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Alpha and Omega... my thoughts.
15 years ago
General
This was written for the Cartoon Brew site: https://www.cartoonbrew.com
Long before there was a Furry community, I was an animation fan. I went to every college animation festival and bought tickets to every animation screening at FILMEX (remember when LA had their own everybody's welcome film festival? I do... *sigh*) I told everyone (and myself) that I would see ANYTHING that was animated. I sat through Tarzoon, Shame of the Jungle (in a theater!), but I did finally have to admit defeat when I walked out on an exclusive screening of "Symphonia Amazonica" (a "lost film" that should have remained that way...) At least I got my money back...
Being involved in the Furry community as I and many of my friends are, I do try to see every film that fits the genre. Usually I find something to like in even the most 3rd rate production. (isn't it great that we live in a day when we actually HAVE 3rd rate animated films being released! Thanks to the now wonderfully common 1st and 2nd rate films. Anyone remember the 80's? I'd like to forget some of them...)
Here is what I enjoyed about Alpha and Omega.
The overall look of the film was pleasing. (though I could not warm up to the look of the wolves. The thin lower jaw just didn't work for me)
The clever take on how wolf society works, with the omegas doing their very important work, AND being recognized by the pack leader for their effort! The main character was, in fact the Alpha-omega. His leadership qualities (considering who he had to keep in line) might lead one to believe he could make a good pack leader...
The characters. They took the time to develop several characters that would normally been just "props". Even the human "odd couple" that provide (unknowing) transport for our hero and heroine were clever. (I would say "original", but I have been to several wilderness parks, and that sort of couple is quite common!) This reveals some positive aspects in writing.
The animation (not all of it) was above average. Certainly better then some other non-major CGI animated films.
Some of the concepts, like the pack and couples singing (howling) together were clever. The fact that the "singing" was without lyrics was a good idea (though the actual music in these scenes could have been better). The establishment of a "frivolous" skill (tobogganing) turning out to "save the day" (though they overdid this) once again proved that someone was at least TRYING, story-wise.
I won't go into detail about what I didn't like... stilted dialog, extra characters with ridiculous motivation (yet important to the story...) You can read all about the shortcomings of the film in the voluminous text above...
My realization about Alpha and Omega is that it was a labor of love for some (many?) of the people involved in the production. It was not something they just "mailed in". I've seen enough of that sort of fare. This films was somebody's "pride and joy", and I would be glad to pat them on the back and say "good job".
I laughed, I cringed, I even teared-up a few times. (wolves are COOL!)
I'll try to quote the honorable Chas Jones...
"When you create something, you put into it a lot of work and a lot of love. In the end, only the love should show..."
Alpha and Omega didn't reach that lofty goal, but I sure felt some love in there...
Anybody else see Alpha and Omega? What did you think?
Long before there was a Furry community, I was an animation fan. I went to every college animation festival and bought tickets to every animation screening at FILMEX (remember when LA had their own everybody's welcome film festival? I do... *sigh*) I told everyone (and myself) that I would see ANYTHING that was animated. I sat through Tarzoon, Shame of the Jungle (in a theater!), but I did finally have to admit defeat when I walked out on an exclusive screening of "Symphonia Amazonica" (a "lost film" that should have remained that way...) At least I got my money back...
Being involved in the Furry community as I and many of my friends are, I do try to see every film that fits the genre. Usually I find something to like in even the most 3rd rate production. (isn't it great that we live in a day when we actually HAVE 3rd rate animated films being released! Thanks to the now wonderfully common 1st and 2nd rate films. Anyone remember the 80's? I'd like to forget some of them...)
Here is what I enjoyed about Alpha and Omega.
The overall look of the film was pleasing. (though I could not warm up to the look of the wolves. The thin lower jaw just didn't work for me)
The clever take on how wolf society works, with the omegas doing their very important work, AND being recognized by the pack leader for their effort! The main character was, in fact the Alpha-omega. His leadership qualities (considering who he had to keep in line) might lead one to believe he could make a good pack leader...
The characters. They took the time to develop several characters that would normally been just "props". Even the human "odd couple" that provide (unknowing) transport for our hero and heroine were clever. (I would say "original", but I have been to several wilderness parks, and that sort of couple is quite common!) This reveals some positive aspects in writing.
The animation (not all of it) was above average. Certainly better then some other non-major CGI animated films.
Some of the concepts, like the pack and couples singing (howling) together were clever. The fact that the "singing" was without lyrics was a good idea (though the actual music in these scenes could have been better). The establishment of a "frivolous" skill (tobogganing) turning out to "save the day" (though they overdid this) once again proved that someone was at least TRYING, story-wise.
I won't go into detail about what I didn't like... stilted dialog, extra characters with ridiculous motivation (yet important to the story...) You can read all about the shortcomings of the film in the voluminous text above...
My realization about Alpha and Omega is that it was a labor of love for some (many?) of the people involved in the production. It was not something they just "mailed in". I've seen enough of that sort of fare. This films was somebody's "pride and joy", and I would be glad to pat them on the back and say "good job".
I laughed, I cringed, I even teared-up a few times. (wolves are COOL!)
I'll try to quote the honorable Chas Jones...
"When you create something, you put into it a lot of work and a lot of love. In the end, only the love should show..."
Alpha and Omega didn't reach that lofty goal, but I sure felt some love in there...
Anybody else see Alpha and Omega? What did you think?
but i agree on the thin jaw thing.. just seems wrong
As an added note, I'm really going to miss Dennis Hopper.