|
What with Hollywood running out of ideas and turning
literally anything in to a movie including novelty toys we've long
forgotten about (ahem--Magic 8 Ball), the studios are doing what we've
been telling them to do for years now: they're seeking out independent
filmmakers for ideas. So now what with the surge of independent
filmmakers retreating to Youtube to post their ambitious projects for
free viewing, studios are snatching up these properties in hopes of
coming up with the next big blockbuster. I mean... it turned out pretty
well for "Paranormal Activity" and "District 9," didn't it?
Ricardo de Montreuil's science fiction short
is yet another indie success story, a prologue to a bigger scope of a
science fiction film that has now been bought by Universal Studios and
is being produced and probably will star Mark Wahlberg. For what it is,
"The Raven" is a rather fantastic short film that is short on plot, but
pretty dynamic on special effects.
|
In only six minutes Montreuil
manages to establish an entire world and a heroic character
in what is a pretty formula but entertaining little back
story.
Chris Black is a man on the run from a
totalitarian government in futuristic Los Angeles and he
pretty much spends the entire film running from robotic
drones and soldiers all of whom will do whatever it takes to
put a stop to him. |
|
 |
The government
obviously feels he's a threat, and he shows it when he's put in to a
corner and manages to display an enormous range of powers including
telepathy that he uses in great times of stress to bring down whatever
robotic soldier is on his tail. Monreuil directs with a gritty flair
that makes this feel like a Luc Besson "District B13" production, all
the while setting up a potentially rich in mythos epic about a super
powered being potentially being the last hope for a society that's being
run by a strict government. "The Raven" for a six minute film is pretty
damn eye catching and features some rather sharp set pieces and special
effects that enhance the story and puts up the potential for a larger
tale. How this will translate in to a two hour big budget epic? Time
will only tell.
With
the dozens upon dozens of independent filmmakers out there begging for a
big break, I hope studios will take the cue from money makers and Oscar
contenders that began as mini-budget independent fare and begin mining
the vast array of incredible ideas just waiting to be turned in to the
next "Star Wars."
Ricardo de Montreuil's "The Raven" is proof that there
are still great ideas out there with potential for something vast.
|
