Gianni's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Scarlet Steels Pilot]

I really want to give you points for being ambitious enough to go for a series with long episodes like this. Seriously, it isn't easy at all.

The concept is cool and it's completely acceptable to basically do an adult Powerpuff if you ask me, but you definitely need help with the writing. It spends too long explaining to the viewers what they would figure out naturally and immediately anyway. In the eleven minutes of video, the viewer probably only experiences like two minutes of learning new stuff, and none of that is executed too interestingly. Look, if you don't want to do comedy, if you don't connect with comedy, don't feel obligated to toss jokes into the animation. It doesn't have to be funny, you can do a straight up action/drama series if that's what you want, especially if your jokes will feel forced when you try them.

The art style is pretty nifty, and yeah the animation itself is a bit clunky but that's just a skill you build over time. What am I gonna do, tell you to get good? You're in the process of improving as an animator, this is the process. Animating. It's sufficient. It moves. It's fine while you improve.

The voice acting was decent enough in truth, had its ups and downs but generally fine, I liked all the VAs. They were more hurt by bad writing and awkward timing than I think the script was hurt by them, not to say they were perfect, but they were fine to me.

If you want an action/drama, I'd say to go for it, kill mom, make the brothers go it alone or something and start making things more intense and serious in that style direction, changing your mind on the lighthearted kids show comedy guff starting with episode two rather than rebooting episode one. If you DO want to keep it in this creative direction, that's fine, you should create what you'll be into the most, but I'd say bring someone else on to help you with writing or just give yourself more time and attention for it. Work with your VAs a bit and make sure everyone knows the full scene, the context, how the moment itself plays out so they can act more or less intense as needed. Work on your timing, don't focus so long on anything, viewers will piece it together much, much faster than you're animating it for.

But hey, you're catching a lot of flak here in the comments, don't take it too harshly. A lot of people enjoyed this a lot and had no complaints, and the ones who wrote you the negativity are writing it because they see potential in it, they're slightly interested or they wouldn't write. Don't let it fuck with you, and most importantly, don't let it fuck with you to the point where you have to straight up ignore the criticism to avoid feeling discouraged, because a lot of what folks are saying is pretty constructive.

I wouldn't say you need to give up on the project, but you either need to be truer to what you actually want to be creating if this felt a little forced for you, or really polish up this path for yourself on the topic of the Scarlet Steels.

Good luck, and thanks for the animation.

[Moritat]

One of my favorite songs I've heard Sinatra sing. I was just thinking the other day how it'd be great for an animation just like this one to go with Mack the Knife (minus Grim Fandango, didn't think of that, which was an awesome touch). Thanks!

[Addicktion]

Poetry spotted for the symbolism of consumerism shafting you...?

Ah who am I kidding. I love you so much. Never stop creating things.

Markface responds:

You're very sweet.

[Skate R Die]

It's a unique kind of horrifying that you can do 7+ content that's actually good. Think about it. YOU. Kids are doomed.

I'm still using "THANKS." as an inside joke with myself.

Speedo responds:

i think "thanks" is the funniest word ever for some reason i cannot stop saying it quickly and monotone (like paul demonstrated in the vid) please send help before i thanks out of control

[J Jonah Jameson Is Mean]

Awesome of course. I consistently forget what an awesome VA Generations1st actually is what with all the other cool stuff he's always up to. Really dig this.

[Romeo + Juliet (2014)]

Its brilliance is in its shortness. Solid little joke, thank you for not stretching it out.

[Guardian from strangers]

RIGHTEOUS. Touches on my favorite topic, which is of course moral ambiguity. The animation delightfully abuses the common habit of assuming details without knowing the full story. I'll be remembering this piece for a while. Also, you had Chongo and codeblackhayate, so the possibility of absolute and unredeemable fuck-uppery was approximately 0.0%.

[The Eyes of a Stranger]

HEEEADDDPHOOOAAAAAMMMMZZZ WHOOOOOOO!

You got creative as fuck with the theme. Really grabbed the ball and ran three miles out of the stadium with it. Book or series quality backstory, here. The narration was wordy but every word was functionally useful. The narration over spoken lines was far from disastrous so I wouldn't worry, and it's a concept that works pretty well but takes more time (which you didn't have) to get right. Visually the animation is a treat.

Use of SirUndead: 10/10
Use of theme: 10/10
Use of headphoamz: 20/10

Official NATA Total: 40/10 + a smiley face sticker and a pack of gum.

[the red snow]

Perfect use of the theme to demonstrate my favorite topic of all, moral ambiguity. Tastefully done, quite a looker of an animation too, really nice. Didn't drag on at all. Use of SirUndead gets 10/10, but your excellence in all of the other categories is what REALLY guarantees your victory in this competition.

dylan responds:

I'm gonna have to put you in my next toon to get double points!

[The Artist and the Canvas]

That ending was really well done. Slotting in the credits like that worked awesome. I'm also impressed with how good the animation actually looks. You did great as always, and I mean that you talented bastard.