OUR WORLD

The inevitable result of messing around on 3D Movie Maker while friends are over: an aimless, plot-free series of less-than-adventures based in nothing more than whatever felt most interesting at that particular moment. I used to think JDR Revolutions was as random as you could get without completely losing the audience, but now I know I was wrong -- Our World strings together a series of half-realized ideas and plot developments borrowed largely from LucasArts adventure games, the director's life, and just general weirdness as a group of kids appear and disappear from the story at wherever seems most fitting for them to be there or not to be there.

Why am I reviewing this movie? I don't know, honestly. This is one of the 'early effort' types of 3DMM films that teeters on the line between an obvious initial outing with the program and an actual attempt at cohesive entertainment. As an early effort, it's suprisingly well done. As a real attempt, there's a long way to go. That said, the premise is sort of engaging and I started to be moderately entertained as it went on.

The weirdest part about Our World is that I can't tell if it's playing self-parody or if it's just unintentionally funny. Comparisons to JDR arise because the cliches are SO obvious that they're heightened to a level of surrealism and start being humorous rather than frustrating. Watch Tony's character jumping up and down in the kitchen even as he replies to Drew's comments, never even turning around. Look at the way Robert just stands absolutely still throughout the VGN parody, as Tony tries to crawl through the broken glass of the TV screen. If Compcat's intention was to present a group of some of the stupidest people alive, he clearly succeeds, because Our World IS funny in a distant, parody-driven way. You can't give it full points for cleverness, but it's the kind of enjoyment where a 10-year-old cracks one of the funniest jokes you've ever heard, even though on some level you don't think they quite get why it's funny.

Technical aspects: Think 1998. The less said about the animation or scenery design, the better. But that will evolve in time. Give Compcat a script and a reason to make things happen and I think his work here would improve considerably. It's all midis and no voices, which further pushes the LucasArts adventure game aspect of it. And while it gradually gets more entertaining, the first few minutes are insanely boring.

Ultimately, this is the kind of movie you shut off your brain for, sit back in your chair, and register in a semi-conscious sort of way. Heavy eyelids and a wandering attention span filter out the poor pacing and aimlessness of the film, letting in just the mildly entertaining parts. It's kind of an underground hit in the way its C-movie quality makes you grin. If JDR featured a bigger cast, no villain, Jeff Ching-level animation, and took a lot of hydrocodone, it might look something like this. I can't really recommend Our World in a serious way, but I must admit I was entertained. Hey, any movie that ends with a Life of Brian reference, no matter how blatant, can't be all bad.

Critical Score: 30/100.
Personal Score: 40/100.

[Aaron Haynes]

I found the movie while digging through the archives, I remembered that I'd reviewed it three years ago, and I found it surprisingly easily on lockntoad.com.

I am sorry.

[Scarecrow]

Review Exceptions you poop.

[Compcat]

This review meant a lot to me back then.

[Compcat]

Thank god for Aaron Haynes. I'm not sure that I'd still be here if not for this review.

[Trooper]

Ah, we know who to blame then.