Guy Manley: A Real Movie

... 30 percent love it, 30 percent hate it, the rest are... ehhh, what did we just watch? Which group are you in? Personally I love movies that proves that creativity is still alive,even though it is the silly kind of creativity.

Absolutely over the top ridiculous action and full of absurd moments, when this spy hero, who looks like he is taken straight out of Rick Astley's 80s famous video, goes to work to assassinate a villain and piece his life back together. Full of witty parody moments, the keen observer will find lots of references to classic movies, and its sometimes even brilliant under a goofy surface.

Rarely does a film come along that leaves audiences questioning not only the decisions of its creators but also the sheer possibility of how something so abysmally executed could make it to screens. Guy Manley is one such film-a calamity on all fronts, from audio quality to cinematography, leaving viewers bewildered at how a project this poorly crafted was ever greenlit. In a world where even amateur YouTube videos display higher production standards, Guy Manley stands out as an unfortunate example of cinematic ineptitude.

Audio Quality: A Grating Experience

The film's audio is, without exaggeration, some of the worst ever heard in a feature-length production. In an era when basic sound equipment is accessible even to amateur filmmakers, it is astonishing that Guy Manley suffers from issues such as inconsistent volume levels, distorted dialogue, and a soundtrack that sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. Throughout the movie, dialogue often becomes inaudible, drowned out by background noise or overshadowed by an overbearing score that seems to have been mixed with complete disregard for what was happening on screen. In several scenes, characters' voices echo awkwardly, suggesting a lack of proper recording techniques or, worse, an entire neglect of post-production sound editing.

These technical flaws are not just minor distractions; they actively detract from any potential engagement with the narrative. The film's dialogue, when it can be heard, is often muffled or accompanied by static, making it nearly impossible to follow conversations. Moments that are meant to be tense or dramatic are unintentionally comical due to the audio shortcomings. One could argue that sound is one of the most fundamental aspects of filmmaking, and yet, Guy Manley treats it as an afterthought, if it was ever considered at all.

Cinematography: A Visual Nightmare

If the audio was not enough to drive viewers away, the cinematography seals the deal. Guy Manley appears to have been shot without any understanding of basic film techniques. The framing of shots is haphazard, often cutting off characters' faces or focusing on irrelevant background elements instead of the action or dialogue. This lack of focus makes many scenes confusing, leaving audiences disoriented and struggling to piece together what is happening.

Lighting is another area where the film fails spectacularly. In many scenes, the lighting is either too harsh or too dim, casting awkward shadows that obscure actors' faces and key elements of the scene. In moments where mood lighting could have been employed to enhance the atmosphere, Guy Manley instead delivers either blinding overexposure or murky darkness. It's a level of ineptitude that suggests the crew was entirely unfamiliar with how to use lighting to convey tone or emotion.

The camera work, often shaky and erratic, only compounds the film's visual shortcomings. During what are presumably action scenes, the camera moves in such a frenetic and uncontrolled manner that it becomes difficult to discern what is happening. Rather than creating a sense of excitement, this shaky-cam technique induces a feeling of nausea, leaving viewers yearning for a simple, static shot to bring some clarity to the chaos. It's as if the filmmakers believed that frantic camera movement would distract from the film's many other failings. Unfortunately, it only highlights their lack of skill.

Direction and Editing: A Case Study in Incompetence

The direction and editing in Guy Manley are equally baffling. Scenes drag on far longer than necessary, with awkward pauses and transitions that disrupt the pacing. There are moments when it feels like the movie was stitched together from first takes, with no apparent effort to refine performances or improve coherence in post-production.

Incompetence permeates every frame of this film. Subplots appear and vanish without resolution, characters make baffling choices that defy logic, and the narrative structure is practically non-existent. The editing does nothing to alleviate these issues; instead, it exacerbates them. The cuts between scenes are abrupt and jarring, often leading to a complete disconnect between sequences.

Conclusion: A New Low in Filmmaking

In an age where filmmaking tools are more accessible than ever, Guy Manley manages to be an affront to even the most forgiving audience. When compared to the level of craftsmanship found in amateur YouTube videos-many of which display a superior grasp of sound design, cinematography, and storytelling-it becomes clear just how poorly this movie was executed.

Guy Manley fails not just as a film but as an example of basic cinematic competence. It's a baffling experience that leaves viewers not only questioning the filmmakers' decisions but also wondering how anyone involved thought this was a finished product worthy of release. In the end, Guy Manley is a stark reminder that even in the realm of low-budget filmmaking, there is a baseline of quality that should never be crossed. This film doesn't just stumble over that line; it plummets into an abyss of mediocrity.

"Guy Manley - A Real Movie" is nothing short of a cinematic miracle, adrenaline-fueled ride through the absurd, stitched together by the sheer willpower and insanity of four fearless filmmakers. Who needs a budget when you've got this much creativity and raw energy? From start to finish, it's a rollercoaster of blood-soaked, laugh-out-loud chaos, packed with over-the-top visual effects that scream, "We're having the time of our lives, and so should you!"

Sure, it's silly. Ridiculously silly. The humor can be childish but still brilliant, with one-liners that'll make you groan while secretly loving every second of it. And the action? Pure madness. Explosions, slow-motion jumps, and gore-lots and lots of glorious gore-all cranked up to eleven just because it can be.

But that's the beauty of Guy Manley. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a passion project, made for the love of filmmaking and the joy of bringing something wild into the world. No studio backing, no real budgets. Just four people saying, "Let's make the most fun movie we can!" And boy, did they deliver.

If you're not entertained by this unapologetically absurd masterpiece, you might want to check your pulse. Guy Manley is the embodiment of DIY filmmaking at its most outrageous, and it's the kind of film that inspires others to grab a camera, grab some friends, and just make something awesome.

10/10 for pure, unfiltered joy and creativity.

Very bland movie that tries to hide behind over-the-top humor. In fact, it was painfull trying to not cringe while watching this odd movie whose entire plot seems to never have left the "2012 youtube sketch comedy"-phase. It is very much like the school projects you were forced to make when you were younger, and much like then, it is only your family and friends that enjoys it. I suppose it is cool to be proud of what you have achived and hide behind teamspirit and beliving that you can do anything - even creating a movie. However, it is sad that it has come to this. Please, just spare us of seeing this on the big screen. Show your family and friends and leave us be.

Edit: It's very telling when the only 10/10 review is from a user sharing the same name as one of the creators.

The Japanese have a reputation for bizarre, over-the-top, outrageously silly concepts. (Tokyo Gore Police, Message from Space, dare I say it...Godzilla)

Then there is the Swedes with "Gayniggers From Outer Space" (1992), "Kung Fury" (2015), and "Guy Manley: Super Spy" aka "Guy Manley: A Real Movie".

This movie reminds me of "Boy Kills World" with Swedish born actor Bill Skarsgård, released the same year. In it his character uses a voice he heard in a video game, that sounds a whole bunch like Guy Manley.

Sure there is a lot of VFX, but I can enjoy a good cartoon, or animated feature now and again. Give your brain a rest, and watch this for what it is...an hour and a half of fantasy/action entertainment. Wile E. Coyote would approve.