Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn

[Visions of Khas]

In anticipation of Halo 4, Bungie's successor 343 Industries produced Forward Unto Dawn, a live-action mini-series taking place in the Halo universe. It is presented as a series of flashbacks following the training and experiences of a troop of officers-in-training, focusing particularly on Thomas Lasky. This story is bookended by events leading up to Halo 4 itself at the present.

Phenomenal acting and special affects abound. The Covenant is properly portrayed as a truly alien and terrifying force of nature. The final installment was released just this morning, so I wanted to share it with you guys. It's pretty amazing.



Part I






PART II







PART III







PART IV







PART V

[Pr0nogo]

It was indeed very enjoyable. I'll have it on DVD this coming Monday, since I pre-ordered the collector's edition.

I wonder if that comes with the soundtrack, as well.

There were quite a few areas where I felt the special effects were actually lackluster, such as the Jackals in episode 5. When Kylar (sp) shot at them, they sort of just collapsed rather than showing visible damage or looking believably injured. All in all, though, it was great. I expected something much worse and was pleasantly surprised.

[TheEconomist]

Pre-ordered the useless collector's edition of a mediocre series yet bitches that he should be PAID to play StarCraft 2, *sigh*

[DemolitionSquid]

Mediocre? Halo: Combat Evolved almost single-handedly redefined and revitalized the FPS genre. The series has had a few missteps, but the Halo background and narrative is one of the most complete and coherent science fiction and military universes in gaming and literature. The quality of writing in everything Bungie did was constantly top of the line, and the gameplay of the series is fluid and addictive (both in campaign and multiplayer). "Mediocre" should be reserved for games that are a shadow of their former success, like StarCraft 2. It is not a word that has any weight in reference to Halo.

[Hawki]

Been watching the series myself. "Okay" is how I describe it. Episodes 1-3 were good, 4 dropped the ball, 5 had the ball hitting the ground. Pre-ordered Halo 4 myself but...well, it's gotten good reviews, but FuD's left a bitter taste in my mouth that I think will carry over, not to mention that 343 seems intent on self-sabotaging the supporting EU fiction. Time will tell I guess.

[Visions of Khas]

The series has had a few missteps, but the Halo background and narrative is one of the most complete and coherent science fiction and military universes in gaming and literature.

To me, Halo has always represented the quintessential sci-fi universe. It is the single most trope-laden series that I can recall. But it is because of that very distillation of scifi that I think it's been so successful, and why I enjoy it so. You've got your space-marines; your classical oppressive alien species driven by religion and glory; your hivemind bugs; and your progenitor race.

Been watching the series myself. "Okay" is how I describe it. Episodes 1-3 were good, 4 dropped the ball, 5 had the ball hitting the ground.

That's funny, because most other people say the exact opposite.

I absolutely loved part IV. The Covenant is presented as alien, unstoppable, and terrifying. They are a tidal wave of death and mystery. Absolute chaos and terror everywhere. Part V didn't do it for me because it was ultimately fan service. I cringed -- but also laughed -- when Lasky complains about how hard Warthogs are to drive; the Chief's "We're being Hunted" comment, and the cameos made by Spartans Kelly and Fred. (I especially liked Fred since his armor was a duplicate of Noble 6's from Reach.)

What parts did you not like?

[Hawki]

Part 4...okay, I'll put it this way. Part 4 is when the series felt like a low-budget series. I'm not against a low budget flick, but the trick is to not make your movie feel like it (Jaws is a common example). The Covenant didn't feel like anything. Certainly not scary, because we've seen them for over a decade now, we can't be scared. But they're kept in the shadows as if to make them scarey, but instead, makes me feel "yeah, they didn't have enough money to render them properly."

Then the characters. Chen and Vickers enter redshirt territory, deaths are barely commented on, it devolves into "let's play the game of who's going to die next." The sangheili stalking scene goes on far too long. It's not scarey (for the reasons mentioned above) and makes the sangheili seem like an idiot for not finding them sooner. Episodes 1-3 worked because we got to spend time with characters and learn about them. Episode 4, it's the Covenant that's trying to carry the episode, and failing, because there's not enough suspense to make them scarey, and not enough action for me to get pumped.

Episode 5...ugh. I may cover more later, but what part didn't I like? About the only part I did like was when Lasky looks in the mirror. Everything else is only good for a drinking game of "take a shot every time something stupid/contrived happens."

[Visions of Khas]

makes the sangheili seem like an idiot for not finding them sooner.

Yeah I was a little miffed too. On the one hand, I think to myself that the Elite is playing with his prey like a cat. Which is made obvious in how he stupidly and slowly reaches out with his blade to skewer Lasky's face. On the other, this Seinghilli is definitely no Elite -- or even a grunt for that matter, and is an absolute joke played on a species of tactics-geniuses.

I let it slide because 1.) Cay and mouse game; 2.) Recent books seem to be dumbing down the Elites (which I hate); and 3.) "Suspense." You gotta take the bad with the good.

[Hawki]

Haven't got a sense of recent books dumbing down the sangheili (apart from The Cole Protocol). Glasslands may count, but while it was no Contact Harvest in regards to depicting Covie culture, I could see the sangheili taking the path they do (which is iffy in itself in regards to Bungie's possible original attentions, but that's OT).

Actually, truth be told, I think part 4 actually deserves some credit that I forgot to mention. One part that's excellently done is when Lasky and co. step onto the grounds of Corbulo, finding the bodies all around them. Not a word is uttered, it's all show, allowing the viewer to experience the horrific scene with the characters, and while we've seen the Covenant before, it's not so often we've seen this kind of carnage. That part at least was well done IMO.

[Visions of Khas]

Oh no. Whoops, no, I'm sorry, I mean Part III was my favorite, with IV in at a close second. But yeah, you're right. Those few silent moments where the living Hastati take in the view of the dead -- that was chilling.


Okay, so it seems Hawki is all for teh subtlety. What good scifi shows, books or movies would you suggest, then?