The Big Movie

I vaguely remember Aaron Haynes making a thread a few years ago, criticizing the nature of chain movies and competitions, and I quote: "You'd think they could come up with something better than the 'randomness is awesome and unconditionally funny' garbage that has appeared in every single chain movie since the beginning of time". Normally I would have agreed; chain movies are usually only entertaining for the people involved, and rarely for the actual audience. Yet here we are, three and a half years later, with Aaron Haynes fronting the "biggest, bestest goddamn joke movie you [the community] ever made". Time seems to have changed his view, and, after watching this, maybe mine too.

The Big Movie is basically a compilation of joke movies made by the community, based on different premises such as whenever the knight looks at someone, they fly up in the air, and whenever Timothy says "boo!", a totem is called up from the ground, and so on. A total of 127 entries made by 28 different people are included, and organized in such a way that the premises come across quick and easy. In fact, the whole thing flows remarkably well considering the amount of entries, and I can only imagine what a nightmare it must have been trying to figure out the best way to arrange them all.

The entries themselves vary a lot in quality. With so namy directors involved, some entries are bound to be better than others in a project like this. I would say that for each good one, there is at least three that I do not find particularly funny nor interesting. The Moments Earlier-skits quickly pop up in my mind, as well as certain entries for the Alphabet. Others simply do not meet up with their potential. This may sound like a substantial amount, and I will admit that it deducts from the overall experience. On the good side, most of them only last for a few seconds, and once you get to the good bits, you will soon be forgetting about the bad ones. At least for a while.

Because there really are a lot of great entries in this. Granted a lot of them go for a 'silly, but funny' approach, but some of them also try to do a clever spin on the premises. The best, of course, combine both. Letters O and Z probably give me the biggest laughs, while HMC's entries definitely are the most visually pleasing. The references to 3DMM movie classics are a nice touch, and something I wouldn't mind seeing more of. Other favorites include the Test Subject: Charlie-skits, Stabby Joe's Knight TV and Dundarundun Kung fu by Michael Sandford. Obviously it is much easier to enjoy the entries where it's apparent that the creators have put a lot of effort into them.

The whole thing ends with an explosive finale where all the premises come together put together by Mr. Haynes himself. As we all know, he is not known for holding one's fire when it comes to things like this, and I honestly can't think of a better way to end this nearly 40 minutes long show.

What strikes me the most though is undoubtedly how well The Big Movie is presented. Haynes really nails the mood with his opening skit, The Atmosphere. As the introduction titles start, you immediately know that you are in for a lot of fun, with the theme from Klaymen being a perfect choice of music. Even the credits have been given much thought, with screenshots of each entry linked to the creator's name. It is very apparent that a lot of work went into this. HMC also deserves all the credit he can get for creating all the beautiful artwork of the 3DMM characters. Good job.

The neat presentation, all the references to old classics - everything underlines the fact that this is first and foremost a community movie - and a very successful one too. Some of the entries could arguably have been cut out and made for an even tighter experience, but on the whole it is very difficult not to have fun while watching this. I may still be sceptical towards the nature of chain movies, but The Big Movie proves that they can be done well as long as you have the right organizer(s) and a community full of ideas.

Originally posted on IN THE SPOTLIGHT

[Lord Cardigan]

great film...but a really bad title...couldn't you have chosen something more interesting...

[Aaron Haynes]

I was calling it "the big movie" during the weeks leading up to it, since it didn't have a title yet. The joke was, that was its actual title when it finally came out.

[Cubert]

hey i had a lot of fun though
we should do this again sometime
* call me sign *

[Aaron Haynes]

We will. Very soon.

[Kionokun]

my little brother tried to do somtin like that...and he called his movie 3D movie maker on crack

[Sam Hughes]

Hahaha what a wild sense of humour your brother has!

[Kionokun]

lol