*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Director/writer Neill Blomkamp did a wonderful job directing this visually appealing and imaginative Sci-Fi/Horror short film. Clearly this type of film is in his wheelhouse having directed the likes of Chappie, Elysium and District 9 - all in my top favorite films of all time.
His imagination in the creation of the creature was unusually pleasant and creepy - mission accomplished, although I may have chosen a different sound for the creature other than sounding asthmatic.
Dakota Fanning's character and performance as Barklay was on point and very well executed. However, Jose Pablo Cantillo's character as Quinn was a little overboard - in the characters dialogue and in his acting.
The plot certainly had many holes, the biggest being how everyone died, including soldier Quinn. Yet Barklay, just a young girl with little combat experience managed to take the creature down all on her own with just a handgun, and managed to make it to the protected 'safe room' where no one else with access was able to do so.
So although the directing, cinematography/VFX, editing and sound/score were all great, it fell short for me on the writing.
Nevertheless, certainly enjoyable for a time-limited short film, and I recommend this to all who enjoy a good sci-fi horror.
It's an 8/10 from me.
Director/writer Neill Blomkamp did a wonderful job directing this visually appealing and imaginative Sci-Fi/Horror short film. Clearly this type of film is in his wheelhouse having directed the likes of Chappie, Elysium and District 9 - all in my top favorite films of all time.
His imagination in the creation of the creature was unusually pleasant and creepy - mission accomplished, although I may have chosen a different sound for the creature other than sounding asthmatic.
Dakota Fanning's character and performance as Barklay was on point and very well executed. However, Jose Pablo Cantillo's character as Quinn was a little overboard - in the characters dialogue and in his acting.
The plot certainly had many holes, the biggest being how everyone died, including soldier Quinn. Yet Barklay, just a young girl with little combat experience managed to take the creature down all on her own with just a handgun, and managed to make it to the protected 'safe room' where no one else with access was able to do so.
So although the directing, cinematography/VFX, editing and sound/score were all great, it fell short for me on the writing.
Nevertheless, certainly enjoyable for a time-limited short film, and I recommend this to all who enjoy a good sci-fi horror.
It's an 8/10 from me.