Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn

Na

I picked this movie up from a Red Box because I was bored and wanted something to watch that I haven't seen before. This movie was near the bottom of my list of things to watch because I am not a fan of the Halo games, so I didn't really hold out much hope for the movie. I expected it to be basically like Starship Troopers (which was a great book that got turned into a disappointing movie) and I did not have high expectation for it at all.To my great surprise this movie is excellent. It is far closer to Enders Game than Starship Troopers, and the movie shines because of it. The majority of the movie follows a group of cadets (probably aged around 13-16) who are the children of the military elite as they progress through military school. I am guessing that this all deals with the "lore" of the Halo series and technically takes place before the first game, because it didn't have anything to do with the video game I remember playing (which to me is a huge plus). Instead of fighting aliens the children are learning how to fight "Insurrectionists", a group who's purpose is never explained but left enticingly nebulous. The 10 or so minutes of the movie that did include the main character from the games (Master Chief) were the least interesting portions of the movie but didn't do enough to make me drop down to 4 stars.This was a wonderfully written movie, good dialogue, good coming of age themes, dystopian overtones, it is well paced (something many big budget theater release movies can't seem to get right), well acted (which is a accomplishment considering that 90% of the cast are teens), and engaging.If you are a fan of Halo then I can't really advise you if you will enjoy this. If you are like me and are either not a fan or are ambivalent about Halo as a franchise but enjoy things like Enders Game or Old Mans War then do yourself a favor and pick this movie up. You will be pleasantly surprised.

I don't know why this movie got so many negative reviews. I, personally, LOVE this movie! My mom is in her late 50s, knows nothing about the Halo universe and has managed only in shooting clouds and her own feet in Combat Evolved, and she loves this movie! (I only had to pause a few times to explain random things; like what the 'tall, skyscraper thingy' is. LOL) My brother, who has only played Reach and is 'intimidated' when he watches me play the first games, fell in love with this movie as well! Both of them had the same reaction when John-117 (Master Chief) came onscreen, and the only negative thing they had to say was that he should have been in it for more than just the final half hour. Overall, if I could give this movie any higher a rating, I would do so.I hope to see more positive reviews for this movie. To me, I never once thought that it started slow. I love getting to know Lasky (who appears in Halo 4 & 5!), and the rest of Hastati Squad. I was intrigued by Lasky's personal development (in the beginning, he speaks out against the war and cannot envision himself as a soldier; yet after the loss of his friend--or girlfriend, if you will--he begins to see himself as a soldier at last); this last bit being driven home at the end when Master Chief addresses him as "soldier".Now I'm going to finish this review with a little twist for all you non-Halo-playing peeps out there: Master Chief (and the rest of Blue Team) are only 15 years old in this movie! XD

I was not expecting a "history" for Commander Laskey so expected much more action; That said once you realize or accept that this is his history prior to the events of the game(s), for me that turned it into a pretty good movie. Gotta admit, about 55 minutes in I was ready to shut it off - glad I didn't. Oh, and this might be a spoiler alert for anyone who doesn't / hasn't played the games; Cadet Laskey had 4+ years to earn his promotions to Commander. (Navy folks and vets; remember this is in the 26th century and things have changed - I identified Laskey's rank as Lt. Commander in current time.)

.

I don't think I've ever given something 5 stars but I did for this. It deserves 5 stars not because it is a perfect experience but because of what it has accomplished.With a small budget, 343i was able to pull off a well told and exciting live action movie in the Halo universe. This is not some fan service that only the Halo devotees can enjoy, this a great movie with great acting, a compelling narrative and solid action.Forward Unto Dawn follows a group of cadets in a top tier military academy, particularly Private Lasky (who we see in Halo 4). Lasky brings to the forefront some major themes of the Halo-verse that have only seen much consideration in some of the books. The uncertainty of war, the complication of the civil war preceding the Covenant-Human war and the fear and bravery that accompany any conflict.It's very exciting to see the Covenant War begin and get to see how frightening it was to all of the personnel and troops who weren't Spartans. The Covenant are mysterious, scary and portrayed in a visceral way.And of course, we get the larger-than-life awesomeness of seeing a real life master chief in action.Don't write this off as something only for the hardcore Halo fans, this is a film that a casual fan, or even just a movie fan, can enjoy.Great action, great characters and great story, all done with a tiny budget that never feels tiny.