This film is part of the Staff's Favorites collection of Doug |  | Long time in the making, Good Company: Redux is the recut, re-edited version of Nick Maniatis' successful Horror Contest film Good Company. Entered in the BricksWest 2003 Animation Festival, Redux is an absorbing, chilling, at times confusing and disturbing film. There are substantial changes from the original version, including 3 more minutes of footage, and a completely reworked conclusion. This film includes dialogue collaboration from no less than 3 continents, excellent sets, cool customs (check out the Bike), stereo sound and careful use of foley. It isn't perfect though. Some of the scenes in the dark are too hard to see, this may be intentional, but it is still frustrating at times. There are a number of set and prop bumps that occur mid scene (the coffee mug) that can distract the viewer, and the pace may be too slow for some. To quote from the forums, "If there were one, just one movie in the entire directory that had a snowballs chance of getting accepted in a 'real' film festival, it's this one. There are others that might be good enough, but none that are anywhere weird enough." You be the judge.
This film is very hard to review. Why? Because it has so many good points! Careful animation, good set design, background action (pay attention when the distribution manager and Marlow get ready to leave! And try to spot Ned Kelly!) Some touches I liked very much were the moving bushes as the car passed by, and the hat going slightly up when the manager scratches his head. At times the director bumped into stuff, like the chests in the distribution station, and the car when Marlow first enters the garage. But I admit I was looking for flaws. The first time they passed by unnoticed.
Camerawork was also excellent - careful setting up of shots (for example the handshake with the manager), changing angles throughout a conversation to keep things interesting (something I have not been able to do up to now), and smooth pans. Finally the director has played with focus on several occasions.
Sound effects were very carefully chosen, with music supporting the action, rather than being thrown in at random. The sound effects were finished, and fitted in the scenes perfectly (notice how they place the cups on the table?)
The story was well thought-out, interesting, and - while not exactly scary - did have a certain "disgust"-factor with the suggestion of all the violence going on, making it a horror film all right. It's not a "sit back and enjoy" kind of film, but when you're willing to put some energy into it, it is very rewarding.
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7.24 |
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7.78 |
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7.64 |
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8.00 |
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6.90 |
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7.61 |
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Based on 10 rating(s)
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