WoW Moviewatch: Redemption II Trailer

by Moo Money Apr 23rd 2008 at 12:00PM

On the surface, this video looks like a very polished production. However, beneath it lies distracting music and a plotline so unclear that I can't tell if it's a comedy or meant to be taken seriously. It appears to have something to do with dragons, or possibly multi-colored aliens. Dragonwhelp Productions seems to be open to constructive feedback, though.

The trailer for Redemption II: The Calling is meant to preview the second part of a planned trilogy. The first part of the trilogy, Redemption: The Corrupter, was released about 9 months ago to fairly good reviews. There is currently no scheduled release date for the full-length version of the trailer.

[Via Warcraftmovies.com]

If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.

Previously on Moviewatch ...

Tags: dragonwhelp-productions, machinima, redemption-ii-the-calling, redemption-ii-trailer, redemption-the-corruptor, world-of-warcraft, wow, wow-moviewatch

Filed under: Machinima, WoW Moviewatch

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

TotalBiscuit Apr 23rd 2008 12:26PM

It's flashy, but that's really about it. The point of a trailer is to excite and inform the audience. After watching that I have no idea what this movie is going to be about, nor do I see any reason to actually watch it, so in the respect of a trailer, it's a failure.

Storytelling must always come first when dealing with the drama genre. Since the trailer doesn't even give any clue as to what the story will be, if any, that leads me to the conclusion that when it does come out, the story will be exceedingly weak. This may not be true, but that's the impression the trailer gives, and that is a very bad thing indeed.

Badger Apr 23rd 2008 1:52PM

I agree, storytelling is the first and foremost issue in dramatic film. I would say a close second would be character development, wouldn't you?

TotalBiscuit Apr 23rd 2008 2:13PM

In a lengthy or otherwise serialized machinima production yes, character progression is important. However, machinima tends to be quite short and there is rarely time for any meaningful character progression beyond the usual plot-twist. Characters need to be established very quickly, and are generally no-where near as deep as you would find in say, a TV series or novel. They will generally have a few character traits, either endearing or otherwise, that are stated almost immediately, and then carried on throughout.

Badger Apr 23rd 2008 2:17PM

Ah, that's a good point ... I'm not thinking in terms of "short films," as machinima are rarely longer than maybe ten minutes, if that.

Also: I found your word choice - "character progression" - amusing. That sounds to me a bit more like level grinding than psychological development, haha.

Badger Apr 23rd 2008 8:37PM

Okay, wait minute. I finally watched the trailer (earlier I was simply discussing the "literary elements" of film with TB, since FileFront is blocked at work) and here's what I saw/heard:

(a) Vague references to an alien species that probably has no place in the Warcraft setting.

(b) Similarly vague references to aliens who either play all five colors of "Magic: The Gathering" (with Bronze instead of White) or who reflect the colors of the Dragonflights.

(c) Dialogue that is impossible to make out with this sound mix - i.e., the music drowns out every word of spoken dialogue.

(d) A soundtrack pulled from an orchestral mix of "The Legend of Zelda." (Listen to the music if you don't believe me. That's a remixed version of Zelda's theme.)

With that said, the film does indeed have an impressive visual quality that appears to do an excellent job combining in-game footage (which should make classicists like TB happy) with top-notch animation via apps like Model Viewer. It certainly looks really, really pretty.

However, the plot looks a bit convoluted (though I could be wrong, since almost nothing is really said about the story in the trailer) and the sound mix needs a little tweaking.

Charlie Apr 23rd 2008 9:39PM

I got really excited for a second because i thought this was Return 2 (i couldn't remmeber the name at that time).

I clicked play and was incredibly dissapointed =(

I can't wait till they actually release that!

Nathan Apr 23rd 2008 10:37PM

I didn't think it was that convoluted. I saw it as simply a movie involving the dragonflights (as a collective maybe) returning to Azeroth.

Everything else in there was just samples from the actual movie, not to support any story or plotlines, which is why it was mostly effects laden.

Anyways, trailers aren't supposed to introduce any storyline, they are there to substantiate premise and include some tasty clips to entice you to see it.

The premise outside of any context is just than in an age of war an ancient race is returning. Special effects ensue yada yada.

If you want to see who or what the ancient race is, why they are returning and what they are going to do when they return, watch the full length. If you're not interested, then watch something else... simple.