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I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/11 15:42:16


Post by: Grey Templar


I just watched it for the first tie and i have to say i was impressed.

the Story was engaging and never dragged or semed rushed. It wasn't predictable at all, in fact the story threw a little curve ball towards the end.


the only area that could be improved was the graphics. they weren't the best, but they certaintly weren't the worst and they gave complete justice to the 40k universe.

the outdoor scenes could have been done better, but it is the only area i see a flaw.


the movie is rated R. for those who are a little squemish about that you should know that it, in my own opinion, would have just barely qualified. it was done solely on violence, gore, and disturbing images.

the long time 40k fan won't be shocked at the gore and disturbing images. it's just another day of grimdarkness, but it definitly shouldn't be watched by younger kids.


if you like 40k you should accuire a copy and show GW and Codex pictures that there is a market for 40k movies.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/11 15:51:00


Post by: Kurgash


Here's an idea for the next movie:. The Ork boy who would be Boss.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/11 15:52:22


Post by: Grey Templar


i would like me some Ork action in the next movie.


as far as the Captain Severus is the current captain of the 1st company Severus Agammon

Spoiler:
He isn't the same Captain Severus as he dies in the movie.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/11 16:03:42


Post by: Asgeirr Darkwolf


I'd like to see some of the other legions- namely, SW, Night Lords, Raven Guard, and Salamanders.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/11 16:04:58


Post by: jdjamesdean@mail.com


I'd like to see anything other than blue marines :(


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/11 16:06:05


Post by: Grey Templar


Prehaps a movie about the Assault on Targus VIII.

get some Captain Shrike and Raven Guard vs Orks.



probably won't be the next movie as they have a planned Sequel to this movie on the proverbial table.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 04:39:55


Post by: Citizensmith


I really enjoyed it. Animation looked good on my laptop. I'll see if my opinion changes on a 42" at home. Story was decent, and there were lots of cool bits. Definitely gets my recommendation.

For folks outside 40K? Not sure, it feels open enough but I'll wait and see what my wife thinks at least.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 05:07:47


Post by: Grey Templar


Yeah, it definitly would be confusing for someone unfamiliar with the universe.

definitly made for existing fans.



the funny thing was that the "Making of" extra bit seemed to have a dumbed down explaination of the universe and the Armory section of the Special features had nothing new to explain for a veteran and seemed targeted at a Newbie.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 05:33:39


Post by: Mr Nobody


I want to download it, but no one has pirated yet, so I might have to buy it. I hate being poor.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 07:32:55


Post by: jakebat


Like I sated elsewhere - Kind of have a "Phantom Menace" taste to it. Possibly my expectations were to high?

I had been an epic apologist for the film based on the trailers, sadly, not so much now.

Animation is really no better than the machinima on youtube - sands the static Heaving of characters standing around. No weight to characters, and they all look like octogenarian turtles. Looks like the yet to be released space marine game. Frankly their trailer is just as good as the movie.

The movie bored the living snot out of me. Really, 45 minutes of a 4th edition starter box (10 marines and a speeder) walking around in dust, climbing stairs , getting sniped. 20 minutes of the film could have easily seen the cutting floor.

Yawn!!!!!!!! this movie absolutely could not have missed the grand scope of 40K more.

I love Dan Abnett - truly Love him. I have every book, and nearly all of his comic work. This wasn't a bad story - some big plot holes - but not entirely bad once entirly played out. Just simply NOT ENGAGING.

I was really hoping to show this to some of my sci-fi minded friends who are not familiar with 40K. Not now. Going to give them some Guant's Ghosts books instead.
I purchased the movie hoping to support the idea of 40k movies - now I don't really care about future films.

I am hoping in the morning I will not be so disappointed - and hoping you all will (gently) change my mind.
- Cheers all!

P.S. I hope you all watched the movie before my rant - I would feel like a total @$$ if I influenced you to dislike the movie before seeing it.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 09:24:16


Post by: shrike


Grey Templar wrote:Prehaps a movie about the Assault on Targus VIII.

get some Captain Shrike and Raven Guard vs Orks.



probably won't be the next movie as they have a planned Sequel to this movie on the proverbial table.


raven guard vs orks would be good (and not just because I like RG) or some salamander action.
But if the raven guard are as good as they are in chapter's due...it would just be a blur of black, and a squad of boyz drop dead.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 17:08:59


Post by: Asgeirr Darkwolf


@jakebat- personally, I enjoyed it even after considering what oyu wrote in your post, and hey, everyones entitled to their opinions. So I wouldn't worry. I am looking foward to the SM game, tho.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 19:57:36


Post by: jakebat


Thanks Asgeirr,
I am planning to rewatch it today (rested), and I am betting I will like it more - once my unrealistic expectations are removed (Mr Abnett warned us about this), and try to enjoy it simply for what it is.

I feel I have waited to long for this to simply not like it. I really enjoyed the comic and some of the extras.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 20:47:08


Post by: Asgeirr Darkwolf


I hope that the sequel will be more to your liking. Who knows?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 22:57:09


Post by: candy.man


<posted in wrong thread>


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 22:59:12


Post by: Grey Templar


candy.man wrote:I quite liked it. I was watching it expecting something lame and I was quite impressed. Some of the slapstick jokes, including the recurring Kharn gag was pretty good. Your interpretation of Abaddon is definitely a good character to work with and I recommend you continue to use him in future episodes.

My only criticism was that some of the jokes were pretty hit or miss (such as the plague marine). I suggest spending some more time on the script before reaching the production stage when working on your next piece.



uuuummm, are you in the wrong thread?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/12 23:00:17


Post by: Puscifer


Ok, I work in the film industry. I got to see this to make my own mind up to see if any of these comments are justified.

Downside is I don't want my logical film theory head on when watching it :S


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/20 23:32:54


Post by: Soladrin


Even though I was hoping for something good, It just failed to deliver.

The visuals are one of the main problems, they are worse than most new games.

As for story... what story? It's just something generic with just one twist that may suprise some (it sure as hell didn't suprise me).

I liked it purely because I got to see some 40k action. But honestly the DoW II intro is more entertaining really...

Enemies were boring and completely without depth. Same for main characters.

Also, it's just to damn short to be anything of substance.

As for those saying stuff about gore and it not being for the squeemish... what gore? You see blood, and hints of the damage inflicted, but really, if you look close, even the most grievous wounds you see are just a hole with some red. So yeah.. not much going on beyond some blood.

Pythos was by far the most interesting character.

Also, hated the veteran's looks. Instead of showing battle scars, etc. they just made them look like everyones grandpa.

So in all honesty, sure, make a sequal, but get a different bloody studio to do it, cause this just ain't up to snuff for today's visual expectations. And make it long enough for anything substantial to be put in.

The "danger" the world in question is in (not gonna say which in case of spoiling) never really sinks in because it's all just to rushed to make any impact.

The "final battle" if you could call it that was also just as predictable.

All in all, if I had to give it a number it would be a 4/10.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/20 23:47:55


Post by: ChrisWWII


I enjoyed it...I mean, there was what I felt was a pretty big plothole with the final battle.

Spoiler:
If the daemon will destroy Maccragge if you enter the warp, then why not just tell the captain of the strike cruiser to STOP THE SHIP FROM ENTERING THE BLOODY WARP!?!?


But beyond that, besides the visuals, I enjoyed it. I mean, in some situations I just twinged slightly at the way they were walking, and I would have liked the plot thread to have been more than just a Macguffin, but I did enjoy the movie. Despite it being relatively standard as far as a 40k plot movie goes, I did enjoy it to some extent. To me, there was still a nice twist in the end, and at least a decent amount of character development.

I would also have liked to seen it so that ther protective abilities of power armor were shown...stuff like shells just plain bouncing off their armor, or otherwise them taking hits and then just getting back up and keep fighting.

All in all, I liked the movie. Could it have been better? Hell yes, but not on this budget. To get the scale of epicness that some people WANT from 40k, you'd need hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars in finances. Do you think it's just a coincdence a beautiful (visually) movie like Avatar cost over 230 million bucks? Raise that kind of money from the 40k gaming base, and give it to a film maker and maybe we'll see the kind of epicness we want. If you can't garuntee that kind of money from JUST the fanbase, we'll have to deal with a 40k movie with Biggus Dickus, the clumsy comic relief Space Marine scout, as well as a plot thread about a SoB canoness falling in love witht a Marine and yadda yadda yadda. As has been pointed out, people want to make a 40k movie. But they want to make the universe less grimdark, and make it more paltable for a wider audience.


Edit. For thos who worried about it all just being OMGZ ULTRAMEHREENS ARE THE AWESOME!!!11one!!! it's not. The Ultramarines are the main characters, yes, but they thankfully do not posess a character shield of any admirable quality.

But given the budget in question, I have to admit it was good. WHen I started watching, I expected it to be 100% predictable, and was surprised that it wasn't exactly like I thought it was. Well, it was still reasonably predictable, but predictable in the sense that you have a fair idea what will happen in 5~10 minutes. I wish they had time to put more development in, but with the short time they had, it was still a decent film. I wouldn't praise it as amazing, but I'd still watch it again, and I'd still be entertained by it.




I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 05:06:58


Post by: Mark1130


I loved it.

++potentail spoiler++

I did question the Sgt. getting into the speeder. I felt that was alittle weird.

Other than that, I thought it was spot on. Really liked that Chaplain.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 08:18:38


Post by: nosferatu1001


Jakebat - that was called "building tension" - it worked for us when watching. Plus it sets the tone - they really didnt know what they were going into.

Yes, why they couldnt just tell the ship to stop - maybe only the Captain could have done that?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 08:23:11


Post by: SagesStone


Exactly they were brand new marines. Probably no one would listen to them really.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 08:54:07


Post by: Jaon


Generally cant relate movies to known characters, as it would A) ruin their persona and B) could possibly harm them (physically or fan-basedly)

ALthough, Ultramarines could be an actual continuation of the 40k universe, and captain Agemman could have actually died in the movie, But i have no idea why Agemman would be leading a squad of newbies, you would expect him to be leading the finest of the finest.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 11:08:25


Post by: kingfelix


I was wondering when they would get some Ultramarine movie desktops available.

Finally you can download them here.

http://www.ultramarinesthemovie.com/widget


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 13:22:09


Post by: Nick Ellingworth


Just finished watching it (finally arrived this morning). I really enjoyed it and felt it finished too soon. The plot whilst simple was effective at driving the film along. The tension built up in the early stages of the film was excellent and the action was suitably visceral.

Obviously the quality of the visual could have been better but for the budget I think Codex pictures did a magnificent job, I sincerely hope they make a decent profit from this and can do a second 40k film with a higher CGI budget.

For me the biggest success of the film though is that despite the main characters being Ultramarines I didn't hate them.

I wouldn't recommend the film to someone who's not interested in 40k but for fans of the game/setting it's definitely worth watching.



I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 13:51:19


Post by: Gorechild


Finally saw it last night
I loved it, Sure the CGI wasnt perfect but going by how people were ranting about it I was expecting it to be far worse than it is.

My two complaints were:
You couldn't really see how awesome SM's are (considering they were fighting CSM's and a big daemon), Including some IG would have made them see much more impressive.
The Black Legion were RUBBISH, too many died far too easily.

Other than that (for the production costs) I was really really impressed


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 21:36:59


Post by: mwnciboo


I have just seen the movie and thought i would share my thoughts...

BAD
The older marines look like dessicated old men, this coupled with a slightly misplaced head means their build looks incorrect. The other major part is that much of the dynamism of space marines is lost, they do at times move fluidly like a combat team. At others they look like scared puppies, one sequence where they come under fire and they all stand there looking around for 5 seconds. Real troops react, i would expect SM to be instinctive. I know the plot is driven by them being Noobs, but they have been initiate scouts for bloody years. The walking cycle looks off for some reason it "feels" wrong and i cannot work out why! Too much dissent within the characters, Space Marines would be useless if they bickered as much as this especially a bloody Capt and Apoc.

GOOD

The Marines seem very agile in their armour and that was quite cool, climbing and jumping. Awesome sounds for the Bolters, I was listening on BOSE speakers at loud and it was brilliant. Gore and visceral combat is well represented.

Overrall, I like it the story is full of ridiculous tactical guff, that no one even a space Marine would do, but for the purposes of driving the story forward is necessary although it does break from the Canon. An Apoc is a veteran and would have seniority, rant over.

A solid 7.5 out of 10. A few minor tweaks and it would have been a 9. We expect too much i think, but then we are the hardest audience as we have an image in our minds eye.





I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 22:04:18


Post by: Vaktathi


COPY PASTE REVIEW TIME!

The animation was better than the trailer, but still not what it should have been in 2010, or even 2005. The plot was a little better than I was expecting, but the dialogue was vomitous in many parts (as we have come to expect from more recent SM fluff). That said, what really bothered me was the bolters and the CSM's. The bolters rip through power armor as though it they were guardsmen, just punches straight through. The CSM's are brainless minions attacking in unorganized waves like brainless zerglings, not competent veterans of 10,000 years of unholy war. Lots of ridiculousness on the parts of the SM's that make it hard to take them seriously as a disciplined and experienced military unit, much less amongst the best in the universe.

Overall, a little better than I was expecting from the Trailer, but not by much, definitely not worth spending money on. It feels like an art students Senior project, not a feature film. Too much gak dialogue, terrible misrepresentation of foes, terrible soldiering, and AP2 bolters everywhere.



Next time, give us "All Quiet on the Western Front" in the 40k universe, not mediocre 3D Spehse Mahreenz shoot 'em up Fanfic.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 22:19:20


Post by: Jordan


I really enjoyed it. Keeping in mind that the movie was made by the same folks who did the "Bionicle" movies, I felt it was quite good. Just stylized enough so it didn't seem like a bad CG job.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 22:25:52


Post by: ChrisWWII


Hey, if we're lucky, maybe we'll get a live action Gaunt's Ghosts movie or something in the far future!

Until then....we'll just have to live with 'ok'.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 22:36:56


Post by: shrike


ChrisWWII wrote:Hey, if we're lucky, maybe we'll get a live action Gaunt's Ghosts movie or something in the far future!

*drooling*...
that would be AWESOME!!!
+1

...

MILLION!


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 23:12:18


Post by: mwnciboo


Agreed, Kind of "Platoon" with 'nids as VC... Could work.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 23:29:23


Post by: ChrisWWII


I should start a poll...which Gaunt's Ghost book would make the best movie... is there a way to do that?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/22 23:37:30


Post by: ghosty


Where'd you see it?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 00:06:12


Post by: Th3ee Legged Dog



Well...

Overall I enjoyed the movie and was happy that it was made. I do not regret seeing it in the least.

With that said, yes the CG was sub-par from what you would expect to see as standard these days.

I am still confused about a lot of the fluff violations that existed within the film. Things that where just completely illogical from anyone who has read through what is available to us. I would have hoped that the creatores on every level of creation where involved deep within the cannon, forced to read if you will.

So with that said, an entire company of Imperial Fists where delegated to protect a book in a shrine that can be moved. They do not ever say what the tomb did or why it had to be protected there at that spot. So after they are all obliterated by the Black Legion this tactical squad is able to just walk up to the shrine. Where were the warriors that slew the entire company? Just chelax-ing? As far as the AP2 bolters, it's a movie they have be heroic for it to have any sort of exciting qualities. What would have been nice though is if they had traitorous gaurdsman to mow through and show off what a bolter does climaxing in a hand to hand confrontation with the Black Legion, ping ping of bolter rounds off the power armor of the black legion while shredding traitorous gaurdsman to pieces.

Ok, so why was a notable Captain leading a squad of freshly fleshed out Tactical Marines? Where they really the only ones on the strike cruiser? Where was the support staff, the gaurdsman, etc. We see one servitor as the only interaction that a Space Marine has on the strike cruiser save their other battle brothers. It would have made sense if they had a platoon of gaurdsman with them as well to showcase what exactly a Space Marine is. For instance if I knew nothing at all about 40k than codex pictures and Dan Abnett simply introduced a human with a big gun and cool armor without explaining anything about what a Space Marine is. As it stands now their is no differentiation.

So then they are dropped off with support from a land speeder but have to hoof it for miles to get to the site of the attack. Couldnt even give them a rhino or at least drop them closer? Seemed silly.

I did however enjoy the banter. They are battle brothers, this banter I believe would exist as a way to enstill healthy competition and reduce stress.

Out of the whole movie I think I liked the intro fight scene the most as it is the only part of the movie in my opinion that showcased what a Space Marine is.

Well 40k Radio (shout-out!) interviewed Dan Abnett. From what I took from the interview they will not be doing a sequal but if the movie sells well enough will be expanding to cover other chapters. So the next one might just showcase _insert favorite_ chapter here with a completely different plot. If you guys want to see more of these than we have to buy them.

I do gaurantee they are listening/reading this feedback so type away gentleman.





I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 03:31:17


Post by: Brother SRM


It was watchable. The story was alright, but nothing too special. I didn't care about any of the characters really, and I knew pretty much what was going to happen from the opening scene with them fawning over the warhammer. Environments and technical/mechanical models were beautiful, the characters looked a little goofy. Giving a stronger eye glow to the Marine helmets would have gone a long way. Animation was mediocre. I'd give it a 5/10.

They should have instead gone for something more stylized. The movie was trying to look realistic but just got stuck in the uncanny valley. You need a real budget to get something to look really real, and they didn't have that luxury.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 09:05:14


Post by: mwnciboo


Brother SRM is absolutely right, a stylised version would have probably been more appropriate to their budget and been a more effective vehicle for story development. There are better battle sequences in THQ DoW and DoW2 if i am honest.

EDIT I do not know why they didn't scan in Mk7 power Armour models. The Space Marine Helms looked wrong, i tried to correct it by watching in 16:9, the backpacks were too small and the bolters slightly too large, the opsition of their arms, shoulders and heads were wrong. Jes Goodwyn and that take real care with Wire armatures to get proportions and relative position correct. There seemed to much copy, paste type animation, some proper motion capture with several subjects would have got rid of that horrendous wooden look, The walking down steps looked terrible.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 09:34:39


Post by: evilsponge


Grey Templar wrote:
the only area that could be improved was the graphics. they weren't the best, but they certaintly weren't the worst and they gave complete justice to the 40k universe.

the outdoor scenes could have been done better, but it is the only area i see a flaw.


if you like 40k you should accuire a copy and show GW and Codex pictures that there is a market for 40k movies.




I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 09:41:12


Post by: shrike


evilsponge wrote:
Grey Templar wrote:
the only area that could be improved was the graphics. they weren't the best, but they certaintly weren't the worst and they gave complete justice to the 40k universe.

the outdoor scenes could have been done better, but it is the only area i see a flaw.


if you like 40k you should accuire a copy and show GW and Codex pictures that there is a market for 40k movies.




that is a fail.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 09:54:12


Post by: evilsponge


Th3ee Legged Dog wrote:
Well 40k Radio (shout-out!) interviewed Dan Abnett. From what I took from the interview they will not be doing a sequal but if the movie sells well enough will be expanding to cover other chapters. So the next one might just showcase _insert favorite_ chapter here with a completely different plot. If you guys want to see more of these than we have to buy them.

I do gaurantee they are listening/reading this feedback so type away gentleman.



I rather see an actual story driven movie set in the 40k univerise instead fan spank flims for people who already know way too much information about their perfered flavor of space marine. Also a better animation company


Automatically Appended Next Post:
wow, you guys really put a word filter in for w a n k?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 12:16:56


Post by: Gorechild


I'd just like to add...I was most upset at the complete lack of acid spitting


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 12:38:55


Post by: ChrisWWII


evilsponge wrote:
I rather see an actual story driven movie set in the 40k univerise instead fan spank flims for people who already know way too much information about their perfered flavor of space marine. Also a better animation company


It's not the company, it's the budget. Give them the budget of Avatar and you'll get your beautiful movie. That, and you really should watch the movie. It's not 'OMGZ SMURFS ARE THE AWESOME!!!one!!1!' it's much more. 'Smurfs are the focus of this story'. There is exactly one line in the whole movie which could even qualify as Smurf loving, and that is easily excusable as hyperbole. This film is not more GW the Smurfs can kill anything, it's much more theSmurfs just so happen to be our main character.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 14:36:23


Post by: GamzaTheChaos


Gorechild wrote:I'd just like to add...I was most upset at the complete lack of acid spitting


hahaha yeah! I want to see some king cobra action now!
Also if thats the case why didn't they eat some of the flesh from an Imperial fist to gain some of its memory instead of wondering into the shrine blindly


So I watched the movie and I did enjoy it. I honestly have 1 complaint!!!

CHAOS!!!! why were they so damn weak?! and crappy!? I know chaos is "crazy" but those black legion were behaving like Khorne berzerkers just blindly rushing into close combat all the while they might as well have been naked with that poop armor. I guess Ultramarines gives off an aura reducing power armor to a 6+ armor save lol.

Spoiler:
I liked the first encounter with the Daemon though it was pretty rugged and took a lot of damage all the while smashing some marines up.

BUT the last fight ended terribly why did he just stand there and allow himself to get smacked by a thunder hammer? he put up no fight! just stood there and died.


and that better not have been a Daemonprince far to stupid and weak.



I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 16:51:44


Post by: mwnciboo


Don't worry he died because he knew Tzeentch had a devious plan and that he had to make a sacrifice. You just have to learn how chaos works, its all perpetual carnage no beginning, no end and no real point just keep the blood flowing.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 17:05:30


Post by: Slipstream


Let's be honest here; it was never going to be competing for the Oscars was it? We need to cut the producers some slack and remember that they were working with a limited budget and animation is very costly to produce. This was a first attempt at showing the 40k universe and we should be pleased that such a film now exists. In regard to the storyline, I don't see what else they could have done; They couldn't do a very involved plot nor could they leave a cliffhanger or call it part one. They had to do a stand alone story. I like it. Personally I don't care if the animation is not up to everyone's high standards, this was a first attempt and they will have learned a great deal through production which will benefit any future film.
I think they should do the Deathwing next and if they do so they should go back to the original story that came with the fisrt Hulk game.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 17:12:19


Post by: Eldar Savior


Would you say a twelve year old could watch it?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 17:24:07


Post by: Slipstream


Eldar Savior, to be honest I don't know. If the 12 year plays action video games he's probably seen the same level of violence that this film has.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 18:05:35


Post by: mwnciboo


I think most twelve year old's would dismiss it as S.h.i.t because they are used to production values of Call of Duty or other media. It takes a bit age and experience and a bit of honest reflection to appreciate this.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 18:07:31


Post by: GamzaTheChaos


I was watching Terminator 2 since I was like 9 years old I turned out alright

and yes if you can't make the movie to what WE want then why make it? don't get me wrong I liked the movie but we have every right to rip it down as we do to raise it. after all they made it for money. and we watched it for enjoyment.

if budget is an excuse then you have little business making such a movie =P but they never made that excuse we made it for them.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 18:45:04


Post by: Th3ee Legged Dog


Well GW has always had an aversion to spending money on anything but mini's and let's face it...even in that they gouge the gak out of us.

So...on a first pass. Not so bad.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 18:55:18


Post by: Gunner11011


It was OK to poor. If my buddy down the street made it I would say it was awsome... but he didn't.. I had higher expectations and it did drag and was a bit lame and predictable. I am glad it was made and it didn't embarase itself but it did little to expand the player base.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/23 20:36:32


Post by: Augustus


Soladrin wrote:Even though I was hoping for something good, It just failed to deliver...to short to be anything of substance. ...All in all, if I had to give it a number it would be a 4/10.


Soladrin has it, I agree completely. I think a first time effort for the 40k movie needed to establish the background much more with plot points that are painted with a broader brush, this film focused on the minutiae to much. While there are many things to like, mostly visually, it just failed to explain anything that makes the 40k world so much more rich than what was displayed. I realize this was probably a release for the fan base, but even then, it pushed the limits of cogency, even for the already indoctrinated. The great irony being, the already indoctrinated would want something more exciting than the patrol of 12 men. In a massive universe of perpetual war, aliens, cults, magic and technology, a backwater patrol of 12 men just isn't that dramatic or exciting, it almost feels, pointless actually, with no greater causes being served for the heroes or protagonists.

In a sentence:

Spoiler:
Why did someone a big lonely space castle on a remote planet get built to protect a relic and had a hundred men defend it and die, and then a space church with 10 men in it was sent to find out what happened there and have it turn out to be a blank book?


Uh, what?

I liked the movie and I am glad I have it and enjoyed watching it, but it was a let down.

Why:

No blocking elements of the story make any sense:
Spoiler:
Why are there only 10 men in a city sized space ship?
If you have a space ship why walk to target?
If you have a dropship why walk to the target?
If you have a Landspeeder why walk to the target?
Why is the target in a big castle?
How does a rotten bridge of 4x4 wood support 10 men in power armor?
Why do all the weapons kill marines but fail to hurt the demon?


Few plot line elements are developed or explained at all:
Spoiler:
Why is there a big castle in a space age technology setting?
Why keep a super important relic in a medieval castle bower, instead of say, a flying space ship church filled with warriors (like the other relic)?
What does the codex do, why is it important to the Imperial Fists?
If you have a big hammer that can kill demons, shouldn't the captain take it with him when going to, uh, fight demons? Instead of a chainsword.
Why didn't the Villains take the relic after they killed all the imperial fists?
Why did the Villains stay at the shrine at all?
Why do 12 men think they can walk blindly into an obvious slaughter of 10 times their number, especially once they know who their opponents were.
Why do Ultramarines carry a big flag every where they go? What is it?
Why does the big flag glow when near demons?
Why doesn't it glow when near demons in the closing scenes?
Why don't the marines call for extraction once they have the book and survivors, they wait 2 hours and walk all the way back?
Who are the bad guys, why do they look the same as the good guys?
Why did the marines Abandon their Landspeeder after they killed their opponents in the first skirmish?
Why not use a drop pod to go strait to the objective?
It didn't seem like the chaos forces had any ships, or planetary defenses or anti aircraft capacity, why not fly around and wipe them out with the Thunderhawk instead of getting picked apart one at a time on the ground?
For having fought against chaos for so long the Ultramarines seem to have no idea what a Demon is capable of, at all. Even the older experienced ones.
How did the 2 Imperial Fists survive?
Why didn't the Imperial fists move the book if it was valuable?
Why not destroy the book if it was evil?
Wouldn't Ultramarines have archives about Imperial Strong points like this one and find out what the shrine relic was? Or at least know it was there. Why were they surprised about it?
Why does the flamer brother shoot little bursts off all the time, apparently for light? wouldn't he run out of fuel?
How come among the 12 men on patrol (from a SPACE SHIP) only the medic has a flashlight?


Motivations are very lacking
Spoiler:
Why did the chaos forces defile the shrine in the first place?
Why were imperial guard there, who were they, why are they dead every where and never mentioned?
Why did the chaos forces stay at the shrine?
Why did the Imperial Fists defend a blank book and not speak of it?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/25 00:48:50


Post by: leroy233


Just watched it... overall I glad it was made and I enjoyed it, but it could hve been so much better.

Where were the dreadnoughts, land raiders and drop pods, not enough action in the film. These are the things that will draw people in, not just a squad walking for 20minutes.

I thought the animation wasn't as bad as some have said, in places it is impresive, (the marines do walk wierd).

The story could have been better, they fell into a gap between something for everyone and something for fans, in the end its neither. I would like to see more of a variety of armies used too.

Overall if your a fan of 40k is definetly worth a watch.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/25 11:31:40


Post by: nosferatu1001


For everyone asking why only 10 men - READ THE COMIC BOOK
It was all they could spare from defending a Hive world. No more.

Hence: No more Marines No Guard.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/25 15:25:09


Post by: mwnciboo


Spoiler:
The bloody apothecary could have been a cool character like "Hicks" from Aliens. Instead he looked like a dessicated monkey in power armour who kept being "negative and disloyal to the command". Why would the apothecary as a Command Squad Veteran not have seniority over some nobody Astartes? The Captain was a bit s.h.i.t, walk forward into an ambush with one other marine and leave the rest of the squad kicking their heals. It was clearly an ambush, he should have flanked it and done a recon, before committing Guilliman would have raped him silly for such a stupid tactical blunder. If i saw my CO, drop out of building drop thousands of feet whilst having a CC with a Daemon I would definitely have questions if he turned up out of the blue like he'd just popped out for a quick number 1. Totally sold on the pointless Banner, was the unit a TAC Squad with a cut down Captains Command squad tagged on?

I am unsure if any true fans were used in the production at all especially to QA it, the bolter barrels look paper thin, the shells are too large, we all know the godwyn is 19.9mm it looks more like 60mm on those bolters. Not enough close combat, i thought the Chaplain was going to go Berserker instead he went turbo-spank librarian shouting "heretic" and immolating chaos marines with his Crozius Arcanium Blue flamer combo bollocks. I wanted a screaming banshee turbo berserker rampage shouting "feel the wrath of the emperor traitor", but alas no. The proportions of Armour were wrong, They looked like noob's out for their first battle? WTF is that about, every astartes has been through a hundred battles to earn his black carapace. Bizarre, poor Dan Abnett he has really pissed up wind on this one. I would give it 7.5/10 out of 10 but the lack of attention to detail has dropped it from a possible 9/10 to a 3/4.





I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/25 18:22:35


Post by: nosferatu1001


again: READ THE COMIC.

these are new scouts elevated to replace combat losses. they have NOT gone through devastator or bike stages.

As for who worked on it: WATCH THE EXTRAS. They had studio help.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/25 20:36:39


Post by: mwnciboo


Look bottomline I shouldn't have to do some pre-reading prior to a film, this isn't school and I'm not doing a Degree in Film and Media. I don't mind reading books, but I am not reading comics its bad enough I have to put with the Wargamer Stigma, without adding Comic book guy from the Simpsons to the list of social taboos (I do respect the Artwork in Comics, but the stories are paper-thin forgive the pun). If i have to have pre-read something in order for this film to make sense (e.g. why they have broken away from GW Canon about how a Space Marine is trained), then quite frankly stuff it.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/26 09:17:19


Post by: nosferatu1001


Fair enough. Doesnt alter that your questions are answered.

Also there is no "GW canon" - there is no consistency in the detail of the 40k universe. None. Contradictions and alterations to accepted canon occur all the time.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/26 09:40:47


Post by: filbert


Pre-reading or no pre-reading and limited budget notwithstanding, my main gripe with the film is the god-awful story. I thought it was extremely slow to get started, badly written with numerous gaping plot holes. When it did look like the film was finally getting started, it was over. I think they would have been better served developing a better storyline; which is odd given that Dan Abnett wrote the screenplay. I would have expected better to be perfectly frank.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/27 00:52:05


Post by: leroy233


Agree with filbert, Im not doubting the 10 man squad reasoning, its just not the story I was hoping for. I wanted more action and to see a lot more of the 40k world and its great weapons. There was not enough action.
Like I said I think its trapped between trying not to be indepth in the whole fluff thing but it falls short for those who love everything 40k.

If it wasn't a 40k film how would you feel about it then, because I'd have to say I wouldn't give it second viewing (but then again, I've already watched it twice).


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/27 09:53:12


Post by: nosferatu1001


Except, for a first film, it's exactly what you would expect to see - given your budget, do you do a more restrained story as best you can, or do you attempt to recreate a universe that has had 20 years to grow?

If you're being realistic, you keep to the basics: get boltguns sounding right - which they did. Get some "human" interest going, by making the UM not faceless automatons. Create a simple, but interesting story. Get the voice acting right - which they did. The voice acting was VERY good.

they could easily have overeached, and that would have likely resulted in no film at all - or one that was much less than the current one.

Now they've got the basics sorted, we can get the more exciting bits in the next film.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/27 16:12:13


Post by: leroy233


I agree with what you say nosferatu, what they have done is done well, as I said in my first coments I did enjoy the film.

Im not saying they should have had an all out battle royal with everyone turning up and resulting in carnage, just have a story showing off the some of the marines best weapons and things, after all I thought that they wanted to try and reach out to everyone and get more people involved in GW stuff. In the initial interviews about the film they were reaching out to everyone and it was going for a cinema release, but as some have mentioned I think they must have looked at the budget a little more.

I did like the voices, they were always going to be good once we knew the cast, some great voice actors involved.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/27 16:19:59


Post by: mwnciboo


nosferatu1001 wrote:Except, for a first film, it's exactly what you would expect to see - given your budget, do you do a more restrained story as best you can, or do you attempt to recreate a universe that has had 20 years to grow?

If you're being realistic, you keep to the basics: get boltguns sounding right - which they did. Get some "human" interest going, by making the UM not faceless automatons. Create a simple, but interesting story. Get the voice acting right - which they did. The voice acting was VERY good.

they could easily have overeached, and that would have likely resulted in no film at all - or one that was much less than the current one.

Now they've got the basics sorted, we can get the more exciting bits in the next film.


Actually on consideration i think your completely correct on these points, i am sticking to 7.5/10 which is actually pretty much there. I think maybe i am spoiled by the quality of animation that PIXAR and DREAMWORKS put out on a regular basis, plus anime like Final Fantasy on top of this films like BEOWULF have raised the bar for adult action animated features. If this is the foundation a future Black Library type film series it will no doubt get better and better as budgets increase, circulation increases and a bit of critical acclaim heads their way. I would love to be involved in this kind of stuff even at beta level, QA type level giving honest and balanced opinion on how things could be improved. I would really like the kind of visceral action you see in the opening 20mins of "Saving private Ryan" in the 40K universe with Guard, Marines etc clashing with traitors and Xenos.

It would be nice to see a Sternguard Squad doing a building clearance, or a Hammernators deep striking into a foe, or the Ultimate "The Grey Knights" This would be a good one, as a small elite band of warriors (5 or 6) against some slavering beasts, it could be an extreme horror film (making Event Horizion look like the Teletubbies) casting a wider net plus it would probably become a cult classic.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/27 21:20:54


Post by: nosferatu1001


The problme is that getting it more realistic costs a LOT more money - its not a smooth progression, there is a huge "step" cost in the software and render farms needed. Hopefully the film will generate enough direct funding from sales, and funding from others, in order to let them jump up tot he next level.

From the sounds of it the voice actors could be persuaded to come back,they definitely looked like they were having fun with it

7.5/10 sounds fine.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/27 21:24:21


Post by: Th3ee Legged Dog


mwnciboo wrote:Look bottomline I shouldn't have to do some pre-reading prior to a film, this isn't school and I'm not doing a Degree in Film and Media. I don't mind reading books, but I am not reading comics its bad enough I have to put with the Wargamer Stigma, without adding Comic book guy from the Simpsons to the list of social taboos (I do respect the Artwork in Comics, but the stories are paper-thin forgive the pun). If i have to have pre-read something in order for this film to make sense (e.g. why they have broken away from GW Canon about how a Space Marine is trained), then quite frankly stuff it.


Truth.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
mwnciboo wrote:
nosferatu1001 wrote:Except, for a first film, it's exactly what you would expect to see - given your budget, do you do a more restrained story as best you can, or do you attempt to recreate a universe that has had 20 years to grow?

If you're being realistic, you keep to the basics: get boltguns sounding right - which they did. Get some "human" interest going, by making the UM not faceless automatons. Create a simple, but interesting story. Get the voice acting right - which they did. The voice acting was VERY good.

they could easily have overeached, and that would have likely resulted in no film at all - or one that was much less than the current one.

Now they've got the basics sorted, we can get the more exciting bits in the next film.


Actually on consideration i think your completely correct on these points, i am sticking to 7.5/10 which is actually pretty much there. I think maybe i am spoiled by the quality of animation that PIXAR and DREAMWORKS put out on a regular basis, plus anime like Final Fantasy on top of this films like BEOWULF have raised the bar for adult action animated features. If this is the foundation a future Black Library type film series it will no doubt get better and better as budgets increase, circulation increases and a bit of critical acclaim heads their way. I would love to be involved in this kind of stuff even at beta level, QA type level giving honest and balanced opinion on how things could be improved. I would really like the kind of visceral action you see in the opening 20mins of "Saving private Ryan" in the 40K universe with Guard, Marines etc clashing with traitors and Xenos.

It would be nice to see a Sternguard Squad doing a building clearance, or a Hammernators deep striking into a foe, or the Ultimate "The Grey Knights" This would be a good one, as a small elite band of warriors (5 or 6) against some slavering beasts, it could be an extreme horror film (making Event Horizion look like the Teletubbies) casting a wider net plus it would probably become a cult classic.


Truth, again. Nice shout outs too.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/28 09:20:10


Post by: leroy233


A saving private ryan 40k style would be a winner. As for the quality of image then it is some way off some of the top studios work but to tell the story it doesn't have to be on that level. I would love to see it up there with the pixar's and so on, but I also wouldn't mind it being similar to what it is now with a more action style story. After all the opening credits were 'in the distant future there is only war'.

What they didn't tell you was were going to film them walking for two miles there and back.
There opening for dow had just as much action in two minutes.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/28 12:09:58


Post by: Ed_Bodger


I have posted my opinion on how bad this film was on other threads and how it failed to live up to my expectations. Having just watched the space marine game trailer on youtube again I really don't know why this film had such awful graphics, it truly was embarrassing. Also liver spots on Space Marines and a Crozius that makes a Chaplain into a Librarian please.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/28 18:06:09


Post by: ChrisWWII


I still say we have to look at everything in context before passing judgement. Space Marine is a game with a massive budget whose developers are paying top dollar for a beautiful game.

Ultramarines is a low budget movie whose makers are skirting the bottom line. We really can't expect the same quality.

Was the story or the fluff background the 100% best? No. No it wasn't, but it was decent and not horrible. What we need to do is to support this film, so studios know 40k films have actual money in them (even if they follow GW's strict guidelines) and we'll get movies with bigger budgets that will have the beautiful graphics we want.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/28 18:32:41


Post by: djphranq


Haven't watched it yet... I'm thinking of buying the collector's edition mostly because I'm a fan of the SM.

I'm not too worried about the animation. I've made peace with the idea that it won't be 'Dawn of War intro' standard.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/28 18:38:55


Post by: Asherian Command


Spoiler:
It was a great movie, The only thing that I disliked was the Daemon somehow being able to enter a fully operational strike cruiser and kill every single space marine with no problem.
That and the Imperial fists losing what the hell?
And did that last Imperial fist marine die? From getting thrown against a wall?
Loved the Extras very good, Got the collectors love it.
Where the hell is the security on the ship? Emperor Be praised the Ultramarines have such a sucky defense in their ships if it was that easy to break into an astrates ship, the entire imperium would be dead >.<
One bone Especially was that they had marines look like nasty old people from like 1000 years ago.
I would of really liked to see younger people look better.
good things
Marines were awesome, bolters sounded like bolters,
and Chaplains are awesome,
Thunderhawk was cool
Strike cruiser was awesome.
They did a great job overall except with a few minors.



I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/28 22:57:25


Post by: nosferatu1001


Spoiler:

1) Battle Barge
2) It was possessing a marine. They didnt know it was there, and they dont have a "woah, you're possessed!" detector.
3) The fists lost presumably through overwhelming force, that then moved on elsewhere in order to set the trap
4) The daemon was welcomed on board. As they thought it was their captain...
5) Issue with the graphics package - realistic aging is *hard* and *expensive*


Agreed - it had a few minor issues, apparently ed believes that a low budget film should be on a par with a $5m budget game which is unrealistic to say the least.

The movie was decent, which is more than I expected.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 04:38:16


Post by: Grey Templar


the ship was NOT a battlebarge.

it was clearly a Strike Cruiser, those who can't tell the difference need to look at some BFG models.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 05:49:56


Post by: uscmbuzz


ok now I gotta try and see this sometime.. so you buy this thing.. I havent been to the site, sorry computer is super slow.. Anyway pics look great.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 06:19:40


Post by: Grey Templar


my suggestion is to wait a couple months for them to release a bog standard version.

unless you really want the special tin and comic book.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 08:11:51


Post by: Cryage


nosferatu1001 wrote:For everyone asking why only 10 men - READ THE COMIC BOOK


nosferatu1001 wrote:again: READ THE COMIC.


Movies are there to tell a story, plain and simple. They could have covered a lot of this information with 10 minutes of worthy dialog in the beginning of the movie.

Overall, I'd give the movie a 7/10. The story was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. The voice acting and music were SUPERB.

The thing that bugged me, like everybody else, was the animation. I understand it was practicaly an indie flick and done with a low budget, but it felt like I was watching a polished version of a Reboot or Beast Wars episode. The way everybody reacted to getting shot was almost too twitchy. The movement felt awkward to watch, and the experienced marines/apoc felt like they belonged in a old folks home and not on a battlefield.

A great example of a 40k movie is the dawn of war 2 intro : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0m28yz6kmg

Yes of course that had a higher budget, but the combat was very, very well choreographed and everything felt proportionate. Honestly, even the Dawn of war: Dark Crusade intro has me more engaged than most parts of Ultramarines ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nodA5bxueyo ) and thats just a short 1 minute intro.

Anyway, like i said, 7/10 and I would watch it again (watched it twice today in fact). The character development was quite good.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 08:27:04


Post by: mwnciboo


Re-boot whoa that brings back some memories, how did i forget about that show


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 16:21:10


Post by: DB


ChrisWWII wrote:Hey, if we're lucky, maybe we'll get a live action Gaunt's Ghosts movie or something in the far future!

Until then....we'll just have to live with 'ok'.


we'd have to be very lucky!! space marines outsell every other gw product (including any warhammer etc) at least 10 to 1 - think about it for a second - everyone you know (including you!) has (or has had) a space marine army, plus something else like tau or warhammer... so the money rides on the next one being marines Vs someone else again...

bring on the Blood Angels!!

would be good if they included guard & sisters tho....


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 16:34:33


Post by: shrike


DB wrote:
ChrisWWII wrote:Hey, if we're lucky, maybe we'll get a live action Gaunt's Ghosts movie or something in the far future!

Until then....we'll just have to live with 'ok'.


we'd have to be very lucky!! space marines outsell every other gw product (including any warhammer etc) at least 10 to 1 - think about it for a second - everyone you know (including you!) has (or has had) a space marine army, plus something else like tau or warhammer... so the money rides on the next one being marines Vs someone else again...

bring on the Blood Angels!!

would be good if they included guard & sisters tho....

I WANT gaunt's ghosts, but this won't be happening any time soon- SM are the posterboys, after all.
I REALISTICALLY WANT either salamanders/raven guard and GK fighting daemons/orks/eldar/tau.
having more "friendly" xenos like tau or eldar will show noobs that 40k isn't just SoB+GK+SM+IG=good and everyone else=bad.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2010/12/31 20:09:19


Post by: ChrisWWII


I actually never collected Marines. I started out with Guard, and I'm sticking with Guard!


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/01 02:18:22


Post by: DB


ChrisWWII wrote:I actually never collected Marines. I started out with Guard, and I'm sticking with Guard!


you mean you never bought a core game box set? shock!!!


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/01 03:01:46


Post by: ChrisWWII


Nope. My first kit was a box of Cadian Guardsmen. I still field them as vets.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/01 09:06:22


Post by: Mukkin'About


I just watched the movie. I had myself a little bit of a nerdgasm. perhaps the sparkle in my eyes was a little bright as I tended to dismiss any faults there were.
My favourite bits? pretty much anything to do with the chaplain's armour especially the helmet.
The "Warhammer" hahaha of all the relics it could be.. A warhammer
And at the end of the day, the ultras are extra ultra


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/01 11:11:37


Post by: Terminus


Animation was real gakky, but it was alright overall.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/08 23:38:01


Post by: gloomygrim



Just watched it about an hour ago and tbh my expectations of it were to much. I understand that it was low budget but it still could have been better mainly a bit more reaserch into the fluff wargear, personalities of the SM and the deamon, the animation was good, not the best but enjoyable to watch, the chaplains armour looked cool as bar his crozius any one else think i was a little small and hardly made him look impossing. ratings wise id give it a 6.

On the topic of other films that should be made i agree in full with everything said about a gaunts film, the books are amazing. Sadly i have to agree with what some one said about them doing SM films and the SM being posterboys. still they could do some good films with the SM, nice one would be SM vs Nids, one of the memorable battles in the books or in the 40k history.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/09 03:06:15


Post by: Terminus


I really don't understand why they bothered to make this CGI if all they had was like $50 in budget. They could have easily made a traditional animated fature that would have been less expensive (presumably), while looking a lot nicer. All the marines looked roughly the same, like a collection of dried prunes.

I'm also wondering why GW doesn't want to throw some money behind one of these productions. A higher budget, well-produced feature would draw a lot of attention to the game, and probably open another market for them to exploit. I guess the same backassward thinking that had them betting against computers and video games is still in place, even after changing the leadership of the company 3-4 times.



I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/09 03:11:20


Post by: Grey Templar


it would have been alot better if GW had put some money into it.


hopefully, this one made enough money to convince GW that another won't be a failure and put some money into it. Codex will hopefully make some money on it too so they can put more into the next one.




I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/09 04:01:19


Post by: purplefood


If GW had put money into it it would have been a great advert for 40k.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/09 11:59:28


Post by: ChrisWWII


The only problem with that is that if they had tried to make it a good advert, they may have lost some of the hardcore fans. Why? Because they would have had to had devoted a good deal of time and effort trying to explain the very basic nature of the 40k universe to all the newbs. What Chaos is, what the Warp is, what psykers are, etc. etc.

If they had done that, I'm willing to bet we'd get people complaining they were just trying to sucker new little kids into the hobby, or that they were watering it down too much to make it easy to understand.

Besides, GW itself doesn't have the kind of money needed to do a big budget movie. Their pretax profits were in the region of 7.5 million pounds....while a movie with the kind of CGI and look that people want would be hundreds of millions of dollars....far beyond GWs ability to support.

And to those asking why they didn't do traditional animation? Well, that's expensive too. Making a movie just plain isn't cheap unless you're just filming a few of your friends with a discount camcorder. ANything better than that and you strt needed more and more money.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/10 09:38:58


Post by: Wardragoon


Mr Nobody wrote:I want to download it, but no one has pirated yet, so I might have to buy it. I hate being poor.

Piratebay had a torrent of it


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/10 13:06:57


Post by: ChrisWWII


Please don't pirate this movie....we need to be BUYING it so that the company makes money so that further along the line studios will make better 40k films.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/10 13:26:28


Post by: nosferatu1001


GT - oops, had a brain fart and mentally swapped the BB and SC tags around in my brain.

/self flagellates for that mistake.

Terminus - "traditional" animation a) costs more - as it physically takes longer and b) doesnt really exist. Most "hand drawn" has a few fraes with a computer guessing the intervening frames and filling in. Makes it quicker but can look...awkward.

For what they wanted to do CGI makes the most sense - mainly as they now have a lot of "stock" models that they can reuse and improve on for the next one. Very difficult to do with cell animation.

GW cant really afford a movie. Best they could do was essentially licence it out fora pittance and provide studio help (watch the extras for this ) to Codex to help make sure the fluff was right.

As has been pointed out everything is explainable "in universe" with the exception of the CHaplains power. Maybe the thought of trying to scream Litanies of Hate would be too much for the actors


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/10 16:07:05


Post by: Grey Templar


i came up with an explaination for the Cruxious.


it's an old artifact from shortly after the Heresy and contains not only the power field in all power weapons, but also is able to let loose a powerful burst of radiation. the power burst drains the Cruxious of power for an amount of time before the powercells can regenerate.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/10 16:14:15


Post by: gmaleron


I have to say after watching the movie i was thouroughly satisfied with it. It being the first ever attempt at a Warhammer 40k movie along with a very limited budget it actually turned out better then i thought it would. The script, written by Mr. Dan Abnett was great and he really helped move the story along with the tension buiilding moment that started almost from the immidiate get go and he captured the (in my opinion) religious fanaticism that the Space Marines have in regards to almost everything.

The only things i would change in the movie would have to be more action! Suspense is all well and good but with only one big battle between the Marines and Chaos Marines it left me wishing that there was alot more fighting in the movie itself. Other then that, forget the Marines for the next movie, the need to do the IMPERiAL GUARD! Better weapons such as the lasgun (according to the Commissars anyways ), Tanks and i feel would personality to the characters.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/20 11:03:07


Post by: eZieweZie


In order to better asses the impact the movie had had on the community, an extensive survey has been created. The idea is for as many people as possible who have watched the movie to fill it in and a thorough statistical analysis will then be performed on the collected data. The results should give a pretty solid impression of how people reacted to the movie and why. The information could also prove useful in order to improve any next W40k movies, if there will be any.

More information here:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/340985.page#2348136


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 09:42:50


Post by: Curis






I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 11:37:45


Post by: Mr Hyena


I'm just concerned that they'll only do Space Marine-focused movies. Thats not fun to watch.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 16:02:01


Post by: I-bounty-hunt-the-elderly


Hilarious comic, Curis. I watched the film and thought it was absolute pants! Some concise points, comparing these to actual good action films:

Piss-poor animation all through, but I realise they were on a budget. I will mention it where it affected other things.

Badly paced, took far too long to get off the ground without building any tension (Predator, for example, had tension - we were shown scary things afoot before shooting started)

Script didn't really work, things were badly explained, the characters lacked fire and whined and hesitated in a completely unfitting manner. Dan Abnett is a very competent pulp novelist - maybe they should have hired a professional screenwriter instead though.

Characters were unimpressive, I got no impression that these were formidable special forces/champions of mankind. They were a bunch of scrubs. No tactics or training on display, little fanaticism, slow to react, bantered amongst themselves in a way that made it plain they had no idea about what the mission was or why they should be in the army! Animation hurt here - there was no sense of scale of the Space Marines, and there was no sense of physical power in their movements. Predator or 300 or any slickly made action film, the central badasses look hard. They have powerful physiques, they move and talk with energy, they are shown acting in a militarily professional manner. The Space Marines just ambled around, talking very slowly, showing very little heat and no military movement whatsoever.

I know the film was aimed at people who knew the background already. But in a very few lines they could have explained that SM are rigorously selected, they're the elite of a huge Empire, the huge empire is full of war and problems, Chaos SM are traitors who worship dark gods. As is they spouted some super-vague guff about SM being hard and there being lots of war. When Chaos showed up, any non-WH40k player would have been mystified! "So who are these guys?" "Why have they sacrificed all those other soldiers?" "What are a load of demons and devil-worshippers doing in the far future?". Any good action film has to give you some idea of what the bad guys are trying to destroy and what the good guys are fighting to preserve. It only takes about 2 minutes FFS! Could have used some of that walking round the desert time . . .

Final complaint, poor sense of the universe' scale and what was going on. Why are some marines off investigating a desert world on foot? They had a massive warship that was only carrying a dropship, 12 men and a small flying car? Why should I care? You need to give the audience a little more than "it's a relic, people have lost contact". Example, Event Horizon, a great horror film and in some sense a '40k prequel': the rescue mission is built up. You get an explanation of what's at stake, there's obviously something scary going on, the people who go in are aware that things are important and act accordingly. As was, first things were just dull, then some random faceless motivation-less enemies were fighting the motivation-less good guys!

Wow, that turned into a bit of a rant. My point is, I started the film with low explanations and they were fully met. Animation/budget only explains part of the problem, I cannot imagine how they thought the pacing/structure, characters, enemies, combat, or anything in the film were up to snuff.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 16:30:07


Post by: obsidianaura


I thought it was bad for so many reasons.

Several > 1 Ton marines walking over wooden bridges.

The English writing should have been in Gothic

There were only 12 marines onboard the whole Strike Cruiser?

Space Marines were dropped so easily by Bolters

A Spacemarine hitting a wall and getting knocked out

(nit picking) I don't even know if a Daemon could survive being on a ship with if its Geller Field was running


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 16:35:50


Post by: Nulipuli2


I dont know what you guys are complaining about, i geuss you were expecting Avatar. The movie was good, i enjoyed it.
The only thing wrong with it was the bolters killin the marines so fast like obsidian said. On to the other points, you dont know what kind of wood that was, or if it even was wood, its a random planet, its the 41'st milenium im pretty sure they found diffrent kinds of wood by now. Did you guys see the whole strike cruiser? No. I was expecting more... epicness and a large battle, but it was still a good movie


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 17:27:53


Post by: Dashofpepper


Uh...

First of all....Space Marines have rhinos. No reason for them to be wandering across a desert to develop characters.

Second, and worst of all - every fluff reference to Space Marines has them with deep, bass, growling gravelly voices - not prissy british voices. Anyone ever seen the movie "Underworld?" The huge lycan black guy with the ridiculously low voice - that's what I expect Space Marines to sound like.



I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 17:39:39


Post by: Augustus


Yea, guys with a space ship, and a drop ship, and a landspeeder, land away from their objective and walk there?

Uh what?

Totally agree with the rhino comment.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 17:57:02


Post by: DickBandit


I've watched it twice. I thought it was good. Not great, but good.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
eZieweZie wrote:In order to better asses the impact the movie had had on the community, an extensive survey has been created. The idea is for as many people as possible who have watched the movie to fill it in and a thorough statistical analysis will then be performed on the collected data. The results should give a pretty solid impression of how people reacted to the movie and why. The information could also prove useful in order to improve any next W40k movies, if there will be any.

More information here:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/340985.page#2348136

Good survey. I hope they take this into account. It was hard choosing who should be the protagonist, but I definitely wanna see some nids! Maybe a temporary alliance between two races?

I say the movie is ok because it didn't leave me with the same feeling movie adaptations of video games do. You know the feeling of "DID THE DIRECTOR EVEN PLAY (insert every video game that has a movie here)!?"


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 18:13:06


Post by: Devastator


so emperor gave that book when IF Chapter was founded?
while being in golden throne?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 18:16:32


Post by: DickBandit


Devastator wrote:so emperor gave that book when IF Chapter was founded?
fail

What failed?


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/24 18:21:32


Post by: Devastator


legion vs chapter?
emperor was 20 years in throne before chapters were even created


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/25 03:09:59


Post by: obsequiousmelon


I was so disappointed by the film.
Here is a link to a review. It's an honest review that doesn't make excuses and holds it up to the standards set by other films.

http://filmstodatemysisterby.blogspot.com/2011/01/obsequiousmelon-went-to-see-smurfs.html#more


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/25 03:26:30


Post by: xlightscreen


What I want to see is a Imperial guard based movie with space marines. Like how would guardsmen work with space marines in the first place? I mean certainly you would have to design special trench systems that could work for both. Also being a regular human and getting your ass kicked constantly but still standing just makes good stuff.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/25 05:10:28


Post by: Grey Templar


Dashofpepper wrote:Second, and worst of all - every fluff reference to Space Marines has them with deep, bass, growling gravelly voices - not prissy british voices. Anyone ever seen the movie "Underworld?" The huge lycan black guy with the ridiculously low voice - that's what I expect Space Marines to sound like.



Come on, the new guys just haven't hit Pubes yet

besides, if they made them all deep and gravely we might have had trouble understanding them.




as to IG with SMs: definitly coming eventually. they probably will have some in the Sequel.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/25 05:25:47


Post by: Happygrunt


I hope this was STRIKE CRUISER SHORT BUS, because their commander, and everyone on board really, was a complete idiot. Probably why there were only 12 marines, 1 thunderhawk and a landspeeder.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/25 05:34:51


Post by: GamzaTheChaos


I believe the Ultramarines movie accurately depicted the new Chaos codex fairly well. I mean it took like 50 chaos marines to kill 2 Ultramarines before the Thunderhawk came to save the Ultramarine from a battle they were winning!


Must have been over a thousand chaos marines to take out a single company of Imperial fists.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/26 13:36:40


Post by: obsidianaura


Devastator wrote:so emperor gave that book when IF Chapter was founded?
while being in golden throne?


As Imperial Fists were an orignal legion I think they'd still consider the original founding to be theirs rather than when they were reorganised into Imperial Fists, Black Templers, and Crimson Fists


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/31 07:21:55


Post by: Curis




I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/31 11:43:20


Post by: Mr Hyena


I personally prefer those smaller live action movies they mad. Sure they look pretty bad nowadays, but damn it felt more like 40k. The Dark Angels/Inquisitor one was awesome.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/01/31 15:52:53


Post by: Grey Templar


I saw that DA one, it felt too stiff to be 40k. that or the French are just horrible actors. and the English translation was up.


and BTW, those are unsanctioned Fan movies.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/02/10 13:07:30


Post by: Curis




I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/02/10 13:19:28


Post by: Dark


Hehehehe, I saw that one on your page a couple days ago xD

What pissed me off the most about the plot was the millenia old chaos warriors falling like leaves D=

Everything else was covered up I think, in the comic pages.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/02/10 13:40:57


Post by: Theofilos


They could have done a better job on it, i found the plot really poor and not only this but I was expecting something way better. It was good to see that tho.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/02/10 14:05:30


Post by: Dark


Honestly, I expected a better plot from Abnett, but I'm not sure about the timeline's he was given, and how that interacted with his ilness and the making of Prospero Burns.

What I've heard, but I can't confirm it, is that Codex took one year to make the movie, and that alone explains, for example, the "all MK7 helmet" (I am Space Wolf Spartacus!), while other movies, say, How to Train your Dragon took 2 years in the making if we only counts voice acting and animating.


I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/02/10 15:38:03


Post by: Jon Garrett


All told, it wasn't terrible. There were certainly issues but, despite my expectations, not once did I fly into a foaming nerd rage, gnaking on furniture and cursing exsitence itself for being here so such a crap movie could be made. Unlike the Resident Evil movies, where I wanted to kill people upon viewing.

The problem, bar animation straight from 1990' kidshow ReBoot -

Yes. Anyway. The problem for me was the schziphrenic nature of the Chaos forces. One part has a subtle plot to allow the Ultramarine squad into the fortress, aquire the book and a possesed Captain, and get out so the Daemon can make his way to McCragge and wreak some havoc, maybe possesing a Primarch corpse to walk around in. I admit, I'm somewhat guessing, but that's the only reason i can think of for why the Ultras were allowed to walk in and out. And by subtle, I am talking 40K subtle.

On the other hand, most of the Black Legion were apparently Khorne worshippers who have forgotten they have guns. And there armour has turned to tissue. In my opinion, the movie would have been a lot more interesting if the enemy was essentially a Black Legion counter part squad led by a Aspiring Champion, with a little character to them. It would have made the battle much more engaging and showed that Chaos are as good as Ultramarines. As it stands I have no idea what was going on. Throwing away a bunch of over mutated dribbling idiots to futher the plan, maybe?

On the whole, though, despite the occasional screw up of details (a Captain and Apothacary leading a single, fresh squad? A Strike Cruiser apparently carrying said squad all alone with no other, veteran marines onboard?) I felt it captured a lot of the spirit of 40K. Maybe could have had a few more skulls.

Next time, I would like to see some lesser known forces involved though.



I just watched Ultramarines: The Movie @ 2011/02/11 23:40:52


Post by: Psienesis


First time poster, long-time lurker... not so much into the wargames any more (too expensive!) but have been a fan of GW's books and RPGs for a couple of decades now. Currently spending my time with Dark Heresy.

Anyway, introductions aside, I thought the film was rather well done for what it was supposed to be, the budget it had, and its goal to explore the viability of similar projects in the future. Some aspects of it were a bit off from the fluff, sure, but this was not, I think, to the film's detriment. A squad of perfect Space Marines doing everything by the Codex perfectly the first time forever would have made them, basically, cookie-cutter, inhuman characters. I liked the fact that, for all the tactical doctrine and such that we are told in the fluff SMs go through, they are still, at heart, human, and subject to all the psychological foibles and frailties that that includes.

I think they could have spent a few minutes re-capping what the lead-in comic revealed, explaining why there were so few Marines aboard the cruiser and why they were just jumped-up Scouts, but I think they did a good job capturing the "first battle" attitude of the glory-hounds and wannabe-heroes. That said, I'm not sure additional dialog explaining how "this should really go" would have served any better to differentiate between this emergency, slap-dash deployment and an actual mission of a Space Marine squad. I did like a bit of the banter between the Apothecary and the Captain, which I thought did well to illustrate strict adherence to the Codex vs interpretations of the Codex.

The animation was a bit sketchy in places, sure. Then again, I read a quote that this film's budget was $12 million. 300, by comparison, had a budget of $60 million. Pixar's Toy Story 3 had a $200 million budget. Avatar had a budget of $237 million, and involved the creation of a new technology in order to film it. Animation ain't cheap, and it really is a matter of "you get what you pay for". Incidentally, budget figures for Relic's Dawn of War 2 are not available, but PlasticWax (the studio that created the DOW2 intro) reportedly spent 3 months on those, what, 4 minutes? We'd be waiting until 2012 if Codex had gone that route. Hmm... maybe the prophesied Mayan apocalypse is actually an Exterminatus event...

Overall, I really liked it. For being the first WH40K film, I think it did what it set out to do, which was make a movie for fans of the franchise. This is definitely a movie for fans. It skips past a lot of "filler" info on the universe and setting that, had this been made for a wider audience, would have bogged the film down in exposition. We all know what a Space Marine is. We all know what a boltgun is. We all know that, in the grim future of the 41st millenium, there is only war.

8 out of 10, would watch again. Plan on making my Dark Heresy group sit through it tonight, before they begin their investigation of the Cold Trade and the possibility of a new xeno threat in the Koronus Expanse...