Battle For SkyArk (2016)

Battle for SkyArk: a movie with no battle for the aforementioned Ark. All we get are a handful of kid bums with laughable weaponry, pitted against unconvincing "monsters" who could die... of laughter when they see the so-called weapons. The whole movie drags through, the one massive monster is yet another take on the guy-turned-giant-monster- with-mask-and giant-weapon we've seen hundreds of times, from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome to the Resident Evil and Silent Hill movies/games franchise. No development at all, just kids scurrying through what seems to be a huge junkyard. I had few hopes, considering the score given by other viewers, but I didn't think it'd be such a sad sight. The kids do what they can, I won't throw them the stones, they're all very young actors. Whoever made the movie though, should consider a change of career and run said junkyard instead. At least, they'd get an honest pay for piles of rubbish.

So I wasn't super excited to see this movie, mainly because it seemed like it would be rather commonplace. What I found though was that, even though the acting wasn't amazing, the story wasn't grade A, over all this was a pretty fun little scifi. It was a lot more entertaining than some of the dull big budget stuff out there today.I could certainly have enjoyed a little more budget, and perhaps a few Special Affects added in, but ultimately it is a pretty good job considering what they were working with.I would actually like to see what the director and writers could do with a bigger budget and more talent. I mean the kids did great, but someone like Depp, or Patrick Strewart

For those who have seen or played Japanese video games, Battle for Skyark would be awfully familiar. It closely follows the aspects of role playing game, from the brooding teenage boy who is destined to save the world, intricate yet impractical costumes, cheesy one-liner and stereotypical one dimensional characters with outlandish hairdo. I was seriously having flashback of childhood memories when watching the movie, unfortunately it does not even remotely create the same fond memory it's inspired from.If one searches the image of Final Fantasy or any other Japanese RPG, it should show a character similar to Rag, the main protagonist. Rag is destined for greatness as a savior. He must journey to fulfill this prophecy, meeting new allies and defeating monsters along the way. The movie is, in the very sense, a live action inspired by anime or video game. It borrows so heavily till the point of cringe-worthy.Most fantasy games have excellent visual and incredible CGI, this is not so in this case. Battle for Skyark is frankly a low budget flick. It tries to deliver the style with the same complicated outfits and extraordinary hairdo, but it's trapped with typical tedious scenes with little coherency. The monsters and setting seem very uninspiring as it only shows bits of special effects, these are too few to create any convincing atmosphere.Sadly, this formulaic "teen saves the world" gimmick was already dull in Japanese fifteen years ago. Using same artificial rigid characters, like the stern companion or silly sidekick, can feel very monotonous. The screenplay doesn't work well either, often glossing over details or stutters slowly in the middle. The dialogues are corny, they might work on games or animations, but given the real life interpretation, they feel bizarre at best. Lastly, narrative doesn't clearly explain nor does it conclude in satisfying manner.I wanted this movie to work, maybe due to sentiment or nostalgia. However, in all honesty Battle for Skyark might copy the look of characters, but the plot, setting and overall atmosphere merely produce a lackluster movie.

Firstly, create a new category: "Sci-FRid" (Science - "F"ing Ridiculous). Secondly, "Rags"? . . . (Scriptwriters please review your meds {sic}or better still go heavier on the illegal substances. Think - is this movie set in the future or the 1980's?) Thirdly, what are the chances for "sky-arkies" becoming the new "trekkies"? OK, finally my keyword recommendations are: "Sci-FRid" (already explained) "Out-of-this- World" (nothing to do with the plot, just where we should send the scriptwriters); and, "Black-Listed" (the only way this movie will attract a default audience).2 outa {sic} 10 "I know I should not watch this, but rebellion is my compulsion fixes".