JDR Revival

NOTE: This review contains NO SPOILERS so you can safely read it if you have not seen the movie

Every once in a rare while there comes along a movie that is impossible to classify yet impossible not to love. JDR Revival is one of those movies. Never has such a quality movie been produced in such a short amount of time (maybe REDUX but I'm not quite sure) but either way its one hell of an achievement for someone who's not that well known in the community.

Beginning where JDR Revolutions left off we find our hero Dan searching for his archnemesis Boundless Ben who will stop at nothing to ensure that the world is rid once and for all of the troublesome trio that is JDR (though he did away with Jeff and Rory in the previous installement). The chemistry build up around Dan and Ben's hatred of each other is comical and fun to watch as the beginning of the movie shows. Though some sections in the beginning of the movie start out slow (mostly due to the lack of music) it quickly progresses into a fast paced action romp that its predecessor was infamous for. In the process we are introduced to Witty Waumsley, a whimsical knowitall that guides Dan's little team in his search for our antagonist.

It is also here where Dan Martin's obvious expertise with the program come into play. The way he handles fighting styles and explosions and all that good stuff is only rivaled by Aaron Haynes. The animation here is so fluent and carefree it really makes you wonder how skilled one has to be in order to master something like it. One of the other things that shows throughout this movie is the way Martin handles default character motion. The way the characters run, jump, fly, and do all sorts of crazy things in his own little world is seemless and definitely worthy of being noticed. Of course all this is done so well that it allows the viewer to do something that most 3D movies have a hard time doing: just plain enjoying the movie.

This movie also encompasses a plot that is fairly enjoyable as well. With Boundless Ben discovering his ultimate secret weapon (cause ya know every bad guy's gotta have one) called Beurine he seems more powerful than even our hero Dan can imagine. So of course these leads to the old problem of how is Dan gonna find a way to defeat him then. Well it turns out that where violence isn't key (though its damn fun to watch) wit is in the final showdown that puts all other final showdowns to shame. The story might seem a bit linear when you're watching it but if you've already see JDR Revolutions you already know kinda what to expect.

Another aspect of the JDR movies that might be suprising considering its PAM heritage is the amount of comedy that is packed into it. I actually laughed quite alot during this movie. Dan Martin has managed to create some memorable scenes in here that use some of the best parodies of cliches I've ever seen. Alot of this also is due in credit to the great voice acting done in this movie. Jon Barton, Justin Wa....yeah, Mike Belfance and Jaymond are all fantastic in their deliveries and just the way they do their character. Jaymond does an especially great job as Witty Waumsley and some of the punchlines he delivers are just great.

The music in Revival was well choosen, though some patches of the movie could've used some more of it. Alot of Maltbyish type stuff but for the type of movie it was my god did it work. Sound was covered in about the same manner, not missing a beat with anything and giving the animations all the sound it needed to compliment the constant action and gun fire and such.

Overall JDR Revival is one of those movies you have to see. Clocking in at about 45 minutes this movie doesn't slow down at all, even at those "necessary boring briefing scenes". The excellent balance of comedy, action and fantasy really make this movie a truely unique gem. A highly recommended download and the first recipient of my official OMG BONER1 award:



Congrats, Dan!

9.6/10