Dead Space: Downfall
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Movie Reviews of Dead Space: Downfall
Movie Review: Reviewed as a stand-alone (for those not familiar/interested in the video game)
Summary: 3 Stars
(This review is mostly for people who are curious about this animated sci-fi horror-survival movie and not familiar or interested in the video games)
After watching Dead Space: Aftermath I was curious enough to go back and watch the first movie in the series, partly because of B5's Bruce Boxleitner voice-acting in it. If you haven't seen either one, start with "Downfall" and then watch "Aftermath", although both can be watched stand alone.
This animated movie is centered around the discovery of an alien artifact on another planet and the spaceship involved in the recovery of this artifact. As the genre suggests, this is a horror/gore/survival type of a movie, but because it is animated, the gore is not as stomach turning as it would have been if it was a live-action movie. It is a relatively interesting and watchable movie, action-packed. Just like Aftermath, they are more along the lines of the Syfy Original Movies than 2001 or Battlestar Galactica.
In terms of production and such, Downfall is not as polished as Aftermath, but then again, Aftermath came out 2+ years later, which in the world of computers/animation is a longer time than in might sound.
Because this is intended as an introduction to the game, it does not need to have the stereotypical plot flow and conclusion, which (intentionally or not) is a plus since I am sure a lot of us are tired of predictable formulaic movie endings.
My opinion if you are not a fan of the game or a Boxleitner die-hard must-have everything fan: watch the movie first (rental, cable, etc) and then decide whether you want to make the DVD/BluRay purchase.
Movie Review: A decent animated prelude to a great video game
Summary: 3 Stars
Dead Space: Downfall serves its purpose as being a decent animated prelude to EA's great space based survival horror video game, delivering the goods in terms of blood and gore. However, there's little else to be found than that here, and that may be absolutely fine with you. The story revolves around the uncovering of an ancient artifact, and the events that transpire afterwards that involve people going insane and murdering one another. Before you know it, there's mutated zombie beasts running amok, and no one is safe. What Dead Space: Downfall does manage to accomplish is explain some plot points from the video game, as well as set-up what to expect if you haven't played it yet. Other than provide ample amounts of bloody, gorey violence, the animation itself is pretty lackluster. Things aren't really helped much thanks to some atrocious dialogue and a cliche script from the comic book writing tandem of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (whose work has ranged from great to awful) that becomes hard to follow in the midst of all the violence. Still, Dead Space: Downfall has a great music score, some genuinely creppy moments, and decent voice talent that includes Bruce Boxleitner and Kelly Hu. All in all, Dead Space: Downfall serves as being a decent animated prelude to EA's great game, and for fans who have played it already or are looking to, this animated dirge is worth a look.Movie Review: Animated movie companion to video game
Summary: 3 Stars
Here's a fairly entertaining but also relatively minor sci-fi & horror direct-to-DVD feature. This film is not computer animation (or CGI) like the game, but rather traditional animation. The film story (like the game) mostly consists of scenes of the uninfected crew members of a spacecraft fighting the zombified former crew, who are infected by some sort of alien life form after they die. There is not much of a plot beyond this mild "Alien" ripoff, and that's one of my main problems with this DVD. There are many story elements that are introduced briefly but never explained, such as the nature of the "Unitology" religion and an associated conspiracy back on Earth, or the fact that the alien artifact is one of three "markers," the other two previously found. More importantly, what is the connection between the humans who go homicidally crazy (caused by the artifact?) and those who change to alien zombies after infection? Ultimately these plot limitations prevent the movie from achieving anything more than game tie-in status. One other note: the parental warnings on this DVD are well earned, with a lot of cussing and some graphic violence (albeit cartoon violence).Movie Review: Only good if you get the game
Summary: 3 Stars
Let's see, the game sounds real good, haven't got it yet, but I'm pretty sure convey's everything the movie could, could've and couldn't.
It's good if you wanna see some shocking animated gorefest in the sci-fi horror vain.
Plot summary sounds better on paper, and the movie ruined it in execution.
You have a ship that brings on an artifact and a creature stows aboard, creature spreads through the morgue infecting/infesting bodies.
The delusional captain (the creatures infect the mind as well) doesn't alert the crew, sending an ill prepared security team (armed only with handguns w/ flashlights) becomes the remaining cast as it whithers away to it's surviving leader from investigation to containment to survival. With the team leader being hellbent on rescuing potential "survivors" (her mind is infected), she stops the ship from a terminal course to burn up on entry, only to send a message that asks for help, which is left off for the game to begin.
Movie Review: Cliche Animated Horror Movie set in Space with Guns Against the Undead
Summary: 3 Stars
This is the animated horror movie prequil to the video game. The movie tells a good story about an artifact being found on an alien planet and a necromorphic virus that mutates the dead. There are memorable moments and characters, (mostly because of hair colors and hairstyles). The downside is the animation, which seemed rushed and cheap (reminded me of Aeon Flux). Its animated horror, but nothing is scary, due to the sleek artwork that is brightly lit even in a near dark room. There is a lot of blood, gore and self mutilation. The animated web comic was actually better, scarier, had better art, better voice acting and told the same story.