Movies based on video games have always been hit or miss in my book but this is one of those cases where they actually hit.
Not a lot I can really say about this film, this is basically another amateur film but it's really good let alone it's a parody film done right.
I really like the production value, despite working with a low budget I felt they used it really well, I liked the use of practical locations there's no CGI background which I'm grateful for, and the multiple locations they used really gave the film the sense of an actually adventure and that they were in a video game world. They do have some digital visual effects which are decent, it's an amateur film what do you expect. However the make up effects on most of the monster baddies I thought were really solid, I mainly liked the make up work of the zombies which really looked creepy.
The action is decent, the chirography was pretty decent, they did the best they could and I felt they did alright. My favorite action sequence is the journey to the basement levels which were an homage to "Metroid Prime" and "Resident Evil" really love the cinematography as they were using the first person perspective on the character Sam. Even liked the shoot out chirography in that sequence which really ave you the feeling you were playing a first person shooter game on a console system.
Another is the "Final Fantasy" like battle which cracks me up as we see both sides are just practically just standing still while moving their bodies and just taking turns hitting each other. It's funny because neither side is putting up any real defense or resistance once one character attacks another character from the other side.
I really like the story as it homages and parodies on all of the clichés and features we have seen in most games we know and love. The plot is pretty basic in fact it's sort of almost an homage toward the animated series "Captain N the Game Master" as it's about a chosen hero helping the last of a resistance that all consist of video game characters to save the video game world. However the plot isn't really that important it's really more what the characters do and how they react toward situations that matter and it's what we pay attention to the most.
The characters are solid there is a good back and forth. I really like the Scorpian like character, he's tough but he's kinda a grouch, what makes him funny is his obsession with Shurikens/Ninja Stars. It's sort of the cliché on how it is the most common weapon in almost all video game staring ninjas like the "Shnobi" franchise and they always carry a unlimited or crazy amount more than anyone can logically carry. It's also funny as he practically regards it as the single solution to almost everything, and of coruse he stupidly wastes them or just doesn't use them well (may'be he should think of spending time at the range).
Nimpus he's a decent protagonist, I'll admit he's sort of one of the weak points of the film and dynamic. He just comes of as really bland and the energy just seems a little low, I don't know if that was the intention in the script or the actor. However around the second and third act, his character does redeem himself when he start to come around for me as it looks like he begins to have personality and energy, let alone the character starts really getting to work. I also like that he's a bit almost like a regular guy as he points certain things out, much as we would when sometimes playing a video game.
Though my favorite character is Sam, really like the actress that plays her she's cute and looks really good without the suit. Sam is obviously a Samus like character, I really like that throughout most of the film she is using her harmonizer voice basically a way to disguise her real voice let alone in the power suit which I feel gives her sort of a mystic much like the original Samus. She smart, tough, has sort of dry charisma. I really like the back and forth between both Nimbus and her, it's funny how as Sam develops some romantic feelings for Nimbus, Nimbus keeps mistakenly assuming she's a guy which is why he acts uncomfortable since he's heterosexual.
Though Nimbus should of got the hint or considered the possibility Sam is a girl. From some scenes on how she walks or stands, fits in the suit, let alone the fact the helmet has a voice harmonizer. But in a way this was an homage joke to the first "Metroid" game where we all at first assumed Samus was a guy or cyborg.
The only bad thing is there are a few slow spots in places of the film, it just felt like something should of happened in those parts or a certain amount of minutes needed to be edited but it doesn't cut into the momentum of the film too much so I can't complain too much about that.
Also this film may not be for everyone, if your a gamer or are at least a casual fan of video game then this film is for you, if not then "Press Start" is probably not going to be your thing.
Press Start like any good video game is a fun time.
Rating: 3 stars
