REVIEW THREAD: The Awakening

I got my copy of The Awakening over the weekend. I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who have not seen it yet so I won't go into much detail here.

First off, congratulations to everyone involved in this movie. Kelly and Mike for making it, Mandi/Tamra for starring, and Erik Manion for writing. Not to mention all the other actors/helpers who had a hand in it. You all did a great job.

For those of you who have seen "Girl of Steele", let me just say that the production values in this movie or at least 100 times better. Granted, this is still a "fan film" at it's core so don't expect it to be something you would see from a major motion picture studio. Still, for the budget and equipment available to them, they did a fantastic job.

Possibly the best part of the movie was the script. You can tell that it was written by one of us. It not only has a coherent plot, but there are lots of oppurtunities for Lara to show off her powers. And show them off she does. She does everything in this movie: superstrength, invulnerability, super breath, super speed. The only power lacking was flying (but that was probably more of a result of budget than willingness to put it in there).

Props to Mandi/Tamra and Mike for starring in the film. You guys did a great job and complimented each other well. Mandi probably had the tougher acting job by having to go from "sweet and innocent" to "arrogantly evil" and back over the course of the movie. However, don't sell Mike short. Remember, he was the main guy behind the scenes also, apart from being in the vast majority of them.

My only very minor criticism, and this is more of a personal preference than anything else, is the amount of gore involved. Yes, I realize Lara is evil and out of control and you wanted to get that point across. However, was all that gore really necessary? Like I said, this is a minor issue. In fact, I really didn't notice it too much the second time I watched it. But the first time, I found myself saying "Ewwwww...." a lot of the time. Like I said, this is personal preference. Some of you may enjoy it, perhaps even prefer it.

Well, I've rambled on ebough about it. Overall, I would give it five out of five stars for superheroine content. Which is what we all want to see, don't we?

I look forward to seeing what the rest of you think about it.

Hey, jdrock24! I'm glad that you liked it as much as you did.

>>>"My only very minor criticism, and this is more of a personal preference than anything else, is the amount of gore involved."<<<


I wouldn't recommend it for young kids. Kelly and I were on a similar wavelength on this, and I think Erik was too. Even before I came along, there was that head crushing scene in GIRL OF STEELE, so this isn't like a new twist in direction.

When Kelly pitched me on the movie, I knew very little about the supergirl genre. All I knew was that we wanted this to be a "real" movie (or as real for 5K, as we could get). Kelly and Erik were really flexible with letting me take the movie in a serious, no holds barred direction. I wanted a few scenes in there that went beyond the viewer's expectations and make them say, "Holy cow!!!" At the same time, it stays pretty clean - no 'F' words or 'R' rated nudity.

I'm very influenced by movies, like ROBOCOP, so even though it's not as violent as that movie, I wanted a similar feel. There were 3 scenes that went a little far, but I didn't want anything rampant - just the occasional surprise. :>)

Watching the movie at the premiere or at the Christmas party, we noticed that it pushed some buttons with the crowd. They really had fun with it, but when something "outrageous" happened, they were literally screaming with glee. After all, this is supergirl craziness, not something so dark and horrific, that people won't enjoy it.

However, I understand your concern, so I think it's good for other potential buyers to be aware of. At least, they know that it might be a good idea to have their kids out of the room. (My kids have seen it 100 times, but they were there for shooting - they know it's fake.)


>>>"Props to Mandi/Tamra and Mike for starring in the film. You guys did a great job and complimented each other well."<<<

Thankyou! Actually, I had in mind to play the role in a Major Nelson (I DREAM OF GENIE) type of way - a bit in his own world. David is the scientist who is caught up in his work, and at times is oblivious to how beautiful his wife is.

Mike

This movie sounds great and I'm planning on getting it very soon. I just wanted to know if the movie will be available as a paied download sometime in the future? I'd rather pay for it then download it (similar to new-goddess.com vids) instead of having the disk itself. :o

I just wanted to know if the movie will be available as a paied download sometime in the future?

I doubt it, but Lfan will have to answer this. The DVD's 159 minutes of material would be a heck of a big download.

I'd rather pay for it then download it (similar to new-goddess.com vids) instead of having the disk itself.

See what Lfan says. I have to point out that the DVD artwork is pretty stunning. The actual disc is not a consumer DVD-R, but rather a silver, replicated disc with silk screened pictures on it. Looks great on a shelf!

Race to Europe.

Well not many reviews/comments yet. Thanks to JD for kicking it off. Is it all that we hoped it would be JD?

Hope to read many more as I wait for my copy to arrive. So to all in Europe who ordered the film. Who will be the lucky one to recieve there copy first?

Waiting for the mail!


Gooner

Come on you GOONERS!!!!!

i just watched in tonight and i thought it was brilliant, i have seem hollywood super-movies with less conving super-effects i always been a fan of mandi/tamara they way it end could be sequel and a super-catfight anyway it was really worth the wait

thanks mandi and to everyone involved

dave

oh i forget i from the uk wondering i first from europe to get the film

dave

Okay, guys and gals, here's the first official review - 4 stars, from bumscorner.com!!!

www.bumscorner.com/bumnuke/index.php?mod...owcontent&id=386


Please excuse my excitement!

i just watched in tonight and i thought it was brilliant, i have seem hollywood super-movies with less conving super-effects i always been a fan of mandi/tamara they way it end could be sequel and a super-catfight anyway it was really worth the wait
dave

Thanks for that, Dave!

I recieved my copy today and WOW! What a great film. This is a must have dvd for fans of this genre.

It's been a long time coming. But when you see the result, you'll be blown away. Mandi/Tamra is absolutely stunning(great costume) and Heather is a bad-ass babe aswell.

To think the team had a budget of $5000, this is a great film. How many times have we been dissapointed with Hollywood? For not giving us great uber-babe action. There's plenty of uber-action/effects for us fans to enjoy (gr8 work Kel). Along with a great story by our own lfan. Which was then taken on and directed/edited by Mike. This film gives the us what we want, because it was made by fans for the fans. The disc last over 2hrs which consist of film plus behind the scenes, bloopers, interviews etc. So there's plenty to get your teeth into.

So a big thanks to all involved in this film for a job well done. Hope we get to see more of the same. :wink:

Tamra, whether good or bad your one hell of an UBER-BABE!

So to sum it up - BUY IT! You'll luv it.


Gooner

It's been a long time coming. But when you see the result, you'll be blown away. Mandi/Tamra is absolutely stunning(great costume) and Heather is a bad-ass babe aswell.

To think the team had a budget of $5000, this is a great film. How many times have we been dissapointed with Hollywood?

Gooner, that's some great feedback. They say that "time is money." The reverse is also true - "money buys time!" Since we didn't have much of the latter.... well, that brings us to now. Anyway, I'm glad that you and many others are finding that the wait was worth it. I keep watching the darn thing, over and over, and getting a kick out of it. It's like getting some sort of fix!

Mike, great news and great review! Tell him the check is in the mail! Seriously, awesome job as always! Made my day (a quite shitty one, BTW) a tad bit brighter!

Hey, I'm glad that review brightened up your day. Mine too! There will be more. I'm just hoping they love this great yarn that you whipped up, half as much as I do!

VERY COOL! And not because I got a mention in it! The way it was filmed and the "story" it told on the challenges that you and Kel and everyone had to overcome was amazing.

There was more, but I didn't want to bloat the experience of watching it. Now, you have a taste of it.

Of course, I KNOW it wasn't all roses and sunshine

Great memories, really. I wouldn't trade the experience of working with all of the cool people that I met on this. There were many times when something came up with the cast or a location would fall through, at the last minute. We ad-libbed a heluva lot! Plan A falls through, then Plan B and C. That's when we would make up a Plan D! There is nothing as satisfying as coming through the little challanges, to the other side, where we are now. It was all worth it and the feedback is icing on the cake!!!

Mike and Larafan said it all.
I'm speachless! All this time, I've been making posts and sending emails saying "SOON! Trust me, it's worth the wait". I'll admitt, I thought I'd reach the end of a lot of people's patients. I'm so glad to finally hear you folks now saying "It was worth the wait!!"

It's funny, I can still remember the night Larafan pitched his "Lara" story to me and Tamra just after the release of GOS, back in 2002. Yes, folks, that's how THE AWAKENING happened. "For the fans, by the fans"
And, I remember the day I pitched it to Mike. It was the last day of the first Las Vegas Indie Meet in 2004. After meeting Mike a few weeks earlier, he invited me, and showcased GOS as one of the indie films to be presented. And rest.... Well, you know.

bully_pup -- Kelly

More than worth the wait. Worth a sequel, as I said at a screening last fall. But I know you have other irons in the fire.....

With all the praising this film's getting, I think I'll be plopping down some scratch to get me a copy. Any plans for a bionic woman type film? Kind of off topic, I'm sorry. Though I haven't seen it yet, I'd like to thank those involoved for creating this for the fans.

Thanks, Brantley and Yars!


RATE IT!!!

Here's a pretty funny review, from critic, David Cornelius. He's pretty cool, but his reviews are tough. He really should have mentioned Erik, who dreamt up this story, but at least he's listed under the top margin credits.

At the bottom of the review, you can VOTE. If you have already seen the movie, go ahead and rate it. Here's the link:

www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=14513&reviewer=392


Mike

In contrast to the last reviewer, this guy, Duane, reviews JUST indie movies, so he was extremely positive:

www.roguecinema.com/article-578--0-0.html

I just wanted to say that I saw the Awakening movie this morning and I thought it was just fantastic.

Not only was the story extremely gripping, but the effects were awesome and Lara looked amazing in her costume!

Hats off to you guys, and dare I say that we look forward to plenty more in the future!!

Jon

Hello.

This is probably for David / Mike.

I could not find a contact us link on the movie website. Anyway, just wanted to ask, is the price still $23.95 + $2.50 if shipping to a capital city in Australia.

Thanks.

JonX, thanks for that feedback. Did you rate it at efilmcritic? You can actually up the user rating, by voting:

www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=14513&reviewer=392

just wanted to ask, is the price still $23.95 + $2.50 if shipping to a capital city in Australia.

Yes, the price is still the same.

David - done that. Gave it 5 stars as I honestly think it deserves. As someone else said in their review, this has to be one of the best amateur superheroine films that I've seen.

Again, well done... and can we expect more in the future??

can we expect more in the future??

Even if there isn't a direct sequel, Kelly always has something up his sleeve.

Ok, so I finally got around to watching this. I've had my copy for at least a month, but I've been busy.

I've got to say I was truly impressed. The special fx were better than I anticipated, there was much more of a truly interesting plot than I expected, and, of course, the ladies (both of them) were great! All in all, I was expecting a mediore B movie, and I was pleasantly surprised. Kudos all around. I just went on that review site listed above and gave it 5 stars.

I do have one specific comment that I want to make, but I think I'll start a new spoiler thread for that.

YAGS