Out of Sight

Beautiful Taiwanese graduate animation that never fails to raise a smile

Sonic 4: Episode 1

Sonic 4 isn't really much of an update, more like a fan reconstruction of the first 2 (with elements of 3). I don't like the 'new' sonic design very much, and I'm not too keen that 3D models replace classic 2D sprites. How good would this have looked if it was all HD 2D graphics, like the Scott Pilgrim game? Very good actually and I don't want to listen to your protest words.

So you run around 4 very nostalgic zones which are pretty much every stage from the first 2 Sonic Mega Drive games pulped into total familiarity. The similarities make up for everything in the game, which of course include the boss battles that are pretty much copy-pasted from previous titles. Although it gives me a mildly fuzzy memory massage, if I wanted to fight these bosses I'd play the respected games they feature in! And that way I'd get the complete experience of nostalgic energy.

My favourite sonic games were always 2, 3, and Knuckles, and are still among my most cherished gaming memories. It's nice to see them somewhat updated, although with inferior character sprites, music, stage design and content, it feels more like a step back from the main canon series. The foreseeable gradual increase of content across new episodic releases is a great marketing scheme, but not very fair on my wallet. I'll still buy them all.....
videogames...my one weakness...

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

This is a very pretty Wii title that features fast paced 2D brawler + RPG action, ninja style, against a variety of mythical Japanese opponents. While the plot, I'm afraid, remains only mildly interesting as a nice break from the hectic action, the characters are excellent, and are wonderfully rendered in all their 2D glory.
Sound design is perfect, with highly satisfying cut n' slash SFX, and the music excellently sets the right tone for every scene.

Can be pretty difficult, however it is made easier with the mostly optional RPG and sword gathering elements. Each sword has it's own super move, correct utilization of which is integral to success in battle. Opponents range from the classic Ninja to the Mt.Fuji Dragon, Evil Shogun, and even GODS. If you play on one of the two story paths (1 for each character) you will end up meeting Buddha!...haha..




AWESOME.

Toy Story 3

Yeah, I enjoyed this. There's no way it could have the same impact as the first - I was 7 when it first came out, and as soon as we stepped out the cinema after the credits I asked my mum when we could see it again. Turns out we didn't go back, but I did eventually get it on VHS. It's probably one of my most vivid memories of a cinema experience!

Now that I'm older, though, and really into animation, I can fully appreciate Pixar and therefore this movie. I thought it was funny, and satisfying, and Night and Day was also very good. I'd love to see what Pixar could do if they made a film that was rated a 12 or 12a. Just go a bit edgier. The cymbal monkey in the film made a poor little girl cry her eyes out, and I don't blame her! Me and Lynsey both found it reminiscent of Judge Doom from Roger Rabbit, and he was so scary they had to cut out his best scenes for television screenings.

I loved the inclusion of Totoro in this film. No noises, no exaggerated or token acting, just his trademark smile. He looked ridiculously cute in 3D (or CG as it's now called - thank you 3D glasses). I guess that's another point, Lynsey and I decided to see it in 2D. I still feel that 3D is a gimmick, the only form of it I am excited about is the upcoming 3DS. Separate post about that when the time comes.

Back to the point, the film was suitably grand for it's finality, and the death of the series was satisfying and as well written as any Pixar production. I was excited to see the first film, missed the second one in theaters totally (damn teenage years) so it was nice to feel that excitement about the third. I think my favourite part was the very beginning, with all the lines from the first movie. The worst part....probably Lotso, as he was almost exactly the same as Stinky Pete. Still - better than Toy Story 2, in my opinion.