2
out of
3
people found the following review helpful:
Story still needs work
Overall Recommendation:
3 stars
Premise:
3 stars
Story structure:
2 stars
Character:
2 stars
Dialogue:
2 stars
Emotion:
2 stars
June 05, 2012
(The remarks below were written in response to the Test Movie, not the script, which I hadn't read at the time of viewing. Now that I'm reading the script, I'm rather shocked to discover how well written it is. The Test Movie did not do it any justice. I've learned my lesson; I'll read the scripts first from now on and use that as the source to picture the movie. I'll offer some comments on the script elsewhere.)
I'm not sure about the Amazon concept of "Test Movies." We all know that bad movies can be made of good scripts; great movies can be made from minimalist scripts. There's a big difference between the two, the script being a written architectural inspiration for a visual medium.
That said, I thought the Test Movie was a pretty bad B-grade film destined to go straight to video. The premise is fair--a sort of X-Files meets Rosemary's Baby derivative--but could use work. I take it the Govt, in the form of Homeland Security, is the antagonist. Shouldn't wait until nearly the 3rd Act to boost the antagonist. (I first thought it was the doctor, but he never appeared very antagonistic. Then I thought perhaps the husband was a secret hybrid supporter....)
The movie dragged and had too many FX dream sequences, most which featured cars, trees, & sky. The Movie Science was kinda laughable, esp. when the Dr. was explaining some kind of impact at the cellular level. There were many redundant scenes. Tightened up, this film would run 40 minutes at most, which is a hint that more story development is needed.
Characters are undeveloped. The husband struck me as weak, pushed around by everybody, especially Skylar. I'm not sure who Nick was supposed to represent and Lisa existed only to get the infertile wife to her doctor, demonstrate the birth outcome, & put Skylar in the calamity. No one has any real depth.
I suggest renaming the movie, its current title too reminiscent of Children of Men. The third act is also similar in which the goal of getting to a protected location for raising the child is too much of a plot rip off.
To again voice my concern about Test Movies--if I were the writer hoping to get my script optioned, I'd be very concerned about putting out a bad visual array of my script. The images are everything, and I'd hate to see a movie that was on a quality par with a porn flick portraying the story. I'd rather have the visuals be depicted from the script to imagination or even to storyboard. Quality control is everything.
First act needs strengthening, sharpening. Why not start the film in the doctor's office where you can establish just about everything in a more interesting way?
I'm not sure about the Amazon concept of "Test Movies." We all know that bad movies can be made of good scripts; great movies can be made from minimalist scripts. There's a big difference between the two, the script being a written architectural inspiration for a visual medium.
That said, I thought the Test Movie was a pretty bad B-grade film destined to go straight to video. The premise is fair--a sort of X-Files meets Rosemary's Baby derivative--but could use work. I take it the Govt, in the form of Homeland Security, is the antagonist. Shouldn't wait until nearly the 3rd Act to boost the antagonist. (I first thought it was the doctor, but he never appeared very antagonistic. Then I thought perhaps the husband was a secret hybrid supporter....)
The movie dragged and had too many FX dream sequences, most which featured cars, trees, & sky. The Movie Science was kinda laughable, esp. when the Dr. was explaining some kind of impact at the cellular level. There were many redundant scenes. Tightened up, this film would run 40 minutes at most, which is a hint that more story development is needed.
Characters are undeveloped. The husband struck me as weak, pushed around by everybody, especially Skylar. I'm not sure who Nick was supposed to represent and Lisa existed only to get the infertile wife to her doctor, demonstrate the birth outcome, & put Skylar in the calamity. No one has any real depth.
I suggest renaming the movie, its current title too reminiscent of Children of Men. The third act is also similar in which the goal of getting to a protected location for raising the child is too much of a plot rip off.
To again voice my concern about Test Movies--if I were the writer hoping to get my script optioned, I'd be very concerned about putting out a bad visual array of my script. The images are everything, and I'd hate to see a movie that was on a quality par with a porn flick portraying the story. I'd rather have the visuals be depicted from the script to imagination or even to storyboard. Quality control is everything.
First act needs strengthening, sharpening. Why not start the film in the doctor's office where you can establish just about everything in a more interesting way?