YouTube has allowed the visions of creative people that in the past would not have seen the light of day to reach the world. It is the People’s Theatre. Presented here are three science-fiction shorts from a varied group of creators.
Enjoy!
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Hybrids
- Written and Directed by Patrick Kalyn
- December 19, 2015
After her daughter is killed, a woman seeks revenge during an alien invasion.
The first thing that jumps out at me about Hybrids is that it looks like a short for a proposed larger film. It is a relatively standalone narrative, but I cannot shake the feeling Patrick Kalyn put this forth to get the ball rolling on what he really wanted to do. They pack as much narrative as they can into this, but there’s much more ground that could be covered after the short.
The title seems to refer to a genetic trait the aliens believe human children have that fades by adulthood and thus they are examining children in the most brutal and public way possible in their search for it. Why they need to find it is not explained-especially since they already know what they are looking for. Why search if you already know?
One thing that bothers me in general in science-fiction films is when the monster looking aliens roar and growl with no implication of language yet have sophisticated weapons. I don’t need an actual language created. It just needs to sound like a language. Heck if you want actual dialogue, just distort real words. Animal noises are a lazy way to communicate alien nature.
The action is pretty well choreographed. It is exciting and definitely has a professional sheen to it. In that department they knew what they were doing. Occasionally the CGI looks like, well, CGI. It doesn’t mesh too well with the live action in some of the action moments. And I’m 90% sure some of that alien blood is CGI. At least the stuff that squirts when our hero is gratuitously stabbing.
Ultimately, though Hybrids mines a good chunk out of its basic premise. It’s exciting and has some emotion to it and is an enjoyable watch that will leave you wanting more. I recommend this one.
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Remnant
- Directed by Andrew Wong
- December 30, 2015
After a war that devastated the Earth a lone soldier searches for power sources for his mech.
Remnant is an extremely quick story. In fact I might not use ‘story’ to describe it. This is better described as a segment of a larger narrative. What you are shown here is some dude walking around a deserted area in a beat-up mech. He encounters another one and there’s a big shoot out and uses the last of his resources to take out the other one. Pretty much the whole story.
For what it is, it’s not bad. It’s good looking and it’s entertaining. This was clearly the director trying to show any studio executive watching what he can do and he did a modestly good job. The major beef I and others have is that while evading the enemy our hero crosses the line of fire and does not get hit. Really? Otherwise it is a well done clip.
Remnant is a short bit of entertaining action. Short on story but good. Check it out.
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Sol 87
- Directed by Justin Kruse
- April 29, 2017
While mapping Mars an astronaut comes into contact with its darker side.
Sol 87 is a short little 10 minutes that’s exceptionally well produced and entertaining. While nothing groundbreaking it certainly handles its elements very well. The scenario is quickly set up in a way that is smoother and much more efficient than in longer works.
This is just about a strange alien monster. If this were a longer film that might be an issue, but this is a short 10 minutes meant to entertain and it does that. Sol 87 while complete unto itself feels as if it could be the opener to something greater. This could be the setup to a monster movie yet more is not necessary.
Sol 87 is a short thriller and it does thrill. It stands on its own, but it also feels like it’s something much greater which doesn’t hurt it. I recommend this.
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Presented here were three shorts. While none were perfect, each entertained.
Warren Watched A Movie 