Raider and don't have an X-Box 360 or PS3; this was enjoyable for what it was.

Visually, this is much better animated than your fantasy series, and I liked the thicker outlines. While I would suggest that you look up "Animation in Twelve Hard Lessons" by Robert Heath, you do have a better grasp on drawing basics than I have. As for the colors, they may be a bit on the muddy side, but they get the point across. Oh, and don't bother with post processing unless you're doing 3D animation or Live-action green screening. Soundwise, the music fit perfectly, but the sped up voices felt like a step down from your previous work. Finally, the aforementioned wouldn't amount to anything if it wasn't for the content. In addition to your decent knowledge regarding writing for character, you also know how to be witty. Bonus points for mocking Downloadable content, I never liked that feature and consider that to be pointless and asinine.

The Good:
-Underused subject
-Funny
-Good animation
-Fitting music

The Bad:
-The voice acting

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

littlegoblet responds:

oh hey there buddy. Once again I really thank you for an in depth and helpful comment. Oh I knew before I even submitted this that the voice would be a let down. I used my own voice this time and since I cringe so much every time I hear it I felt compelled to alter it so it wasn't so noticeable to me. I was almost gonna ask one of my vc friends but decided not to due to how small the project was. but I thank you for your tips and advice. Yeah having to download more content is annoying too especially if it lacks. . . .content lol cheers buddy :D

[Super Duck Hunt]

That was spectacular!

It's been a while since I saw a sprite movie that doesn't recycle the same shit we've seen so many times. How the hell did this slip under the radar is a total mystery to me. Too bad that this doesn't have a higher score.

Graphics: You did an excellent job on ripping, customizing, importing, and animating the sprites. It's even more amazing that you did all of your editing in MS Paint, which gets a very bad rap. All of that effort was painstaking, but it was all worth it in my book. (Especially considering that you had to make it all under system specs.) Kudos for NOT saving your backgrounds as .jpegs, which doesn't blend well with pixel art or vector art.
Music and sound: I will say that you have the ear for music as all of those NES songs fit perfectly. Also worth mentioning is that you managed to use some obscure games for music (FF3, Lagrange Point, Akumajou Densetsu, and the NES Earthbound). As for the sound effects, I like how you took some liberties without going overkill. That's highly commendable.
Content: You sir have the eye of a director; something that only a few on NG truly posess. Every scene was well-staged, cohesive, composed, and the camera movements were also great. In addition, your pacing was perfect considering that this was a war-themed cartoon. Did I mention that I thought that this was funny at parts? However, the only flaw is that there were spelling mistakes.

What I liked about this:
-Underused subject
-Great music selection
-Excellent sprite work
-Top-notch direction
-Funny

What I didn't like:
-Spelling mistakes

Overall: I think a ten would be most appropriate for this. (5/5)

fea-tures responds:

Thank you so much for the Review, I had no idea Tom had finally featured Duck Hunt in the Parody collection.

Fairly chuffed to be getting fond reviews once again, makes it all feel a little more worth while. Particularly surprising to me since this is the old version that featured some major pacing issues.

The Youtube and eventual MP4 Newgrounds (Having client issues with my slow connection) version are far superior to what you've seen but still, thanks alot, made my day. :)

[SNAPSHOT Vol. 2]

This is how a sequel should be done.

Better direction, better animation, better story, I just couldn't help but add this to my favorites. Congratulations on getting first place on the daily feature, and here's to seeing more cartoons from you.

When it comes down to it, the animation has gotten better with great fluidity, construction, composition, linework, and so on. I noticed that you used the brush tool for this one; a contrast with the all line/pencil work in the previous episodes. That and the thicker outlines added a greater sense of hierarchy which enhanced the look. Oh, and I like the use of black and white for the flashback scenes. Audiowise, the music that you used fit perfectly, and the sound effects were pleasant. As for the lack of voice acting, I think the silent/pantomime approach that was used was appropriate. Finally, the content of this piece was nothing short of amazing with one of the best examples animation mixed with cinematography. It takes a lot of precision, skill, and a delicate hand to bring those two together perfectly; those who lack that would've made an awkward, static, poorly paced mess. That and your plot was well elaborated upon with the aforementioned flashback scenes.

What I did like about this:
-Great animation
-Excellent direction and fight choreography
-Great music and sound
-Better story
-Original

What I didn't like:
-Not much really

Overall: Quasimodoxxx, I think a ten will be appropriate for this, and I hope that this inspires others as well. (5/5)

QuasimodoxArt responds:

Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed review. I appreciate it!

It seems some people can't fully understand the story, I think I need work on the story telling more.

[Picksars Brayve]

Pretty funny for something so short!

I could care less about what Disney, Studio Ghibli, and Pixar are making these days with one or two exceptions, but this was pretty funny. Enough said about that...

When it comes down to the animation, it was well done for the most part. However, while I do like John K.'s trademark style; it would be even better if you took the principles behind it and applied them to a style that's actually yours. (You can only go so far on an established style.) As for the sound, it's not easy finding fitting music on the Audio Portal, but the song used fit this perfectly. On the other hand, the voices were poorly recorded and the actual acting felt phoned in. Finally, the content of this piece was pretty funny for a piss take. Your direction and staging were great for something so short and trivial. However, the aforementioned voice issues hampered it.

The Good:
-Funny
-Great animation
-Well directed
-Underused subject

The Bad:
-Voices were badly recorded
-Overused art style

Overall: Here's a nine for something funny. (4.5/5)

ThePrimatePunk responds:

Thanks although I agree about the voice quality, I do think it sounds like we were talking from inside a toilet, it was the setting we had the microphone on.
As for the style, I'm not sure you know how developing a style works. I admit my main inspiration is John K, and my cartoons can look like his, but is also because I happen to be inspired from his inspirations, mainly being looney tunes cartoons, so his style was easy to rub off on me. However, that doesn't mean I can't try and find more influences, creating a style comes from melding what you've learned from other cartoons and life and injecting it into your own work. I actually wasn't too fond of my staging personally because of how poor my backgrounds were, so I feel like we'll have to agree to disagree on half of your review.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write it, I will try to take in what you've said for future cartoons if I can :]

[The Syndicate 1]

Quite entertaining!

I have to say that you have done another great job with this one. While it does have a few trivial issues; every moment was enjoyable.

Graphics: Your spritework is still excellent considering that they were properly resized. Also worth noting is the use of transparency on the effects used. How did you manage to get that done right? On the other hand, the .jpeg backgrounds looked slightly ugly in contrast with the sprites. I think it's time for you to consider getting someone from the Art Portal to make some custom backgrounds.
Audio: The sound effects and music were a perfect fit, but it's about time you made use of the Audio portal for music. (I already suggested to you some musicians on here in my last review.) Oh, and I liked the non-use of voice acting.
Content: Your direction and Adokin's writing were very gripping for a sprite movie. It may not be up to par with Alvin Earthworm or Doug Sauncy (AzureSt0ne), but it was good for what you two had. However, this isn't very original, but the execution made up for it. After all, it's not in the idea, but how it is executed.

What's good:
-Underused subjects
-Great music
-Well-written and directed
-Nice spritework

What's bad:
-Not very original
-Better backgrounds would be nice

Overall: A nine is appropriate for this. (4.5/5)

TechLeSSWaYz responds:

Noted! Thanks alot for the Pro's and cons. that always comes in handy! :]