Valark's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[We Are Science Probes]

A Step Too Far

Poignant if not overstated message about trusting in superstition, but seriously, that was just plain mean what you did to Kansas there. You had to make it a state-sponsored educational institution and couldn't have just used a fortune-telling house?

[BitterSweet]

WHAT?! NO!

He broke the absolute first rule of auto-cannibalism! You never eat your arms first, you need them to remove your legs and non-vital organs. If you eat both your hands, then you're just awkwardly stumbling around looking for a viable way to snap your legs off. And no one wants that.

[Hawaiian Puppies]

Great Animation

The animation and music were amazing and genuinely top-notch, and the voice acting seemed to work very well with the characters you had. There's just one thing...

I know you mentioned that you were going for a kid's animation and not to expect a great plot, but the plot progression in general was bad to a point of being painful. I'm not trying to be malicious to you or this clearly amazing animation, but I've never seen any story with so weak a plot without being satirical, even kid's stuff.

You've clearly mastered the drawing portion, but please, for your own sake if for no one else, put more work into your script next time.

HawaiianPuppies responds:

Thanks. The thing about this response is that its criticism, but it's tasteful, and although I've addressed this issue in a couple other responses I'll reiterate.

I'm one of those people who watch movies and often say "Man, the special effects were AMAZING.... but GOD, that script was awful!"

So, when writing this, I was a little disappointed that perhaps, even for kids, the plot was too simple and the dialogue too dry, but over time I came to just see the plot as a vehicle to promote animation and the comics.

I knew I wanted to do a musical and moreover wanted to fit in as many characters and locations as possible, and more importantly I knew I had just 3 minutes to do this. That being said, I am VERY proud of the sheer amount of story and characters packed, intelligently and progressively, into that short timespan.

Is the plot simple? Yeah. Does it progress disjointedly? Eh, that's up to interpretation. The characters are introduced, a problem arises, then the problem is fixed. There's not much dimension to the characters in this short, but that's because it's, well, short. And I guess that's my only defense, although I do not disagree the dialogue and plot can be painful, it's certainly not the worst and it does the job for the purpose of the cartoon.

[Bath]

I'm sorry...

This was a really calm and cute little animation, and the music was awesome.

But...

I couldn't help but be reminded of that Seed of Destruction game where the cowboy rides a massive sperm cell and kills everyone.

...

It kind of ruined it for me.

[Yoyo vs FLLFFL]

Ah, you added a new opening.

I don't know if it's actually new or not, but it wasn't there last time I saw this. Still as awesome as ever, and definitely needs a sequel of some sort. You have a lot of potential!

[Gravity's Just A Theory 2]

A good series, but...

While I really appreciate this artistic pieces that you do from time to time, ever since I saw Test of Doom, I can't help but feel that you might be better suited for comedic movies. Whether it be a continued series on the original Test bit or a completely different setting, I've seen the potential you have for humor and remain impressed.

And like I said, this movie is great. 10.

[Facebook Twitter]

Aww...

I enjoyed the awkward uncertainty Draconious left us with in the previous ending. It left something to the imagination and allowed us to imagine the next confrontation of the two. When we actually see him impaling himself with his own head, it seems like we went straight from uncertainty to decisiveness. Still a great flash with an important message, but a little less believable now. You know, for a movie about an evil muscular green monkey warrior speaking with a placid winged troll about social networking.

[The Painter's Sign]

Dark... Loved it.

While playing World of Goo, I sort of got the impression that the Signpainter was aware yet indifferent to the suffering and extendability of the Goo Balls. This is one messed up way to look at it, but it completely fits into my perception. Great job!

[Brawl Funnies [Dick 1]]

I need to say something...

This is the internet. Often times things become popular here that don't have a lot of work put into them simply for their appeal to a large demographic or to the basic human appreciation of ironic humor. Some of the most recognizable animations and music of the past several years have been simple animations and loops, such as The Llama Song and Badger Badger Badger. Appreciation is not directly linked to art on the internet.

That said, there is also a lot of cruelty on the internet. Insults and attacks are allowed behind anonymous screen names for the sake of freedom of expression. I don't believe this to be necessary or productive, and there are more peaceful ways to resolve these differences in opinion.

I can understand how you might be upset over the popularity of a work you find unworthy, but rampant swearing and intentionally offensive material may not be the best way to deliver your message.

This is the internet. Let's not let it fall to far.

[TOFUTWO]

Oh... I get it now...

The actions in the second movie explain the existence of the first.

Did you have this particular story line in mind from the beginning, or did it come as a result of a necessary sequel?

danomano65 responds:

i had a pretty clear idea of where it was goin.