Tag Archives: review

Review: Guru of Chai

Posted by faithashw in Review, Theatre and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

My week was made that bit more extraordinary when I was treated to a trip to India.  The amazing thing about this statement is I never actually physically went but such is the magic that I experienced at the opening night of Guru of Chai.

After getting over the fact that the Rangatira at Q had magically transformed itself AGAIN, I got settled into my seat and was fully expecting to immerse myself in a very good play.  What I experienced was so much more than that. From the minute Jacob Rajan and his right hand man, David Ward took the stage I was completely enthralled and entertained.

Guru of Chai is an engaging and compelling tale about a humble chaiwallah and how seven abandoned sisters appearing at his chai stand proceeded to change his life forever. Delivered in the first person, the charming and jovial tea seller welcomes us into his world, inviting us to embark on the journey with him.

The play involves a rich tapestry of creative storytelling, colorful sound, a little bit of magic, clever shadow play and even a spot of puppetry.  Whether intentional or not, it certainly challenges the boundaries and any preconceived notions you may have had on what defines a stage production.

The most impressive thing about this play is Jacob’s outstanding performance.  What I didn’t know going in was that this play was essentially a cast of one.  Apart from playing the titular character, Jacob also effortlessly embodies every single other character that appears in the story.

The way in which he skillfully transitions between the different personas just blew my mind.  Every character is fully realized with their own individual personality, distinct voice, set of mannerisms, and even differing postures.  This “skillful schizophrenia” is truly a work of art – Jacob is undeniably an extremely talented and gifted character actor with great stage presence.

Between Jacob’s charismatic showmanship, array of props at his disposal and the colorful set, the play is definitely visually mesmerizing.  However I must stress that the production is just as impressive to hear as it is to see.

Employing an eclectic blend of banjo-playing (tuned to sound like a sitar), haunting songs and innovative sound effects (from an electronic drum machine to a simple plastic bag), David is the ultimate human prop.  His musical accompaniment complements the narrative perfectly – be it helping to affect tone or to increase tension – elevating and giving the production another texture to the story.

Superb theatrics and spectacle aside, the hero of this play is the story itself.  The script is incredibly dynamic and the multi-layered narrative is superbly written, weaving together a good dose of  humor, elements of culture and just the right amount of drama and action.  To me, a good story is one that entertains, speaks to the heart and resonates and this could not ring truer with Guru of Chai.  The story is unpretentious and honest and just keeps you wanting more.

I cannot recommend Guru of Chai enough.  It is a theatrical masterpiece that is heartwarming, captivating and surprisingly insightful. It is a story about a single man, but it is also a story about life, love and loss.  This is truly a unique experience that everyone should not miss out on!

Thank you, Indian Ink, for this absolutely phenomenal piece of theatre that I will not soon forget – I can’t wait to see Krishnan’s Dairy next!

The Whimsical Banana rates Guru of Chai: 5/5 bananas!

Guru of Chai is playing at my favorite performing arts space, the stunning Q Theatre, until July 21st.  For more information and to book tickets, click HERE.

This review is also featured on the Q Theatre website.

TRIBES: Stop Arguing. Start Talking.

Posted by faithashw in Review, Theatre and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

Anyone who thought they had a dysfunctional family will eat their words once they see TRIBES.

Written brilliantly by Nina Raine and performed by a mere cast of six under the excellent direction of Shane Bosher, TRIBES is a compelling and poignant play that will change your perspective on what it really means to communicate.

Billy’s family are eccentric, egotistical and bring dysfunction to a whole new level.  As soon as the lights come on what starts off as a seemingly normal family dinner quickly turns into a heated family feud – brother is arguing with father, sister is harassing brother, mother is yelling at father…it’s probably not even in that order, the point is everyone is bickering with someone.

We soon find out that this is perfectly normal behavior in this household.  There is one member of the family though that is a quiet spectator to this chaos – Billy.  Born deaf, he has learned to adapt exceptionally well to his family’s many idiosyncrasies and quarrelsome ways.  Billy skillfully lip reads and was taught how to speak because Billy’s parents did not want him to be defined by his inability to hear and wanted to give him as normal an upbringing as possible.

The family are clearly very set in their ways but their bubble of complacency is popped when Sylvia comes into the picture.  She encourages Billy to embrace the deaf community and this opens up a whole new world to him, one he had not known existed.  One his family had inadvertently sheltered him from.  He learns sign language to better communicate with Sylvia and eventually instills a vow of silence towards his family until they learn to sign too.

Like a fly on the wall, we watch on as this family unravels and come to grips with Billy’s new attitude towards being deaf.  The journey is far from a smooth one as Billy struggles to be heard and understood in a household where people rarely listen.

TRIBES is simply superb and an absolute triumph.  There will be plenty of funny moments that will have you laughing but there will also be the times of heartbreak where you may shed a tear or two (I know I did!).  It is highly engaging, incredibly entertaining and delivers a powerful and inspiring message about family, love and life.  The narrative is paced well and flows seamlessly from scene to scene; I also loved the way the set was utilized and the way music and select subtitles were used to drive the story.

I was completely blown away by the cast who were all just outstanding!  Leon Wadham impressed me the most; his heartfelt and very believable portrayal of Billy was remarkable and so moving.  Emmett Skilton (Daniel) and Jodie Hillock (Sylvia) were other standouts for me; they captured the heart of their characters perfectly and delivered such excellent and emotive performances.

While they were all fantastic individually, it is the scenes where everyone was on stage together where I felt the magic really happened.  The cast have an undeniable chemistry with each other which is evident in the way they effortlessly play off one another, particularly during the many arguments that take place.

There is still time to see this fantastic Silo Theatre production and I strongly recommend that you do because it is an unmissable experience!

The Whimsical Banana rates TRIBES: 5/5 bananas!

Engaging, thought-provoking and just bloody brilliant!

TRIBES is playing at the Maidment Theatre until the 30th of June.  For more information and to purchase tickets, go HERE.

Comedy Fest 2012 Review: The Boy with Tape on his Face in More Tape

Posted by faithashw in Comedy, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

 

I first saw The Boy with Tape on his Face as part of a ten-act show at The Classic seven years ago and ever since then he has been a favorite of mine.  I even got picked by The Boy to help out on stage which was slightly terrifying at first but then turned out to be a really cool experience and something I will always look fondly back on!

I must mention that I only recently found out that that was actually his first stage show which meant I was his first ever volunteer – how special am I?!  But I digress…

These days The Boy is more than capable of holding his own and is perfectly happy having the stage all to himself along with his trusty satchel of tricks, box of props and of course, the all important tape.  I was privileged enough to be invited by The Boy to attend his opening night of the Auckland season and WOW, what an incredible show!  So much fun, so many laughs and an epic soundtrack to go with it all!

His new show, More Tape, is full of toys, props and is a mad and whimsical mix of vaudeville, mime and even puppetry.  What I especially enjoyed was the incorporation of the music to the set and how it provided an additional element of comedy to the performance.  Another integral part of the show is The Boy enlisting help from various handpicked members of the audience – you are even forewarned from the get go that participation is compulsory…unless you want to look like a cock!

Sam Wills, the man behind The Boy is truly a world class act with numerous awards under his belt (more likely in his satchel!).  He is also the first New Zealand comedian to be a part of the Royal Variety Performance in the UK.  He will soon be preparing to perform a month-long season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the world.  Accolades and achievements aside, he also happens to be a very lovely person!

I think the thing that makes The Boy so special is that he has truly defied the conventions of stand up comedy.  He is a stand up comedian that doesn’t speak and yet his antics will have you laughing from start to finish.  His entire performance is well thought out with a good story arc of mostly standalone little tricks and bits but that all flow together seamlessly.  The show is perfectly paced and well-timed which is impressive considering a lot of it is improvised and dependent in part on the volunteer’s cooperation (or lack of).  He has outstanding showmanship and great comedic intuition that will have you enthralled and amazed.

I don’t want to give too much away as the magic of his show is in the anticipation of the unknown and watching it all slowly unravel.  All I will say is his show is brilliant, hysterical, incredibly entertaining and the best silent comedy you will ever see.  This is a show like no other and one you do not want to miss!

The Whimsical Banana rates More Tape: 6/5 Tape-tastic bananas (an extra banana for good measure!)

The Boy is performing at the beautiful Rangatira at Q all of this week with an extra show before his final one on Saturday night – tickets are selling fast so get your tickets NOW (HERE) or regret forever!

The Boy and I in 2005

The Boy and I seven years later 🙂

Sam, thanks so much for the hook up and it was so awesome meeting you after the show too – it’s crazy that it has been seven years!  See you again on closing night!

To find out more about The Boy, visit his website.

NZICF 2012 Review: Marcel Lucont in Gallic Symbol

Posted by faithashw in Comedy, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From the moment he so skillfully, without missing a beat and cool as a cucumber, put a heckler in his place at last year’s Comedy Gala, I was converted a Marcel Lucont fan.

Brought to life by the brilliant British comedian Alexis Dubus, Marcel Lucont is a self-proclaimed flâneur, raconteur and bon-viveur.  He brings a rare stand up comedy masterpiece that is uncommonly low-energy but full of sharp wit and dry humor centered around his cynical observations as a proud French misanthropist and expert international lover.  He is an excellent wordsmith and is flawless when it comes to telling a story – impeccably timed and perfectly paced, his egotistical and deadpan but yet alluring delivery will have you hanging on his every word and laughing in all the right (and sometimes wrong!) places.

In his new show, Gallic Symbol, you can expect more exquisite sex poetry (this time of a “breasty” nature), his usual haughty grievances about most things (especially anything British) and so much more.  His opening piece, “50 actual ways to leave your lover” sets the tone of the show perfectly.  Why wouldn’t you choose to catapult yourself in to a sea of naked women as a way to leave your significant other?  Perfectly normal and not over the top at all.  Apart from reading from his “manual of a sex addict”, he also shares hilarious excerpts from the diary of his teenage self.  If there’s anything funnier than Marcel Lucont, it is quite possibly a teenage Marcel Lucont.

My personal favorite bit was his hilarious parody of British humor; his impersonation of a stuffy British man is scarily accurate albeit incredibly stereotypical!  I also really enjoyed the amusing “sex positions 101”-esque class he delivers near the end, complete with corresponding visuals on cue cards.  And of course, the grand finale!  Marcel’s debut rap performance.  Yes, rap.  Prepare to be impressed.  All I can say is – merde oui!

I had the pleasure of meeting Monsieur Lucont after the show and he is an absolute delight!  I also got to see him in action again on the weekend co-hosting Le Comique, a cabaret-style event showcasing alternative comedy.  Suffice it to say, he was in top form then too and this time with a whole bottle of wine in tow!  Unfortunately his solo shows have finished its run in both Auckland and Wellington but you still have a chance to catch him as part of the Comedy Convoy, touring nationwide between 14-26 May (details HERE).

He really is one of those acts that words just cannot do him justice – you really need to be there to experience it yourself.  The show is highly sexual (but never vulgar, though sometimes teetering very near it!) and full of the sardonic musings of a self-righteous, narcissistic Frenchman, but if you can get past that, you will not be disappointed!  His performance is just effortless and will keep you captivated from beginning to end.  He is not overtly funny to the point you find yourself laughing yourself to tears (or maybe you might!) but his instinctive use of combining dry humor, sharp wit and a lot of clever wordplay, all delivered at the opportune time, will no doubt have you laughing and thoroughly entertained.

The Whimsical Banana rates Gallic Symbol: 5/5 bananas (FANTASTIQUE show!)

 

See you next year, Marcel – merci beaucoup for the outstanding show and for the lovely message in your book (and you’re right – it is superb! 😉 )

If you would like to get to know more about Monsieur Lucont, check out his website: www.marcellucont.com.

Comedy Fest 2012 Review: Chris Cox in Fatal Distraction

Posted by faithashw in Comedy, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

As I made my way to my front row seat in the beautiful Rangatira at Q (my second home this past week!), I was feeling both nervous and excited.  Nervous because sitting in the front row at a comedy show is never a good thing and excited because I genuinely could not wait to experience what all the great reviews have been going on and on about.  I had missed out on Chris Cox’s first visit to our shores back in 2010 and so did not really know what to expect.

First week of the Comedy Festival was a busy one for me; I was attending shows pretty much every night of the week!  All I can say is I am so relieved and chuffed that I managed to catch Chris Cox on his last show here in Auckland because, even though I still have a few more shows to see, I am already quite certain he is (going to be) my favorite of the festival this year!  Don’t get me wrong, everyone else I’ve seen so far have all been really excellent but I really enjoyed Chris’ show simply because it was just something completely different and not at all what you’d expect during a comedy festival.  He is not your typical stand up comedian but his show is just as entertaining (if not more) and will leave you not only bloody impressed but gagging for more.

So who is Chris Cox then and what is his show all about?  I guess you can call him a magician although he’s not the kind who pulls rabbits out of hats.  That being said there are rabbits on stage!  He insists he is a mind reader who cannot read minds, that everything is about coincidence, using psychology and observing body language.  My opinion?  He has to be a wizard (I vote former Hogwarts student!) because there was some pretty skillful mind reading going on on that stage!  The first and most obvious conclusion many will come up with to explain how he managed to do what he did is to say the show is rigged, but the ferret-in-the-sweater blows that theory well out of the water.  It’s been a few days now and my mind is STILL whirring.  It’s…like…magic!

Miraculously replicating drawings and magical laser lipsticks aside, I think the magic is really Chris himself.  His natural charm, “devilish good looks” and ability to just tell a good story will have you hanging on to his every word and move from the word go.  His show involves a lot of audience participation but the way he interacts with the crowd makes you feel just so comfortable – I can honestly say this was the first time I felt totally at ease being sat in the front row of a comedy gig.

It’s really one of those shows that you have to “see to believe” so all I will say is this: if Chris Cox is in your town, do yourself a favor and get a ticket – you will not regret it!  Wellington – he has 3 more shows at the Whitireia Performance Centre, so make sure you don’t miss out – get your tickets now (HERE) and prepare to have your mind fully blown…and read 😉  Your jaw WILL drop and by the end of the show you will leave absolutely flabbergasted.

The Whimsical Banana rates Fatal Distraction: 5/5 magical bananas!

Chris, thank you for the incredible experience – what an AMAZING and entertaining show, one I will not soon forget!  My only complaint is it should have been two hours long!  It was such an absolute pleasure meeting you after too 🙂  I hope you return next year, and this time I’ll happily sit in the front row wearing my I ❤ Cox badge with pride!  Hope you had a fantastic time back in New Zealand, even though you were ill!

 

To get more Cox ( 😛 ) check out his website www.magiccox.com

P.S. – Shout out and big thank you to the teams at the Comedy Festival and Q Theatre – you all rock!

Review: thatgamecompany’s Journey

Posted by faithashw in Games, Review and tagged with , , , , , ,

Let me first just get it out of the way – Journey is one of the most beautiful and intriguing games I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.

I am quite picky with the games I choose to play.  Even though I’d like to, realistically I just don’t have the time to play anything and everything.  I usually go for games that have a great story to tell with engaging characters in an immersive world, and one which I can have an emotional connection with.  I am also a big supporter of game developers who love to challenge themselves and the medium; ones who are not afraid to push the envelope and break some boundaries in order to create something new and exciting, not just another “cookie cutter” game.

Journey is definitely more of an experience than it is a game.  It does not have the conventional gaming features you would typically associate with games; there is no melee or gunplay and there are no scores or lives either.

The premise is simple: you play a faceless traveler who is on a journey.  You don’t know where you are, how you got there or why you are on this journey but once it starts you instinctively know you need to be heading towards that beacon of light on a mountain in the distance.  It is never made clear who you are, where you have come from or even WHAT you are.  Normally withholding that kind of information would be frowned upon as a player needs some level of back story to be emotionally invested and able to make sense of the world but in the case of Journey, it somehow just works.

That’s the magic of this game, in my opinion – everything is stripped back to the bare minimum but yet still manages to be beautifully complex and surprisingly engaging.  Gameplay is minimalistic and narrative is virtually non-existent so all you’re left with is this immense endless landscape before you to enjoy and explore.  Walking, “speaking” and leaping are the three actions that you employ throughout the duration of your journey; all mesh and work together in harmony as you tread the land towards your destination.  You are basically left to your own devices – there is very little in the way of guidance or help prompts but with a little exploring, keen observation and experimentation, the solution is usually never too far away.

 

The isolation for me was strangely comforting.  Even though the character you play is faceless and devoid of personality, as you traverse the land, you oddly start to forge a connection with this mysterious cloaked figure.  The moments that I particularly enjoyed which I found to be so freeing were the times you “surf” across the glittering ocean of sand and glide seamlessly across bridges made of shimmering cloth.

What I thought was a really interesting addition to the experience was the unique and clever incorporation of  “multiplayer” into the gameplay.  I say that with inverted commas because it really isn’t what you would expect.  Along the way you get randomly connected with another traveler who is not an NPC but actually another player who is playing the game too – you can then choose to travel the rest of the way together or you can completely ignore them and do your own thing; there is no right or wrong way.

It really adds a different dynamic to the journey, particularly because there is no way to actually communicate with this other player.  In fact you don’t even get to find out who you played alongside with until the end.

The most amazing thing about this game above all else is the stunning visuals.  Coming in at a very close second is the incredible score that just perfectly complements what’s on screen.  Many reviews have said this and I am about to echo them – Journey is hands down one of the most gorgeous games out there today.  The world is absolutely breathtaking with its glittering sands, glorious rays of sunlight and spectacular landscapes that stretch out as far as the eye can see.  Everything you see, every frame, just looks like a moving painting.

You also get to witness the dark side of the land.  There are portions of the journey where you will experience firsthand how harsh and treacherous the landscape can also be.  Consequently the music seamlessly switches to more jarring and threatening tones to match the change in atmosphere.  I thought this contrast was a good way to not only showcase two different color palettes and visual styles but also to help keep things well-paced and interesting.

I did come across a bug near the end of the game (I got stuck outside the map TWICE) which unfortunately did put a bit of a damper on the experience but apart from that my only other negatives are that there weren’t enough save points and that it could have possibly been a wee bit longer.

All in all, Journey was just a moving and exhilarating experience set in an utterly beautiful and magnificent world.  Don’t let the “artsy fartsy”-ness of the game scare you away or fool you; Journey is very much “no frills gaming” – it is simply all about well, the journey.  It’s about being curious and exploring the world around you and just embracing whatever that comes your way.

I have intentionally not been too specific about the game mechanics and how they play out in your travels because I believe part of the magic is figuring it out for yourself.  And trust me, when you finally do make it to that shining summit, the pay-off and what you had to do to get there is well worth it.

If you have a PS3 and have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing Journey, get onto the PSN right this minute and get downloading – this is a definite must play for all gamers who enjoy something a little different.

Whimsical Banana rates Journey: 4/5 bananas (would have gotten 5 if it weren’t for that bug…)

Well done and big kudos to the team at thatgamecompany for this impressive work of art!  Muchos respect!

Whimsical Banana Recommends: Community

Posted by faithashw in Review, TV and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

It’s been a couple of weeks only but I’m incredibly stoked to announce here that the Whimsical Banana is now the resident reviewer at FOUR 😀

I’ve been reviewing Community and prior to having this gig I actually had never watched nor heard anything about it but boy am I glad I have now because Community is bloody fantastic!  For a TV addict I’m actually pretty appalled at myself for not having stumbled upon it sooner.

For the uninitiated, Community is a sitcom that is set in a community college and which centers around a group of “misfit” students that form an unlikely bond when they become a part of a study group created accidentally by Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale, host of The Soup), an ex-lawyer who is forced to go back to college when his firm discovered he had lied about his education.

Every episode will have you gasping for breath – it is funny as hell; lots of pop culture references and heavy use of meta-humor.  The writing is absolutely spot on, with every jibe and joke timed perfectly and delivered effortlessly by the stellar cast.  It is just such a refreshing TV show; there’s really nothing like it out there today, I reckon.

So if you have never watched Community, I highly recommend that you do!  And please support yours truly by checking out what I have to say about each episode each week.  I have created a page (to your right) which will take you directly to the reviews.  I will, of course, be updating this weekly as my reviews go live.

Click on the image to learn more about the show – if you live in New Zealand you will be able to watch the episodes online.

P.S. – If you were scratching your head wondering where you knew the chick in the middle from, she is none other than Alison Brie who also plays Trudy Campbell on Mad Men!  Talk about playing a completely different character…and era!

Uncharted: The Hollywood Blockbuster of Games

Posted by faithashw in Games, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Uncharted 3 was easily the one game that I had been (impatiently) waiting for all of this year.  I’ve been a huge fan of the series from when the first game first released even though I actually only started playing the games this year – you know, being late to the (gaming) party and all…

On the day the game arrived (and Explorer Edition, no less!) *thanks for the hook up, Mighty Ape* it was honestly like Christmas came early.  I blazed through it in about 3 days which was really quick by my standards (sorry for not savoring it, Louise *wink*) but I’m now on my 2nd playthrough in my quest for more trophies.

I have really gotten into games this year and many of you know that I am totally obsessed with L.A. Noire.  However the Uncharted series is pretty much on par with it; I adore both games for many similar but also altogether different reasons.

So the first thing that really drew me to the Uncharted games was that it promised an “active cinematic experience”.  This peaked my interest and intrigued me greatly.  Movies have taken a bit of a backseat in my life in recent years but it will always be my “first love” and this has bled into and influences my taste in games.  I am slowly but surely venturing out and diversifying but currently the games I am attracted to and play are those with strong narratives and are very “movie-like”.

The Uncharted series have certainly come a LONG way; the games have just gotten progressively better through the years.  Game developers Naughty Dog really are a well-oiled machine, in my humble opinion.  They somehow manage to top themselves each time which is mighty impressive since each game is already so bloody amazing that you think, surely it couldn’t get any better?!

Naughty Dog have managed to hit this perfect stride where they know what works and what they do well so they subsequently maintain the tried-and-true elements (with perhaps some tweaks) that make Uncharted the games fans know and love, but at the same time they also have this like “bag of tricks” that they know to pull out at the opportune time to keep things fresh.  They are always looking at ways to improve the experience and surprise gamers which is I think a big reason why the games are so successful.

One of the (many) great things about the Uncharted games is how fantastic it looks.  The graphics are absolutely top notch, even in the early days of Drake’s Fortune.  There was a marked improvement in Among Thieves apart from the rather odd “glassy eyes” the main characters got during the cutscenes (particularly Chloe) – which freaked me out a bit!  Then Drake’s Deception rolls along and WOW.  The Dogs have really outdone themselves this time!

The world and everything in it is about as realistic as something computer generated can be.  The levels are all absolutely stunning – breathtaking views, incredible attention to detail and virtually everything you see Drake can interact with and vice versa.  Background “props” are not just there to fill and decorate the space but have a more defined appearance and presence.  When you are wandering around the cobbled streets of Cartagena, you feel like you are right there – everything looks tangible enough to touch and you can almost smell the air of this little Colombian village.  I liken this a lot to how I felt as I was driving around the streets of L.A. in L.A. Noire.

One of the most realistic environments I thought was the Rub Al’ Khali desert.  You would think creating an endless landscape of sand and sun wouldn’t be too tricky but even before watching any of the Naughty Dog interviews about the making of this level, I could see how much effort had gone into the finished product – because it looks so damn real!  That sand is ridiculous.  It moves with the wind, it changes in form as Drake trudges through it.  Superb effort, Dogs!

In terms of gameplay, like I said before, they’ve kept to their strengths and what the games are inherently about which is a good mix of platforming, gunplay, puzzle-solving and most importantly a thumping good story rooted in real-life legend told through a cinematic lens.  I did feel with this 3rd installment they’d really pulled out all the stops and just gone bigger and better.  I would say there was the least amount of change in terms of the “mechanics” related to the platforming and gunplay sequences however the new locations Drake finds himself in is what kept these two aspects of gameplay fresh and exciting.

One of my favorite moments in the game was the capsizing ship chapter – having to figure out which direction to head in, where to jump to next when everything has rotated 90 degrees was something I did find fairly challenging and confusing at times but it was also very enjoyable all the same.  The most impressive thing about this chapter was that the ship was created on like some kind of special “engine”, I believe?  Sorry, I’m not too well-versed with the actual jargon but essentially in layman terms a program or something similar was made especially for this sequence which enabled the ship and the surrounding ocean to behave exactly like how a real ship out at sea would in real life.

This means it will feel different each time too which I think is great in terms of replayability.  The end result is pretty freaky, like you actually do feel like you are on a real ship – suffice it to say this really adds on to the game playing experience.  I recall actually feeling quite seasick throughout that whole chapter – I kid you not!

I thought the puzzles in the game were really interesting and challenging enough without being too tedious.  As for the melee I thought that probably had the biggest improvement; Drake’s movements were more fluid and you could do extra things like throw someone up against a benchtop (or out a window!) and use nearby items as weapons to help you knock out an enemy – there’s even a trophy if you use fish to hit a baddie when brawling in a market, which I think is pretty funny!

The one thing that really sets the Uncharted games apart from a lot of other similar games is just how real the characters are, in particular Drake.  He doesn’t feel like a 2D computer-generated figure which you merely move around on-screen; the way you’re able to control him, how he interacts with everything and everyone around him – he actually does feel like a real person.  Thanks to the amazing technology that Naughty Dog have at their disposal, Drake is actually created with weight and mass which is why he feels real when you play him.

And of course let’s not forget the extremely talented Nolan North who is responsible for breathing life into our hero!  For the uninitiated, Nolan North is the games equivalent of an A-list Hollywood star – he has lent his voice to MANY games although he is best known as Nathan Drake.  He really embodies Drake so perfectly – and it really is like he literally has given Drake a beating heart because I feel like I know him, that he’s not “just a character in a video game”.  You totally rock, Nolan!

Gameplay aside, I have to say I was completely captivated by and engaged with the story.  I loved that we were (finally) told the story behind Drake’s and Sully’s relationship.  I loved that you got to explore Drake more intimately, really delve into his past and learn why he is the way he is.  I felt the narrative arc was just spot on; it was paced extremely well and each character’s individual story had a point and purpose and fit perfectly with the overall plot.  Major kudos to Amy Hennig, you are such an inspiration to me and I can only hope I can learn to write like you one day!

I think some of the best bits in the game were the action sequences, hands-down.  Naughty Dog really took the “active cinematic experience” to the next level, I thought.  And they definitely had a mammoth of a task in front of them because Among Thieves had some really awesome action sequences.  I won’t give any specific examples as I want to keep this post as spoiler-free as possible but what I will say is many of the action sequences got me screaming/swearing and my heart racing!  As terrifying as it is at the time, they are also an absolute blast – and of course rewarding as hell when you come out of it on the other side!

There are many people that are quite purist when it comes to games like Uncharted that blur the lines between game and cinema.  I personally do not have a problem with this and anyone who has had a conversation with me about games will know my thoughts on this.

I think what makes Uncharted so appealing to me is that it really is escapism in it’s purest form, isn’t it?  In a movie, you passively watch the action unfold before your eyes.  But in a game, specifically a game like Uncharted, not only do you see what happens unravel, you get to be a part of the action, and (sometimes) influence the course of the story.  As much as a game can look and feel like a movie, it’s the interactive aspect of games which is not possible in film that is what I find most unique and intriguing about this entertainment medium.

Overall, Uncharted 3 was SO worth the wait.  Not a dull moment; thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.  I have the utmost respect for everyone at Naughty Dog because what they have achieved with this franchise is nothing short of phenomenal.  IMHO they have made the “perfect” game in the sense that Uncharted has all the right elements that make for a fantastic gaming experience – stellar graphics, brilliant cast, great soundtrack, exciting action-packed sequences, engaging and immersive gameplay and an amazing well-written story.

Whimsical Banana rates Uncharted 3: A well-deserved 6/5 Bananas! 

Thanks for the thrilling ride, Naughty Dog!  I look forward to reading about the many awards and accolades you will no doubt be receiving for this epic masterpiece.

Review: Drive

Posted by faithashw in Film, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

I was lucky enough to attend a VERY advanced screening of Drive this week.  It was pretty early in the morning so it was one of those “this better be worth it” moments but boy am I glad I dragged myself out of bed for it.

Drive is easily one of the best films I’ve seen this year which is saying something as I’ve not watched a whole lot this year and the films I have seen have been good ones.

Based on a novel, the premise is straightforward enough – a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver becomes unwittingly involved in a heist that goes badly wrong in a bid to help out a neighbor.  He is played brilliantly by Ryan Gosling who up until recently I hadn’t really paid attention to especially since he kind of dropped off the radar for a bit post-The Notebook fame.  After watching his performance in this film though, he is definitely one to look out for.  You certainly see a completely different side to his acting abilities here, as he plays a much darker character.

Although simple in premise and linear in storytelling style, visually the film is “exciting” because it is executed with so much thought and skill.  Everything just made sense and had it’s purpose; pacing was definitely a key element that drove the film and I felt Nicolas Winding Refn, the director nailed it.  One of my favorite scenes was the opening sequence where you follow Gosling’s character like an invisible passenger on a routine job in the getaway car.  Very cat-and-mouse-esque – the build up throughout the sequence was excellent, so much nail-biting tension!!  Just like the robbers in the backseat, you are taken along on this ride and as he is feverishly trying to evade the police you are kept at the edge of your seat; will he escape, will he get caught?  I thought the cuts between the interior and exterior of the car were well timed and added to the intensity and the suspense of the “chase”.

Gosling’s character – who is unnamed – doesn’t speak much throughout the film.  You get the impression that he is more of a spectator in life.  He only speaks when spoken to and you get this sense that he is a troubled person with a tainted past.  This requires a lot of restraint in an actor’s performance which I felt Gosling did remarkably.  In my opinion, the mark of a really good actor is someone who is able to still bring forward their character’s story and personality even with the absence of dialogue.  There are many scenes in this film where he doesn’t say much, or anything, but you still know exactly what is going on, or what he is feeling, because Gosling manages to skillfully convey so much through subtle nuances in his face and body language.   I remember this scene between him and the neighbor (played by Carey Mulligan) – it was dead silent between the two of them for a good 30+ seconds and although it looked deceivingly like the pair were not putting in any effort acting-wise, they managed to perfectly create that awkward tense silence between two strangers just getting to know each other.  The shot was taken over Mulligan’s shoulder so you don’t see her face, just Gosling’s; the expression he had on his face was priceless; very subtle but completely relatable to anyone who has ever been in this situation before (Lord knows I have!) – so awkward but so perfect for that exact moment in the film.

Christina Hendricks of Mad Men fame makes a guest appearance in the film – a nice touch.  If you’re used to seeing her as the sexy and always-well-put-together Joan Holloway, you are in for a surprise as she plays a VERY different character in this film.

I don’t really want to say much more because I feel I will not do it justice.  All I will say to conclude is this: Drive is a rather ugly story but told beautifully.  Not beautiful visually but beautiful cinematically.  It’s edgy, disturbing and entertaining all in one.  Ryan Gosling plays a very interesting “more than meets the eye” character – an unlikely hero –  narrative pull aside, I feel Gosling’s character is a significant factor to what makes the film so intriguing.  If you appreciate a good suspense thriller and can stomach a good amount of violence, you need to see this film when it opens in cinemas in November.

Whimsical Banana rates Drive:  5/5 tasty bananas!

Heavy Rain: Interactive Drama at it’s Best

Posted by faithashw in Games, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

I recently decided to go back for a second playthrough of Heavy Rain, primarily with the goal to *finally* Platinum it – and I’m so chuffed I went back.  A year and a half later and the experience still feels as fresh and engaging as it did the first time.  I’ve definitely fallen in love with it all over again!

When I first got told about this game about 6 years or so ago, it definitely peaked my interest from the get-go.  And back then I wasn’t into games at all really so that’s saying something.  In those early days there wasn’t too much mention of the story or what it was going to be about, but it was more a reveal of what kind of game this was going to be, gameplay-wise.  Quantic Dream, the developers of the game had big plans and hopes for Heavy Rain because it was going to be pioneering a new genre in games – the “interactive drama” as they coined it.

Let me start by giving a brief synopsis of what Heavy Rain is all about.  Don’t worry, I’ve kept it spoiler-free, should anyone feel encouraged to play it after they read this post (I hope so!).

The story spans over several days in October 2011 in a city somewhere on the east coast.  The location is never mentioned in the game but there are several clues throughout the game that suggests it is set in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.  You play 4 characters at different stages in the story – Ethan (a father and an architect; he is the main protagonist), Norman (an FBI profiler who suffers from drug addiction), Scott (a private investigator) and Madison (a chronic insomniac).  There is a serial killer on the loose – the Origami Killer as he has been labeled by the police – whose modus operandi is to kidnap young boys during the rainy fall season.  The victims are found dead several days later in a remote location, always with an orchid on their chest and an origami figure in their hand.  Ethan’s son, Shaun, disappears and the police soon link his disappearance to the Origami Killer murders.  Meanwhile unbeknownst to the police Ethan is being contacted by the Origami Killer himself – he has to undergo different “tests” in order to gain clues to the whereabouts of his son.

The underlying message throughout the game is simple: How far would you go to save the one you love?  The game has a very strong moral compass – every action and decision bears consequences that will not only affect later scenes in the game but the overall narrative arc; ultimately all your decisions, what you did or didn’t do, how you reacted, who survived and/or didn’t – will impact how the story ends.

As you play each character you have the opportunity to react and respond differently in different situations.  In conversations you can choose to be reasonable or aggresive, to forgive or to reject, to come clean or to lie.  During the majority of these scenes you can gain access to the character’s thoughts which could help/affect your decision.  In the faster paced action sequences, you do not have direct control of the character but instead you have to be prepared to respond to a quick succession of button prompts (“quick time events”, for you gamers out there!!) in order to get through the scene – in some of these scenes, failing too many times could result in that character’s death.  The prompts are not just you mindlessly button mashing but also makes use of the PS3’s motion-sensitive controller.  For example, choosing to kick down a door could involve you physically moving the controller to mimic that very action.  It was these prompts that I found particularly engaging as it increased the player’s involvement to the action on screen.  What I found effective as well was, in scenes where the character is in a stressed or panicked situation, the button prompts or options mirror the character’s feelings – they appear shaky and blurry onscreen which makes you, the player, become equally stressed and panicked as well.

To have a better understanding of what I’m going on about, the below video is the first trial that you can choose to have Ethan do.  I think among all the action sequences that are in the game, I “enjoyed” this one the most.  It was the first time in the game that I actually felt completely immersed and connected to what was going on onscreen – I had invested in Ethan by that point and so how you see him in that sequence, that’s exactly how I was too – I remember feeling absolutely terrified for my life; my heart was pounding out of my chest and there definitely was some screaming and swearing going on too!

*Thank you to MahaloVideoGames for the video

What I find most interesting about this game is that it does not play like your usual shoot bad guys/ drive fast cars/ jump from platform to platform/ save the damsel in distress type games.  Instead it is meant to feel and play out as closely to reality as it possibly can do within the rules and universe of a game.  This is best illustrated through what I think is the game’s unique “selling point” – and that there are no game overs which then require a replay.  So like if in a particular chapter you stuff up too many times and wind up getting killed, instead of the scene ending with a “Game Over” forcing you to repeat that sequence, the story just carries on without the character.  Any contributions that character had to the plot will now become null, and will of course, affect the progression and ultimately the conclusion of the story.

Most if not all games are designed to encourage replayability and Heavy Rain is no exception: there are literally countless ways you can play out the story.  There are multiple options for most choices and actions that could branch out to many different narrative threads – the possibilities are seriously endless.  One of the trophies in the game is “See all endings” – it took me awhile but I finally got it; there are seven different endings with seventeen various epilogues spread out between them.  However with each ending there could be multiple ways of getting to that ending. (I know this because I tried!)

Interestingly enough though, David Cage, the CEO of Quantic Dream who also wrote and directed the game doesn’t actually encourage replaying the game.  In an interview with G4TV he said “I would like people to play it once…because that’s life. Life you can only play once…I would like people to have this experience that way.  I’m fine with [reloading to avoid a bad result], but the right way to enjoy Heavy Rain is really to make one thing because it’s going to be your story. It’s going to be unique to you. It’s really the story you decided to write…I think playing it several times is also a way to kill the magic of it.”  I doubt many, if  any, gamers heeded to his advice (I certainly didn’t!) but what he said definitely rings true to the spirit of the game and what it’s all about.  As I said earlier, I definitely get the sense that the game is made to play as close to reality as possible.  Echoing his words, in life there are no second chances and so good or bad, you have to live with the choices you make – and that is what you constantly get faced with throughout the game: tons of decision-making.  It sounds tedious when put like that but it really isn’t.

As brilliant as the game is on so many levels, it does have it’s faults too.  Controlling the characters can sometimes be a tad awkward (R2 to move, left analog stick to control the direction – not just the left analog stick which is the standard) and at certain times they do seem a little robotic in their movements, in particular when you change the direction when the character is walking.  In terms of facial performance, for the most part it was pretty spot-on however I felt that this seemed to only be largely limited to the 4 main characters; the more minor characters (namely Lauren Winter, for me personally) tended to have a very deadpan look in their eyes and often just a lifeless expression on their face regardless if they were happy, sad or angry.  This was a bit disappointing considering overall the game visually looked stunning and very realistic.  Another negative for me was some very obvious plot holes towards the end of the game.  Again, very disappointing especially considering the game’s main strength is it’s story.  I’m uncertain as to why this wasn’t picked up on but giving them the benefit of the doubt I can only hazard a guess that assuming all bases had been covered, what must have happened was when cuts were being made to manage the length, some important facts and information may have gotten lost along the way but not removed entirely – and so plot holes are born.  Pretty careless but hey, happens all the time – in movies, especially.

Flaws aside, I do feel that overall Heavy Rain‘s positives far outweigh the negatives.  In my opinion Quantic Dream did manage to achieve what they set out to do and that was to create a unique, first-of-its-kind, gaming experience – a psychological thriller with a strong narrative and underlying moral theme, in the form of an interactive drama.  The “mood” and feel of the game is masterfully executed through the gray color palette of the world, the sombre and haunting soundtrack and the well thought-out characters that complement (and sometimes contradict) each other.  The actors who were cast all performed brilliantly (they all did both the voicework and motion capture); in particular the ones who play the 4 main characters.  Pascal Langdale, who played Ethan, perfectly embodied the character, in my opinion.  He definitely breathed life into Ethan and made him feel like a real person, not just a character I was playing in a game.  I felt emotionally connected to Ethan from start to finish; I felt his fear, I understood his guilt – often I found myself getting so immersed in the experience that it didn’t feel like I was playing a game anymore.  It’s amazing that you can feel like that for something that is in essence completely virtual.

It is this feeling that I hold on to and why subsequently I think Heavy Rain is simply a fantastic game.  Again, it is far from perfect – it’s fairly buggy and definitely has room for improvement but for what it stands for and sets out to do – it is brilliant and in my VERY humble opinion, an important pivotal game in the gaming industry.  Games should always attempt to challenge or break down boundaries as it is still (sadly) the underdog among the different sources of entertainment, and Quantic Dream did just that with Heavy Rain – proving that games can be more than just “saving the princess” or shooting enemies left, right and center; games can also be incredibly interactive and highly engaging – it can involve moral decisions and invoke an emotional experience that you would (prior to this) normally possibly only ever akin to real-life situations.

So, if you have a PS3 and have not yet played Heavy Rain, you really need to!!  ‘Nuff said.   I think I have sung it enough praises, I will let the game itself do the rest of the talking…

Whimsical Banana rates Heavy Rain: 4/5 Bananas!