Plasmarift's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[Alien: MONDAY]

The animation is okay and it's obvious work went into this, but I honestly didn't enjoy it much (spoilers ahead):
- The movements in the animation feels robotic in some parts or I should say not fluid enough. I'm not sure why it feels that way though. I don't know if it is because they're not quick enough at times (like where the alien jumps up into the vents for the first time. It reminded me of CGI movements), or the movements too stiff (like her walking into the kitchen) or if it's because the speed at which the movement happens is too uniform; there's no jerky movements or drastic changes in speed in little moments. For example, take the main character putting on her boots; everything from her stepping out of the pod, to sitting down, to putting on her boots feels like the exact same speed when you could have had it where she sat back hard or, once the boot was on, she dropped her foot down to the floor.
- It's just the movie Alien, but in an anime style. Yes, I know the plot points and setting aren't the same yet when you're doing something that closely mirrors something else, you either need to take it in a different direction or do an even better job than the original, otherwise it comes across as just a bog standard homage when it could have been a lot more.
- I feel like portions of the animation could have been removed. At the part where the main character wakes up and says she hates Mondays, it could have cut to her in the kitchen. I could be completely off on this point, but it's also clear that moments like these aren't plot relevant and it wasn't interesting (the only thing you could say is it acted as build up for the interesting parts though there might have been better ways of doing this).
- The alien honestly wasn't that intimidating, which I think goes back to the movement thing I mentioned before. Maybe some more sound effects or different camera angles could have helped, where only parts of the alien are on the screen sometimes, building suspense.
- The voice acting and sound effects are probably the best part. They were very well done.
- I guess my last criticism is the plot, most of which is pretty good. Depressurizing parts of the ship is definitely the plan of action I would have taken if there were no security systems for dealing with intruders. Most of the actions taken make sense except for a few glaring ones: wouldn't the ai computer have a built-in security system for detecting unknown life forms or at the very least inform the crew if it detected some? As soon as she saw it enter the vents, you'd figure she'd immediately be wary of the one in her room. Do they not have weapons onboard? When jumping, how did she know she'd land on the driller and not float out into space?

Overall, it is a good effort, but it didn't make me feel much of anything except possible fear of a jumpscare (thank you for not doing that by the way. I think they're cheap). I wish you luck in your future projects.

[Gordon Ramsay BAFFLED by Restaurant AMATEURS]

I'm extremely impressed.
- Coming into this, I don't think I had seen any of your other works so this was my first introduction to Mike and Zack and, while watching, I thought "these guys could have their own sitcom". You made it so they both have different personalities, but instead of having them constantly butting heads over this (which could become frustrating, awkward, or tired out, especially if not done right), you have them reacting to Ramsey and the situation mostly instead, kind of like their friendship is established in-spite of their vast differences (I probably didn't explain this well; I just thought it was a good dynamic).
- You almost always have something interesting or funny happening on screen, which is something I feel other comedy animations can end up lacking (I've rewatched this more than once and caught details I missed the first time, like Ramsey just standing in the yard overnight, staring blankly). It also moves at a great pace; not frantic and not too slow.
- Great art, sound effects, music, and voice acting.
- The only part that lost me (at first) was when Ramsey asked where Zack was and Mike said he was in the closet. When Ramsey said "He can knob whoever he wants", I thought he was implying Zack was doing someone in there, not that he was gay, so the joke about him being gay later on didn't land. Also, I don't get the "I paid Stuart" part.

If you guys ever need voice actor for your stuff, let me know! I wish you well in your future projects!

[Hearse of Strahd]

Despite the monologue not being groundbreakingly new, I very much enjoyed it; that vampire has a way of words (and the voice performance was both fitting for a vampire and well performed, you little shit). The face of the vampire and his posture were perfect and the generic looking knight at the beginning was great for absorbing that monologue. The music and sound were good as well. Though my favorite part by far was the bingo card. I got multiple laughs from reading it (despite not knowing all the references or understanding all of it).

Overall, a great animation. I hope to see more from you, you little shit.

[Flossing Mishap]

Amazing that the guy both flosses and brushes incorrectly.

The animation made me visually cringe in fear and disgust, which is saying something (I thought I'd been thoroughly desensitized to horrifying stimulus, save for jump scares). The art style rides the line between cartoonish and realism, which is perfect for this type of animation. Sound effects were fitting and poignant (I'd actually be interested to know where you found them or how you made them).

As for what actually happened, I knew something horrifying was going to happen, but I was not expecting that, so your surprise was well done (and the undulating was unsettling). Also, nice mask at the beginning.

I wish I could say more, but I'd just be rambling at that point. Very good job!

[Despair]

I can tell you've still got that touch when, after having been away from your content for a while, I finish the video and think "what the fudge did I just watch?"

The cat girl threw me though. Since when did anime characters exist in the Sexual Universe? Is she single?

I guess the only suggestion would've been to make the email part a tad longer. Nyan

[pizza guide.]

There is so much I liked about this animation!

**Spoilers ahead**

From Willard straight up stealing a pizza shop to make a pizza to his methodical movements, nearly every moment in the animation has something interesting going on, even him just adding ingredients (I especially liked how he fell out of the can at the beginning and him falling backward while putting in salt and something else. Second only to him shooting the creature so many times). The silliness was outstanding, yet it stayed focused on the mission of making the pizza and you weren't afraid to get pretty dark with it.

The quick progression segments of the animation are a major plus in my book. Most of it strikes a good balance between staying just long enough to where you can tell what's going on and not lingering long enough to get boring. You could say it has a natural flow at times (those were probably my favorite parts, especially the attempts at cooking part). It was also good of you to break this flow (like the basement part) as this keeps it from getting stale (though I have to say it stayed a little too long on the basement, specifically the cockroach part).

Also, thanks for getting straight to the point at the beginning. Some might have had a character stumble across a pizza recipe in a cook book while looking through it, have a moment that zooms in on the picture of the pizza with angelic background noises, and then cuts to the character trying to make it. Willard knew exactly what he was going to do from the beginning, no lead up needed.

Out of all of it, Willard shined the brightest (as he should being the star). His expressionless and near sociopathic behavior were awesome (I can't imagine I'd ever say that about a person in real life, but that's beside the point).

For suggestions, while all the things that happened after falling back to Earth were interesting, I think some of them could have been funnier. For example, maybe after the pinball affect with the buildings, have the building on the right blink "New High Score" in the windows or something. Or for the plane part, have Willard almost hit a bird, miss, and then the bird gets sucked into the engine of the plane. Just some ideas; not sure how good they are. I did like the bad stand up comedy part and the resolution of the black creature.

Overall, excellent work! You've got skills, sir!

WillardWorm responds:

this was a wonderful critique. thank you very much!

[Fashion Police 2; Censor the Planet]

I'd definitely suggest bumping up the sound more (I had my sound up all the way and it was still kind of quiet) and balancing out the audio (some voices came across as louder and quieter than others, especially during conversational parts). As for the animation, it's unique I'll give it that. I was happy to be a part of this project. I wish you luck in your next endeavor!

DextaGethood responds:

Thanks! Sound mixing is my biggest weakness but finding a cheap sound mixer isn't easy either. But thanks for your feedback

[The Dark Harvest - Episode 1]

I thought the quality of the animation and the voice acting were great. The music was also good and fitting for the scenes it was included in. The story was good as well, however, I found the fact that most of the dialogue was "What's going on?" "Shhhh" to be annoying; in the time it took him to keep telling her he couldn't tell her, he could have told her 10 times (she's part of a grim reaper cult basically). It felt like you made it so he couldn't tell her just to keep some mystery involved in the story. If you want mystery included, you need to set it up and have it make sense and not have it be because "I can't tell you because it would make the story less cool". Also, why was she shocked that something happened in a room that had crime tape covering it? Other than that, I look forward to the next installment of the series. Good luck!

[Raw Latex 4]

This is awesome. How did I miss this for so long? Five days of my life wasted...

All brooding aside, I am glad you continued this series. I can honestly say there isn't much else like it. Good luck!

[Avatar: Last Hairbender]

I can see why it's one of your favorite animations... it's awesome! (except for the joke about Korra. Just kind of cold) I came into this with somewhat low expectations for some reason, but was blown away by the comedy (or maybe I just have a weird hair fetish or something). I especially like your opening with your username on it (reminds me of some professional movie company or something). The voicing, music, sound effects, animation (unique and with added cartooniness here and there. That might not be a word), nearly all of the writing is great (don't really get the kindergartner comeback joke) and the drawing at the end are great! Nothing really comes to mind to improve though I hope you'll keep pushing the boundaries on this kind of stuff. Give my regards to SilverPoyozo and I look forward to your next animation.

WooleyWorld responds:

Haha. He'll be glad to hear people liked his work. You should find that intro professional.... its ripoff from the old United Artists intro from way back. I do intend to push the elements of my animations and keep the boundaries ever extended. :p