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Hi everybody,

Well I was lucky enough to be invited to the UK premier of the new Ultramarines Movie and wanted to let everybody know what I thought of it.

I have to say I had a great day, and full credit to Codex pictures for organising it as I hope that the feedback from all of us there will put a few people's minds at rest regarding the movie.

We were all asked to come to a "secret" location in London's Soho to see the movie and chat to some of the producers.

I have to admit that there was a lot of free beer at the event which is why I didn't get around to posting my review last night, and if you check out the Beasts of War video coverage you might see me giving a pretty bleary eyed interview!

Anyway I digress.

Before we got to see the movie one of the producers of Codex pictures gave a short introduction which was very informative.

To set matters straight with a lot of people this is NOT a Games Workshop product. GW are approached on a daily basis with offers to make a 40k movie, including offers from Hollywood, and they up until now have always turned them down.

This is mainly because GW aren't really a company that is interested in entering the film business, and more importantly want to protect their intellectual property fiercely which is often an issue when converting it to film.

The Hollywood producers always ask how they can get a love interest in there and of course that isn't something we necessarily want to see (well not most if us anyway!).

However Codex pictures approached them and they were the first film company who appeared to want to stay true to the look and feel of the Universe, but more importantly wanted to make a film for the 40K core fanbase. They weren't interested in watering down the content to make the film accessible to a wider audience and this was one of the deciding factors that led to the film being approved.

GW approved the film, but that is pretty much where their involvement ends. Codex pictures are a small independent UK film company. They had to raise all of the funds for this movie themselves. GW have not given them a penny and I think this needs to be cleared up as a lot of people are expecting a Hollywood style blockbuster which just wasn't ever going to happpen.

Animation is very expensive to produce. The cut scenes in Dawn of War for example cost around £3 million but only have a running time of a few minutes. This is a 75 minute movie which is self funded and so was never going to be of that quality.

However Codex Pictures also said that they wanted to go in a different direction to the Dawn of War animations, and make something stylistically different which captured the atmosphere of the 40K Universe, and I definitely think they have achieved this.

The movie is being released as a limited edition DVD on 29th November and this includes a graphic novel and a second disk of extras which apparently have lots of cool material on, like a history of the Space marines, interviews with the cast, cut scenes etc.

A lot of people have said the DVD is expensive, but this again is because Codex pictures have had to fund the release for this themselves as well, and wanted to produce a proper 40K style product. There will be a Worldwide DVD release which will be cheaper, but won't have all the extras. This is expected at around March next year.

There are also plans to produce other merchandise, like a making of book, soundtrack (which is cool) and art prints etc from the movie.

Ok so enough of my babbling here's what I thought of the movie.

I have been asked to not give away too much of the plot, so please don't ask me how it ends or who the baddies are etc. You'll have to wait for the movie.

The movie itself centers around Ultima Squad - 5th Tactical Squad Second Company Ultramarines.

The squad is made up of new initiates, Space marines who have made it through Scout training and are now fully fledged Marines. The squad has yet to taste full combat. There is a mention of a mission they are returning from, but little information is given about this, however the graphic novel in the limited edition release explains this. They however don't feel it was a real mission and are hungering for some proper action.

They are being led by Captain Severus and an Apothocary named Python and are on their way back to Macragge when they receive a distress call from a nearby system.

They decide to investigate as the distress call comes from an Imperial Fists Shrine World, and although they are only one squad they need to see if there are any survivors and report back to Macragge.

The Shrine World was defended by a full company of Imperial Fists. The fifth Company. But there has been no response from them, and Captain Severus needs to find out if the distress beacon is on auto cycle or if there are survivors.

I won't give any more than that away, anyone who has watched the trailer will know who the enemy are, but I don't want to give away any more details in case I spoil it for anybody.

I just want to say that the trailer does not do this film any justice.

I think whenever you see a few seconds of CGI on a small computer monitor it is never going to be that great.

However the film is paced beautifully and the script is very good. Okay there are some cheesey one liners and the story is classic 40K which can sometimes be predictable but that didn't bother me.

What I liked about the movie was the tension. Ultima Sqaud are constantly being watched, and only Brother Proteus seems aware of this, and you really get the sense of tension that he is feeling.

The movie also builds up to the action. I was worried that at only 75 minutes the build up would be slow and we wouldn't see any action until the last few minutes, but that wasn't the case, there is a lot of action, or as my mate said "Space Marines blowing amphetamine parrot up!".

The animation is by no means perfect. The walk cycles are a little off and I wasn't keen on some of the facial animation, but it really doesn't matter because when you combine the script, the fantastic voice acting and the graet sound effects you won't really notice.

What I liked were the little nods to the table top game. The Imperial Fists Bastion looks like it is made up Shrine of the Aquilla and bastion / Aegis Defence Line kits in places. And there is even a Giant Space Marine statue that the marines have to use as a makeshift bridge! And the Stained Glass window in the Strike Cruiser's chapel is the art from the boxed game.

The Land Speeder also looks really cool, exactly how I imagined it to look. I just wish we got to see it fire it's Multi Melta!

Anyway, I came out with a big grin on my face and talked about the movie for hours after so I think that's a good sign. I really enjoyed it and would encourage anybody who hasn't done so yet to order their copy, as they won't be disappointed.

It isn't perfect, but I honestly think it is close as we will ever get to a 40K movie that adheres to the look, feel and history of the hobby. If there had been more money then yes the animation may heve been better, but they couldn't have improved the voice acting, direction and style of the movie.

Codex pictures are looking at doing a limited Cinema release of the movie next year, and the standard DVD and Blu Ray editions will be out next spring.

I would also ask people to get behind this movie, as they really want to make more but won't be able to if this one is not a commercial success.

I applaud Codex Pictures for doing this, they really have done it all on their own and I would love them to be successful. Not just because I want to see more, but because I really appreciate what they have done for 40K fans.

Thnx for the review!

Cilithan

Thanks for the review, I am looking forward to it now more than ever before.

Yup, that still sounds very cool to me. Anything with the Ultrasmurfs in it is a win from my point of view...But then, I'd buy an Ultramarine Lunchbox if they made them...and if I still went to school where I could show off such a classy product!

Thanks! Sounds like it will be worth a buy.

While I still wont buy it, I am looking forward to renting it out and watching it, especially if it is as good as you say it is.

Lets all just hope that StraightSilver isn't secretly working for Codex and advertising. That would peeve me off.

Really now..

I am just glad it does not suck, which is what is the general trend for this sort of film. Can't wait to see it.

Thanks for the detailed review, I found it -far- more informative than the BOLS review. Kudos!

Latro_ over at Warseer (http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5117307#post5117307) with a similar review.

Thank you for your review

Nice review. Glad to see someone who can understand some of the shortcomings and not just whine "ZOMG its not Avatar quality, WTF?". From some of the threads Ive read it seems many are simply expecting far too much from this.

A note for those who complain about the DVD cost...sure its pricey, but think of it this way...by purchasing a copy and showing support for the studio, concept, etc it may help secure not only a sequel/second movie but perhaps help the studio obtain loans or other sources of funding making subsequent movies that much better.

I can't wait to get my copy now, thanks for the review!

Ooo, you´we convinced me, I´m so buying the special release edition now!

Great Review

Still have reservations about it, but I'm a lot more hopeful about it! Thanks for the review!

Thanks for the review! It confirms both my hopes and concerns! Will make it a point to see the movie.

A movie should not need beer goggles so the copious free booze at the premier has me concerned. Might have to replicate that with vodka since I'm picky about animation.

The cut scenes in Dawn of War for example cost around £3 million but only have a running time of a few minutes.

A dollar amount given by a studio can never be trusted since Hollywood accounting runs strong in all entertainment media to inflate claimed costs.

Sounds good, and I didnt even know it was being released so soon.

I stopped reading as soon as you got apologetic about Codex Picture's financial situation.

You shouldn't have to make excuses for a movie when you're reviewing it. You should be reviewing it at face value.

StraightSilver wrote:A lot of people have said the DVD is expensive, but this again is because Codex pictures have had to fund the release for this themselves as well, and wanted to produce a proper 40K style product. There will be a Worldwide DVD release which will be cheaper, but won't have all the extras. This is expected at around March next year.

I really liked your review, this simply stood out and is not aimed at you but rather any bussiness involving GW products.

In the age of the internet and its zero cost well pirating, does it seem like a good idea to make something more expensive to make money? If we were talking real minis from GW sure hard to get em elsewhere, but not when digital media are involed. Or print media just the same.
Either English bussinessmen dont understand pirating or theres some GW-related virus that makes you think that more money per product also means more money overall.....

This is NOT an advertisement to do something illegal.

But Russians trying to grab and crack anything for e-cred the day its released should have been a sure sign.

Mad4Minis wrote:Nice review. Glad to see someone who can understand some of the shortcomings and not just whine "ZOMG its not Avatar quality, WTF?". From some of the threads Ive read it seems many are simply expecting far too much from this.

That is a tad unfair
From what was said previously I was expecting a general release movie, Hollywood style, and was therefore disappointed with the quality based on that assumption.
No one said that it was to be a straight to DVD production by a small company when the trailer came out afaik.

If some one had given the appraisal as per the OP at the time, a lot of people wouldn't have said ZOMG etc
as it happens I NEVER say ZOMG!, but I did say the trailer was poop.

Well done OP neat summary of events and glad you had a good day.

re: pricing of the DVD
That will also be in part due to the limited edition. Will there be a general release at a later date?
sorry if that was already posted. poor memory

Is CGI cheaper than traditional animation? I assume so, but a 40K movie done in the style of the Red Hood animated movie would be awesome. CGI is only good if done well.

How much will the non-special edition cost in the spring?

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:No one said that it was to be a straight to DVD production by a small company when the trailer came out afaik.

That was information given before any video footage was released.

I don't want to come across as some GW fanboy who will defend this movie for any shortcoming (which is no doubt what I will be accused of) but some people have gotten stupidly overcritical of the trailer to this film. Fair enough those who made a passing comment that the cgi looks poor quality but some made it there personal campaign to tell everyone else how rubbish they thought the trailer looked and how likely they think the film is going to suck. Most of these people have put their cases across as if they somehow deserved better, I do remember hearing the comment "If you got served bad food would you not complain?" as a metaphor to support someone's own criticism for the trailer. It's no fair comparison, you never ordered this. This is a film made by a small company who have put their case to GW to make it, had a go then got a load of gak along the lines of wah wah wah not good enough. If you don't like it on the basis of the trailer don't buy it, quite simple. Don't whinge as if GW just shagged your mother.

Has anyone watched the reviews of the movie on the movie homepage by some of the GW staff? Confirms my opinion of John Blanche as... a bit odd. To say the least.

I'm a bit put off by the fact that you spent the first half of the post defending Codex pictures before even reviewing the movie.

It was well written, but it's pretty clear you lack an objective viewpoint.

Come on guys. We all know the visuals are sub-par, he just re-iterated it. In fact, I would be the first to poop on the look of it. Explaining why it is what it is isn't going to change it.

The core of the point is that there are 2 positive reviews on it from fans (and anyone who gets it will be a fan), saying the story and acting were good. That is the best situation we can hope for at this point, and it should at least be good news that there is a flicker of hope for those that pre-payed for it.

I still reserve judgement, I think for me, with that visual quality, no matter what it will be a tough sell to enjoy it. But that's me. I'm a bit more inclined to give it a shot now though, and at least that's something.

Again, debating this until we have all seen it is somewhat pointless, and picking apart the OP's review even more so. It sounds like it was written by a sympathetic fan? Of course it does lol, that's exactly what he is! Full of booze by all accounts no less lol! I still think it was good of him to write such a lengthy review skipping spoilers for us, professional or not.

Whatwhat, at the time the circumstances of production may have been announced, but I was not aware of that.

TBH I didn't see all of the very long running trailer thread, but when I questioned the quality, no one made the point about production and release which we now are referring to.
I had no idea until asking on the thread about the DVD when it subsequently became apparent.

Apologies for missing the original statement way back when

Do I have to be drunk to enjoy this movie?

I reserve judgement, but still, the initial review said he had plenty of beer before watching

Well, I'm not sure about drunk, but marijuana helps make The Room an AMAZING movie.

I'm sure the effect is quite similar.

So let me get this straight the movie didn't suck?
Halleuigh Praise the Lord on high. *commissary cocks bolt pistol*
I mean
Praise the Emperor on HIGH!