Kevin's Watch

Posted: **Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:45 am**

Still have heavy doubts about any video game movie, but this is encouraging:

Today, a news flash on Xbox.com announced that Halo finally has a director--a director most people have never heard of. "The Halo motion picture will be helmed by Neill Blomkamp, making his feature film debut," read the announcement on Xbox.com.

Who is Neill Blomkamp? The announcement describes him "as one of the most innovative and original artists currently working in short films and commercial advertising." The South African native has won three Clio Awards for his ad work, as well as a Visual Effects Society Award for a TV spot showing a dancing Citroen car. He was also named as featured artist at the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase at the 2004 Cannes International Film Festival.

Blomkamp has also done some television and film work, mostly as a special effects animator. According to Internet Movie Database, he was nominated for an Emmy in 2000 for an episode of Dark Angel, and he has worked on Smallville, Mercy Point, First Wave, and Stargate SG-1.

[UPDATE] Within filmmaking circles, Blomkamp has earned some distinction for his 2005 short film "Alive in Joburg." The opening scene of the six-minute short, which is viewable on YouTube, looks much like the New Mombassa maps in Halo 2: As gigantic alien ships hover overhead a delapitated metropolis (in this case, Johannesburg), human troops in full combat gear confront a towering alien in power armor.

You can check Blomkamp's short film here: youtube.com/watch?v=4Zep9TlaPSo

Takes a lot of guts to cast an unknown to direct such a blockbuster film. Also: there's the fact that Peter Jackson is executive producer, with Weta doing the effects and such.

Today's announcement also confirmed, as many had suspected, that Halo will not hit theaters in summer 2007, as was originally planned. "The film is currently targeted for a Summer 2008 worldwide release," read the announcement. The film will be shot in New Zealand, taking advantage of that country's dramatic landscapes and favorable exchange rates. Jackson's Weta Digital and Weta Workshop will handle the effects and costumes, respectively.

Posted: **Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:24 am**

That video was really, really frigging good.

Posted: **Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:16 pm**

The movie is going to be lame. The story to Halo was lame. The reason Halo was good because of the gameplay, weapons n stuff and the AI.

Posted: **Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:48 pm**

Queeaqueg wrote:The movie is going to be lame. The story to Halo was lame. The reason Halo was good because of the gameplay, weapons n stuff and the AI.

When in the world has story ever been important to a big summer action flick? I think the whole focus going to be on action sequences, splashes of huge effects, intense firefights, etc.

Moreover, a mindless action romp can be just as masterful and enjoyable as any convoluted drama. Both can be equally great, just in different ways.

Posted: **Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:33 pm**

The abysmal track record for game-to-movie adaptations speaks for itself...but hope springs eternal, I guess. I've never heard of Neill Blomkamp either, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, Ridley Scott came from commercial advertising, too. (Not that I'm pressuring Mr. Blomkamp to be the next Ridley Scott...)

Posted: **Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:59 pm**

I only hope they have a better main character than the Master Chief. A guy in green armour with a gruff voice - oh, the brilliance.

Posted: **Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:24 pm**

Loremaster wrote:I only hope they have a better main character than the Master Chief. A guy in green armour with a gruff voice - oh, the brilliance.

The Rock, anyone?

Kevin's Watch

HALO movie update

HALO movie update