Secret Level- Series Review

Secret Level is an Amazon backed anthology series of videogame world inspired short stories that mixes cutting-edge animation styles with quick fire storylines. Each episode is stand-alone and is set within a different game universe and so, like all anthology shows, some will chime with you more than others depending upon your investment in the series or taste in genre and animation style. I was intrigued by the concept of this series as I am a gamer and have been for a long time so aa animated series, similar in scope to Love, Death and Robots, which gives creatives a chance to use known worlds to create a short narrative experience, intrigued me. The fact that Tim Miller, who executive produced LDR, was leading this had me hopeful. However, I was very aware that while the first LDR series looked phenomenal, pretty much half of the episodes were poor Alien derivatives and I was worried that this would be the fate of Secret Level. Well, I’m sad to say that after watching the series it does suffer the same fate as more than half the episodes are focused on one theme - gritty sci-fi shorts with a focus on gun porn, resurrection and the repetitive lifecycle of the protagonists. What are the episodes like individually though?

Well, uniformly the series is beautifully animated with the color and kinetic energy effectively translating the familiar aesthetics of each game world into the dynamic animated format. With the animation being handed to Blur though, there is a house style that only occasionally is given a chance to branch out. This is a visual feast though, make no mistake, and it is further amplified by the inclusion of celebrity voice talent, adding a layer of star power that, while not always consistently impactful, provides an interesting draw. The standout vocal performance is of a smug character portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in episode 3, a real highlight. The episodes are interesting when looked at individually:

Dungeons and Dragons: The Queen's Cradle

When a party of four meets a cursed man, they take him with them to the dragon Oriel's lair to be cured. However, things do not go according to plan as they are attacked by the Cult of the Dragon.

This is a great episode to kick things off as the animation is spectacular and the story, whilst straightforward, is effective and leaves you wanting more.

Sifu: It Takes a Life

When a young man seeks revenge for the death of his father, he will lose many lives before getting to his goal.

The animation in this episode is brilliantly fluid, bringing the bustling rainy Hong Kong side streets to life in a painterly style. The fight scenes in this are spectacular; a cross between that visceral corridor fight scene in Oldboy and the more recent balletic fluidity of the John Wick series.

New World: The Once and Future King

An arrogant king arrives with a huge naval fleet to conquer another kingdom but, after a storm, washes up ashore all alone except for a single loyal servant. He still tries to take on the King of the land but is constantly defeated and realises that no-one ever dies in this land. Can he take over? Does it even matter

This is a really funny episode and I think this is because Arnold Schwarzenegger nails the character. He adds a lot of swagger and self-confidence to the king who is used to always winning, not because he is any good but because his subjects enabled him for fear of reprisals. The ending is quite beautiful though as it shows the opportunity time provides for self-reflection and growth.

Unreal Tournament: Xan

A group of mining robots turn against their corporate overlords and are punished to face off in an arena. What happens next is mayhem and chaos as everyone struggles to survive.

This episode is brilliant as it captures the vibe and kinetic energy of Unreal. The story is simple but the frantic shootouts are well choregraphed and so, they draw you in.

Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear

Set in the dark and nihilistic future, a squad of 5 marines look for their target on a hostile planet and proceed to hunt him down, bringing the pain on anyone who stands in their way.

I know of Warhammer but I have never played the board or videogames. However, I feel that this episode was a great primer as it's not heavy on lore but is just full of cool fights and set-pieces. I love the nod to Django with the squad dragging a coffin-like object behind them on a chain.

PACMAN: Circle

When an alien wakes up he has amnesia but a flying golden ball named Puck tells him he has to 'Eat or be eaten'. And so our protagonist goes on a journey to feed himself.

This is a weird take on the old Pacman game. The story is accurate to 'lore' but did it really have to be so grim dark? It seems so strange a direction to have gone down but different strokes, eh?

Crossfire: Good Conflict

As a storm hits the coast of America, two mercenary teams fight it out to retrieve a package. Who will win and who are the good guys?

This is an okay short film about the geopolitics of war; no-one thinks they're the bad guys but surely there is one side that is more responsible than the other. Right? I think it's supposed to show that people are just following orders but, irrespective of command, just following orders does not cut it- not when we are seeing real heinous acts happening in the real world. There must be a reckoning for decisions made and followed.

Armored Core: Asset Management

When a mech pilot is given an assignment he is wary as it is an unknown target. When the voice in his head, calling herself a result of obsolete augmentation surgery, warns him that he is pushing himself too far he disagrees and pushes himself to the limit.

Keanu Reeves leads this film and does a great job as a maverick pilot who is addicted to the highs of piloting. It's a quick action filled episode and the world created suitably grimy yet with awe inspiring vistas.

The Outer Worlds: The Company We Keep

When Amos, an orphan on garbage duty, sees a poster for a job he works hard to earn his right to go there and work for the company off-world where his old friend (and crush) left to work for. With his upbeat personality and honest character Amos succeeds and finds her, only to discover she is a chief scientist with designs on being the head of the company, even if it hurts people in its testing process.

I really loved this episode as it had a lot of levity amongst the darker episodes in this series. The message of unwavering brand loyalty in the face of incredible corporate malfeasance is very much front and centre but is done in a humorous and thought-provoking way.

Mega Man: Start

When their base is attacked by Dr Wiley's minions, Dr. Light and Rock discover their true strength and fight back.

This is a very short but cool origin story for Megaman, down to the cool pose with billowing hair on top of a building.

Exodus: Odyssey

When an engineer pursues his runaway daughter he goes through hell and high water to get her back, fighting an alien force and overwhelming odds. However, with time dilation he ages slower than his daughter - can he get her back before she ages too much?

This is quite a powerful episode on how far a parent is willing to go to rescue their flesh and blood. It ends on a note of hope and optimism and by gosh could we use some of that sweet, sweet optimism right now.

Spelunky: Tally

When two explorers keep dying as they try to escape from their subterranean world, they discuss the human cost to their rogue-like powers. Even if you always come back, are you the same person?

This is a good short piece about the meaning of life and why each turn is special, but this subject t has been covered before in New World and Sifu so seems repetitive. The art is stylised in a painterly, blockyish way and I quite liked it.

Concord: Tale of the Implacable

When a free gunner (I'm guessing this is a space swashbuckling type of job) captain is caught, her crew attempt to get her out. It goes South quick and they have to make contingencies on the fly.

This is quite a cool, lighthearted episode with a less accomplished Cowboy Bebop/ Firefly vibe. Watching this episode is a little bittersweet as the game was pulled within several days of release, potentially being the most expensive media flop of all time at a cost of $1/2 billion. Wowzers! The story had potential but, in a crowded market where people are time poor, it didn't stand out enough to build a fanbase.

Honour of Kings: The Way of All Things

When an AI controlled city goes power crazy, a young orphan teen challenges it to a game of Weiqi- a battle with winner takes all. He chooses Go and so, a duel for the soul of city is contested.

This is a gorgeous looking episode that looks at freewill, determinism and self-discovery. I quite liked it but it was not a standout.

Playtime: Fulfillment

A bored courier is sent to deliver a special package and her life is turned upside down by others who want it. The package allows her to manipulate the world around her but a military organisation want it for their own nefarious means.

This is a weird episode with a Colossi, Dad Kratos, Sackboy, Journey dude and others from the PlayStation stable out in force. It's a nice Leo Pointing Meme moment but as an episode, pretty inconsequential fanservice.

Overall, Secret Level is a solid anthology series and this season shows that the format in this style does have some legs. I look forward to seeing the maturity and flowering of ideas as creatives get more confident with the format. Love, Death and Robots honed its craft over a few seasons and I'm sure, given the chance, Secret Level will too. The standout episodes for me were the ones based on New World, The Outer Worlds and Sifu but there will be something here for everyone to enjoy. Roll on season 2!

Costume Quest Season 1 Part 2 Review

Costume Quest is the animated show based on the popular indie games from 2010 and 2014. It took many years to get the animated treatment but boy but when season 1 part 1 released was it a real treat.

For the uninitiated, the story concerns four children; Wren, the strong headed girl, Reynold, her nervous and scaredy-cat twin, Everett, the confident young boy, and Lucy, the shy, quiet girl, who battle against the dark forces of the nougat eating monsters that lurk in their sleepy village of Auburn Pines. To help them in their quest they use a variety of magical costumes that have transformative powers.

The initial 7 episodes were a short, breezy watch and I said at the time that the story arc developed well as the characters went through strong personal growth. Now, after a few months of waiting part 2 of season 1 dropped a few days ago and it builds on all the good stuff that had gone before but now goes in at a deeper level.

The characters internal struggles come through and affect the group dynamics. Lucy worries if the reason she doesn't connect with her mother is because she's a nougat eating monster, Wren and Reynold struggle to reconcile their difference of opinions on how to tackle evil Bob and Everett is concerned that his dad is too 'boring'. There are high states as Bob Dickerson becomes Nougatown Mayor and takes control of the nougat mine, providing his Repugnians with the supply they need to become powered up and take over the world. This whole season ups the ante somewhat and it is a real rollercoaster ride of emotions as the kids find themselves costume-less and unsure who to trust.

I won't spoil the ending but it is an extremely satisfying conclusion that wraps things up pretty nearly, but there is an ending stinger that could mean season 2 with a new group of kids in a different town. I hope the series continues as it's cute, quirky and just beautifully animated in its own endearing way. 

LINK: Costume Quest Season 1 Part 2 Review

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Carmen Sandiego- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Season 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Season 1 Review

Lore- Series 1 Review

Monsters are creatures we run from, beasts we warn our children about and fiends that haunt our darkest dreams. Yet, there is something enticing, mesmerising even in their appearance. Terrifying as they might be, we cannot help but look even closer, parting our fingers that our covering our eyes to peer again at the horror. There is no getting around it: Something about monsters fascinates us. They may be the stuff of nightmares that make our hearts beat faster, sweat profusely and make our hairs stand on end but we cannot get enough of it.

It may be that at the most basic level, monsters represent fears held by society, fears associated with the dangers perceived in the often vast, uncaring world. The origins of some of our most deep rooted fears has been the focus of Aaron Mahnke, who since 2015 has been releasing bi-weekly podcasts called 'Lore.'

At the time of writing there have been more than 70 meticulously researched podcasts on a wide variety of themes from vampires to evil dolls. 'Lore' has now been turned into an anthology television series by Amazon Studios and for season 1 looks at a variety of popular horror tropes and their origins. Currently there are only 6 episodes, which are all presented with interesting visuals, which are a mix of live action dramatic shorts alongside archival footage, images and animation. All this helps to bring the show to life and presents the matter in the most visually interesting way. The episodes are:

They Made A Tonic- Before we knew how disease spread, medicine was as much superstition as it was science. And in the small New England towns of the 1800s, there is a belief that consumption can only be stopped by making sure the dead are actually dead.

Echoes- Dr. Walter Freeman is the father of the icepick lobotomy. He believes the ten-minute procedure will all but end the need for the mental hospital. He has the best of intentions but winds up creating an entirely new kind of horror story.

Black Stockings- In 19th century Ireland, folklore has a strong hold. Michael Cleary is convinced his wife, Bridget, has been replaced by a fairy called a changeling. And his belief drives him to the most extreme act.

Passing Notes- In 19th century America, at the height of the Spiritualist Movement, a haunted house is not just the stuff of ghost stories. Many believe the dead can talk and, sometimes, will come back from the other side to wreak havoc on the living.

The Beasts Within- Werewolves are now movie monsters. But they were once thought to be all too real. In 1589, villagers in Bedburg, Germany, are convinced that a werewolf is killing women and children only to discover the killer is really one of their own.

Unboxed- Robert Gene Otto is a child without friends. That is, until he receives a doll as a gift. He names the doll after himself, Robert. They become fast friends and soon the boy believes the doll is real. But to everyone else...Robert the Doll is a curse.

Mahnke's sonorous voice works well on the podcast as it is cold and unsettling, however it works less well when put through the filter of visuals but overall the information is compellingly put together that it is a minor gripe in what is a fine scary, campfire-like storytelling anthology series. The acted scenes are suitably moody and there are some fine actors involved including Robert Patrick and Adam Goldberg.

The show never gives a definitive answer as to whether the phenomena shared are true or merely fabrications, it merely presents the meticulously researched historic materials and documentation and leaves it up to the viewer to decide as to what they believe. If you want to be spooked but like the more cerebral kind of horror this show (and podcast) might just be what you are looking for!

The Moomins- Cartoon TV Review

The Moomins are beloved characters created by the Finnish artist and storyteller, Tove Jansson. I am a huge fan of the creatures but I wasn't always this interested. I first came across the series as most children did through the weird felt stop motion show from the 80's. I've spoken before about how the creepy music and unearthly jerky felt character movement weirded me out at the time but with time I've come to appreciate the music, but what of the show?

Well being older and braver I finally decided to eat that frog and re-watch the series and give it a re-evaluation.

The first series of The Moomins is now on Amazon Prime and whilst it is the classic series from the 80's much has changed. From the start things seem off, the creepy introduction music has been replaced by a cheesy pop track and the well recognised title card has disappeared too.

The iconic title card is removed from the Amazon Prime series.

The complete soundtrack has been replaced but also the charming narration and voice-work by Richard Murdoch, replaced by a variety of voice actors who now play the different characters. The new narrator sounds bored, speaking v-e-r-y slowly and without much enthusiasm. All these may not sound like much but collectively it changes the whole feel of the thing and as a such the series loses it's otherworldly charm. In the original first episode, Thingummy and Bob, the scary character of the Groke makes an appearance and the music is suitably dramatic and unsettling. The foley work is impressive with a deep growling sound combining with the dark synthesizer sound. However in this version this is replaced with a more modern dramatic piece of music which although sinister doesn't compare to the original composition.

I persevered for a couple of more episodes but as a whole the feel of the show was 'off.' In the same way that Turner Classic Movies recoloured old films like 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Big Sleep' to appeal to a newer, younger audience, or for more contemporary take, George Lucas' constant meddling with the original Star Wars Trilogy led to worse films, this playing with the Moomin animation of old does no favours to what was a classic if slightly unnerving animation series. If you can watch the originals then please do but this version on Amazon Prime is a poor option.

Phenomena- Cult Film Review

Dario Argento is an Italian director who is most known for his work in the horror genre, specifically the giallo 'slasher' films. Phenomena is one of his lesser known works, often forgotten behind his other films like Susperia and Tenebrae. I have watched his other films but came across this one on Amazon Prime so decided to give it a watch and these are my thoughts.

The plot focuses on a young girl Jennifer Corvino, played wonderfully by Jennifer Connelly, who attends a remote boarding school in Switzerland who discovers she has psychic powers that allow her to communicate with insects. She also discovers that there is a serial killer nearby who has been murdering and beheading young girls in and around the school and she must use her powers to stop him. She is assisted by Forensic Entomologist John McGregor, played wonderfully over the top by Donald Pleasence and his assistant the chimpanzee Inga.

As you can probably surmise from the brief blurb this is a pretty strange film but the whole thing is beautiful filmed and the location shots and Georgio Armani costumes are stunning. The plot moves at a good place and the climax is truly gruesome and gory... just what you expect from the Italian horror master. 

The version of the filmrestores some of the footage from the severely cut 'Creepers,' which was what the American release of the film was called after it was edited and cut to pieces. Most of the gore and missing scenes are returned but there is a weird disconnect when the film lunges from English to Italian to English again. You can make out what is happening and it all adds to the surreal dream-like quality of the film but it is a little jarring.

Special mention must be made about the soundtrack which features Argento regulars Goblin, but surprisingly it also features rock legends Iron Maiden... not bad at all!

So is this film worth watching. I'd say if you are a horror film aficionado with a penchant for the weird and surreal then yes but for your more mainstream horror fan this might be a bit too weird, stick to your Final Destinations.