Blog Talkback: Cool Stuff: Azureus Rising

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TLi

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Azureus Rising is a slick sci-fi short from Black Sun Entertainment. It was created as proof of concept test for a feature film trilogy. The story arc of which will follow, Azureus, who becomes a freedom fighter after escaping death and experiencing a life-altering journey. This short is an action sequence. In it, the hero fights to escape soldiers and monstrous droids.

I was simultaneously incredibly impressed and slightly disappointed with the sequence. It was mildly disappointing because it didn't feel like something I hadn't seen before. Between the music and the noticeable use of slow motion, it gave off a distinct Matrix vibe. On the other hand, the animation is really tight. There is no puppet-like jerkiness to the main character's movements. When Azureus lands, he has weight. When he floats in the air, making near impossible shots, it feels right within the physics of the world the studio has crafted. A great deal of attention was clearly paid to the design and texture of the main character (right down to the rust on his boots), everything he encounters and the city around him. Finally, the short moves quickly, which is probably what you want of an action sequence.


If they can handle the story arc and character progression as deftly as they did the animation, Azureus Rising could be very impressive as a feature film. Visit the short's web site for more images and some "Making Of" videos.


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Well if nothing else they've got the makings of a good videogame on their hands! You're absolutely right though: it's derivative of a lot of modern action cinema...but with this much style and excellent execution I don't think I care.

Great find. Thank you for sharing.
 
I remember this getting ripped apart a while back on Cartoon Brew, and I have to agree with the biggest complaint still: everything feels too staged. Like how the gun turrets are just barely too slow, or the way the guards just wait there for who knows how long while he readies a flash grenade.

I'm also not a fan of the mask, to be honest. I think a visor with a protruding "bill" would have been better, as it would allow the character to emote depending on how his head is turned in relation to the camera.
 
I'll agree that it would make a decent video game and say that I would probably buy that game.

I didn't really have a problem with the staging for the purposes of this particular action sequence. I understand its purpose was to convey that Azureus is a bad-ass and I'm cool with it on that level.

It had already thrown reality out the window with Azureus' blue hair that must've taken 12 hours to style and then made fun of reality's mother with the, what, 12 bazillion shots the hero made during one leap into the air? So, the soldiers were the equivalent of red shirts or storm troopers. I had already made concessions to achieve some degree of suspension of disbelief and I don't see acceptance of the slow turrets or the less-than-intelligent soldiers as being that far a leap from the rest.

I'd expect more if they ever took the idea further. I do agree that there always has to be the possibility in the audience's mind that this hero could die. I'd have a lot of trouble investing emotionally in a character that's clearly so much more skilled than his adversaries. I would have difficulty sticking with that hero over the course of one film, never mind a trilogy of films.
 
I think you misunderstand. I don't expect the soldiers to shoot him dead, I just want to see him work a bit more to achieve his goal and earn his status as a badass.

I want to see him air-dodge as those anti-air turrets barely graze him. I want to see him block the soldiers' bullets with his sword. I want him to be an epic badass, but my problem is that too much of it is caused more by his opponents simply not being a threat than him being simply better.
 
I think we're both pretty much saying the same thing. I'm just breaking it down to its basic concept and adding that I'd agree more enthusiastically if this was actually long form animation.

Did you see the second Matrix movie? Neo's god-like abilities are the closest parallel I can think of. What were your thoughts on that?
 
Never really saw the second Matrix, so I don't have any thoughts on that.

That said, I do like exceedingly powerful/badass leads. Devil May Cry is one of my favorite video game series, and I loved the fight scenes in Advent Children. And Equilibrium is one of my favorite movies of all time. But something feels off here, like the way he just sits there in that pose while guards surround him.
 
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