Star Wars: Revelations

I didn't expect much from this film, because I understood it to be a low-budget fan film, created by amateurs. I must also note that I liked the first three films, but haven't really enjoyed the last two all that much.

Revelations was a hell of a lot better than I expected. The fight scenes were fun to watch, the pacing was tight (it's only forty minutes long, but they pack a lot of action into that time frame), and the special effects were jaw-droppingly good. I was very impressed with the cityscapes, chase scenes, and CGI/actor interaction. Later, while watching with commentary, I learned that a number of elements that I'd assumed were real-world were, in fact, computer-generated.

The acting? Well, what the hell, it's not like the last couple of movies set the bar really high... But I thought it was okay. Oscar-worthy? Well, what do you think? Come on, it was shot on weekends for thirty grand. By volunteers. But, I got to confess, the characters grew on me. Some of the performances were obviously done in front of static screens, but some of them were really effective. And Christ, that one guy sounded just like Vader.

Costumes were astounding, the banter had some really good ANH-style one-liners in it, and the DVD was laid out professionally. The full-size MOV download is about 350 megs, but it's so worth getting the DVD version and watching it on a big TV with the sound turned up (sound design was excellent -- the lightsabers sounded perfect, and the music was well done).

Few low-budget movies cause people to pound the arm rest and laughingly yell obscenities at their friends, then shake their heads. This was one of them. Impressive!

Well, first off I would just like to say that it was a very good effort. I hope they continue and improve. Things look very promising.

First, the good.

I loved the special effects. Not quite Lucas, but very few professionals ever are! Light saber duels looked convincing enough, though not as fast as in the professional movies.

Declan's ship. Nice design. It was a cool looking space vessel, even Lucas should take notes on this one.

The city, party scenes, storm troopers, all well done. Some quick clips obviously borrowed from the movies, with the tie fighters and pilots, but the whole layout had the look and feel of a professional movie. The sets, backdrops, and locations all looked professional.

The plot, I thought, was also well written. The names nicely thought out. The sophistication was there and the ideas interesting.

Very well done.

Now the bad.

The first thing I noticed was the actors. Now, I am no actor, and I am no Harrison Ford or Ewan Mcgreggor, but the actors and actresses just did not look convincing or anywhere close to professional. Now, don't get me wrong, I know this is an amateur production, but if they spent all that effort with the set designs, CGI, artwork, and realistic light saber duels and ship to ship combat, they should have also perhaps thought about better actors.

OK, I know I'll get flamed for this, but the actors were a little pudgy and not as attractive. The first scene cuts to Taryn in her ship. I am sorry, and I apologize to the actress, but she is just not visually stimulating. In fact, she looks so amateur in appearance that I shut off the clip and came back to it later after deciding to give it another chance. The make-up looked amateur, and she was just not .... charismatic. Yeah, I know, they are amateurs. But surely in the Stars Wars fan base there are better looking people and better actors who would jump at the chance for recognition. Of course, if it were just a garage project for fun, I could understand casting friends and neighbors, and I could accept that ... but, then there are those awesome special effects, CGI, space battles, space ships, so to even it out, they really needed attractive and charismatic actors. Maybe I am asking too much, but I thought that was what it lacked. There were extras who certainly looked more attractive.

Also, the main actors all looked a little flabby or less muscular than I believe a Jedi would look. I envision Jedi knights, or warriors, to be in a little more shape. Declan's beer gut was bulging, but then again perhaps this was realistic for a space smuggler type, though Harrison Ford was certainly the opposite.

The acting, at times was fair, and could pass as a low budget movie, but I have seen better acting in college plays and acting school productions.

I don't want to be two harsh, but what I see is a great effort with the look and feel, but a let down with the main characters due to their visibly amateurish abilities.

I compare this to Troops and IMPS where I thought the acting was definitely a step up, but then again they all wore armor and helmets! But, with better trained actors, this could turn into something! Looking forward to more from these people.

I thought the cast and crew did a brilliant job and achieved exactly what they've stated was their intent (From their official web site): "The goal has always been to push the limit of independent film making and show what can be done with a dedicated cast/crew... and the affordable solutions in today's market in terms of film and video." Bravo to the whole production.

The story was well thought through and drove the action. Acting was somewhat uneven, but much higher quality by far over most films in a similar budget range. It does support the theory that a film is like a chain and only as strong as its weakest link (e.g. the extras in the delegates party scene? brought the energy down for a short time), but the final analysis is that this is a good short film. Don't miss it.

If you judge this by the standards of a professional film, you're doing it a disservice. If you judge this to most fan films -- then it is an excellent film.

While some of the acting is stiff, and the dialogue is clumsy, there is the feeling of emotional bonds here between the characters. Some original thought went into creating "Revelations" and the plot shows it.

The special effects are very good (especially for a fan film.) Could it been tighter? Yes. Should it have been longer? Probably not. But is it worth the 47 minute download? I think so if only to see what might be coming in the future from such dedicated filmmakers and Star Wars fans.

I wouldn't underestimate the team behind "Revelations." They probably have a future in film-making.

Wow, Cant say how much I'm disappointed with the shooting of this movie. I don't understand why they didn't at least shoot this video in 24fps to make it look more movie-like. Shooting this video with 33fps or what ever they used, has made it look like a cheap homemade video.

The actors are terrible and their dialogs are even worse. I don't understand, did these guys get permission from Lucas arts to make this video?

The CG in this video,,, well can't complain much, in contrast to the rest of the production, it's a master piece. I have seen more professional productions with less CG quality.

It's a shame to leave such a production in the handful of UBER amateurs. But then i guess if your connected you can do anything in Hollywood. The fans curiosity will make them watch it in the end. But don't expect anything and you will not be disappointed.

I give it five stars for the CG work. Good work guys.