Well, the movie was released the Friday just gone in the UK, so I went to go see it with my best buddy, just to see what it was going to be. Since the series is nearing it's 15th Anniversary, it's the obligatory moment in video gaming for publishers to make a tribute to that milestone, in the case for the Ratchet and Clank, it's the time to make a movie telling about how they met, albeit adjusted for the purposes of an audience not familiar with the games.

Is it any good? Well...

SPOILERS ALERT

It's brilliant at doing what movies based around games have been doing for the last two decades - it makes the games look better in comparison. By no means is the movie unwatchable, but it doesn't do this series a great deal of justice. But let's focus on the positives.

Clank's transition to film is absolutely perfect. His personality and his character are virtually unchanged from the games. You could argue that he isn't a very complex character to begin with - he is a robot after all, who just does what is right, but is also witty and clever when needs must. But in this film, he is pretty much unchanged from the games.

Also, Qwark becomes a bit more interesting. Yeah, you wouldn't think a narcissist like Qwark could be interesting. For those of you not familiar with the games, Qwark is a bit of a has been hero - more interested in feeding his ego than fighting his enemies, and the film does do that. But where the games really made him narcissistic to a fault, where he is oblivious to the plight of others, in the movie he actually learns from his mistakes. In one scene, he sees the consequences of his actions and you can actually see that it hurts him, making him question whether his ego is worth it. Does that mean he regrets his decision immediately? No, he's still a jerk, even when he knows what he is doing is wrong, but at least it means he gets his comeuppance and he sort-of accepts it, as detailed in his autobiography "I said I was sorry". It does rob of that surprise in the first game when we discover he is working for Drek, when we only found out after the first act.

The film certainly also likes to play with the elements it has at it's disposal. The Ratchet and Clank universe has no shortage of wacky weapons, and each get some decent screen time, though the RYNO arguably get the best appearance, with it hinting to the Grummelnet informercials. It could have done better, though.

Okay, let's talk about the flaws, and there are a few.

The CG animation is akin to the cut scene animation from a video game. It doesn't transition well to film and looks ashamedly like the direct-to-DVD animation style. Granted, the game is meant to run like an animated comic, but the animation here is distracting. I couldn't help but feel I was watching some kind of TV movie made for Cartoon Network, it felt that blocky. Not to mention the laziness when it comes to the crowds - aside from the main characters, everyone else is either the same Blaarg, or a Tharpod, a robot, or a Fongoid (which raises another issue - aren't the Tharpods and Fongoids supposed to be native to the Polaris galaxy and not able to travel? Tharpods are an oppressed race from Magnus, and Fongoids abandoned technology).

The jokes tend to fall flat somewhat, and this is a game series often praised for its wit. The jokes here are largely slapstick or cultural references. There is a little too many nudges and winks to PlayStation fans out there that I feel most people, if they were seeing this movie as children, having never seen the series before or know their history, wouldn't understand. Aside from myself, my friend and the four furries in the row behind us, how many children are going to get the joke when a robot is blown off a bridge, uses the stock scream sound, and his partner shouts "Wilhelm!"? It is largely nudging and winking.

As for the characters - they're not very interesting. The side characters as just that, side characters. They're so generic that they don't even have the stereotypical character tropes. Ratchet comes across as more of a fan boy than his usual personality in the games, which is just jarring, because he's meant to be a little less naïve - in the first game, he's portrayed as a character who is clever and is more sarcastic. This version of Ratchet is a little too child like, dreaming big and wanting fame an adventure, whereas the game sort of built him up to be the hero, because everyone else was kind of pathetic.

And the villains are also butchered in this. Drek, who was the kind of ends justifies the means character, who comes across as manipulative in the first game, and not afraid to get his hands dirty in a fight (he was destroying planets, so he could cherry pick the best bits and make a new one, playing off the fact that his people were dying as a means to justify his frankly horrific actions), is portrayed as the opposite. Simply destroying planets to build a new one, for no real reason other than it being his dream. There is mention that his people have been trapped underground and want a new planet, but is rather throwaway. As for Doctor Nefarious - still insane, but his only reason for being evil was because the Galactic Rangers never thanked him? It's too mild! Plus, we came to love (hate) him for being a robot supremacist. In this, he's organic and is just palling around with Drek just to backstab him in the most predictable means ever and wipe out one solar system, with no real reason. All the good elements about his character built up in the games are just... thrown away.

And how DARE they feature the Plumber, and not give him even a speaking role!

On the whole...
Lacklustre animation, weak characters and a butchered story. Mostly a nostalgia trip for fans, but for newcomers - play the game instead, you can find the many iterations of the first game in all good gaming stores. I think fans deserved an independent stand alone story with five minutes of exposition at the beginning, rather than a bad retelling, much like how they did with the short DC run.

3/10

The Zootopia art I have submitted over the last couple of days is now available to buy on Red Bubble? That's right. Since the designs have been really popular, I figured I would submit them onto Red Bubble, so you can have them on t shirts, posters, pillows, tote bags, iPad cases etc.

Here's Doctor Zoo http://www.redbubble.com/people/gio.....amp;style=mens

and here's Best Pilots in Zootopia http://www.redbubble.com/people/gio.....amp;style=mens

Tell your friends!

-MM

Anyway, I came back from JFTW a couple of days ago, and it was very good for its first year. Staff ran the event very effectively, including getting a free buffet running at lunchtime, which most conventions don't supply, and organising the photoshoot at the suspension bridge, so the public could donate money to the charity we supported. From what I gathered, we raised over £1000 for a local animal shelter, which is a pretty decent Easter present. Once they iron out the issues with the time keeping, and get some more function rooms, I reckon it would be perfect.

Anyway, I also saw Zootropolis after the convention (Zootopia for all you non Europeans out there). It was... okay. I'm serious, it just falls into the okay category for me. As someone who doesn't get excited about films about anthropomorphic animals, just because they have anthropomorphic animals, I think the story is just passable, though, as an adult, I spent most of the movie dissecting it, coming to the conclusion that the villain is a subtle caricature of one very notable controversial figure in today's society. The first act is just exposition, the second act is the buddy cop movie seen in the trailers, and the last act is where we start to see what I wanted to see from the beginning, when the weight of the character's decisions and we start seeing some real emotion. Sorry to disappoint, but, to me, it's not exactly the super hit the fandom made it out to be.

Lastly, commissions are reopening. I need to get watching figures up and need to get some money. I am currently doing badges, which start from £5 ($8), and I have a range of styles.

Hope you all had a great Easter.

-GM

1. What is your name?
Giovanni Magnus

2. What is your gender?
Male

3. How old are you?
23

4. How tall are you?
5.8

5. Where are you staying?
Holiday Inn Bristol-Filton

6. What day are you getting there?
Friday 25th (first day of con)

7. Who will you be with?
I'll be alone most of the time

8. Do you have art in the art show?
I wanted time off, so no.

9. What suit(s) will you have?
Just Giovanni Magnus

10. Can I dance with you?
I'm willing to learn

11. Can I touch you?
Only without sticky fingers

12. Can I talk to you?
Sure, I'd love a chat

13. Can I hug you?
Always make sure you ask

14. Can I take photos of you/with you?
Only in suit. I'm camera shy out of suit

15. Can I buy you lots of drinks?
I like lemonade

16. Do you drink Alcohol/Smoke?
I might crack open that bottle of 69 Spass Verdoppler

17. Can I give you lots of money?
I'm taking commissions again after the con, so sure.

18. Can I hang out with you?
I had no plans to, but I would appreciate the company.

19. How will I recognize you?
My badges and my suit.

20. Where will you be most of the time during the con?
Probably in the hotel

21. Who are you rooming with?
 panoramicharry

22. Attending any events?
Of course

23. How can I find you at the con?
Just hanging around

25. How are you getting to the con?
I live locally, so I will be taking the bus.

In the near future, I might consider doing a YCH, where I draw poses and auction them off. My question is, would anyone be potentially interested in this? I don't get a lot of commissions a great deal of the time, so I wonder if a YCH would improve upon that.

I'm going to discontinuing commissions indefinitely. It appears some people don't understand that if you want a nice picture, you have to pay for it.

Yes, the world has been decidedly quiet in terms of tangible news from me, albeit the news you actually want to see. Well, let's start with the first piece of furry relevant news;

I've got myself a new job, which means that I am able to attend more conventions again. This year, we have Just Fur the Weekend, a new convention taking place in my home city of Bristol, Confuzzled, because no UK Fur would dare miss it if they can afford it, and Eurofurence, because I had money, and, as well as celebrating my 24th birthday, it will also serve to be a celebration for graduating university; that's right, my four long years at university are finally ending - not that I am pleased about it, because it'll be sad to not go back to the old lecture halls, now I've gotten used to the stench of the toiler cleaner.

Of all these, I'm looking forward to Just Fur the Weekend the most, because it's a smaller convention, which I always found quite enjoyable in the last couple of years. Emphasis is more on socialising, more so than attending panels, though they're still pretty good. However, unlike the other cons, I don't have to catch a plane or a coach to get there, as well as the lack of an art show, which is kind of sad in one way, since it won't mean extra cash in hand at the end of the convention, right when I could do with that little bit to spend before it all clears up, but a massive relief in one way, since it means I'm not just simply digging through my collection to find the one piece of art worth printing out, nor am I madly dashing something off in the gaps between studying and working.

Also, I made it a new year's resolution to draw more things, and try and make one large art piece every month, with the first giant art piece being the Night of the Living Draugr. I'm sure I can come up with something each month to satisfy my imagination.

Lastly, an apology for all the watchers who were expecting badges about a year ago. Last year has been manic and finding that little bit of time to get everything done has been hard, really hard. There seldom comes a day where I am not getting up and already have a full schedule for that day. You're more than welcome to unwatch me, and I won't come after you, but I always argued with myself over my reasoning for not getting them done and it usually fell into the excuse of "I've not really got the urgency to do It, because they're free, just as you have no necessity to watch me, because I'm just one artist.". So yeah, apologies for making you go through that crap - I don't know, maybe I'll pick it up again when I really have nothing to do.

All the best.

-MM

As many of you may know, I attend a few furry conventions (this year having been very busy), and I'm quite partial to taking a photo of literally ever fursuiter I can find at these conventions. And I like to upload them, because I love sharing my experiences with everyone. Which is why, in the past, it was often quite a painful process - because there was a very strict limit on how many I could have online at any one time.

Not any more, thanks to Flickr.

I know it took me a few years to finally bow to pressure and eventually get myself a proper account, but from now on, I will be uploading them there, rather than to Dropbox. For many of you, this will be something of an advantage, because not only will you be able to find your photos a little easier, you can download them to the appropriate size and as a much better quality (shaky camera hands permitting). So I'm using today as an opportunity to go through my hard drive, collect all the photos up, and stick them there. This means that the links on the respective album pages (which I usually release shortly after getting back) will no longer work and will be soon deleted. This is just an advance to say that if you want to save your favourites gallery of any clutter (thanks to the god awful system where you cannot delete submissions that have gone), it's best to clear them up now.

Anyway, I will, hopefully, have a submission soon which will have the new links.

Thank you.

-MM

Anyway, I'm coming up to the final year of my degree and hopefully I'll make the best of it. I will probably have to spend less and less time here.

-MM

Hiya! It's been a while since I last posted - about four weeks I'd say. Anyway, here is what I currently stand at this point.

I came back from Eurofurence about a week ago and had the most excellent time over there. It was a little weird for it to be my first birthday away from family and most of my friends, but it was an amazing experience nonetheless. Hopefully, if I can get a decent job after Confuzzled next year, I would definitely consider going back for EF22, particularly since the theme is the 80s.

My art, sadly, didn't sell as far as I know. I have yet to upload it, been sort of in a rut of post con unproductiveness - but hopefully that nonsense will get out my head soon enough and I can get back to sketching. If any of you are still owed commissions, drop me a message, because I really should get my affairs in order before my last year at uni starts later this month.

Also, I'm going through something of a break up - I really shouldn't be telling you this, because I think the last thing I want to do is make it official, but I do believe it had to be done. Long story short, my partner was forever making everything feel negative and was frequently making very public emotional outbursts and it became burdensome to take him anywhere in public. I tried to address the issue and then he made it seem like it was my fault for trying to help him overcome his fear and take him out in public, so I decided that I was getting kind of fed up of his defeatist attitude, which had grown worse and worse in recent months and his constant need to drag everything down and make life seem so miserable for everyone around him. I told him it was over, because the last thing I'd need for my last year at university was someone with such emotional baggage that he couldn't properly kick.

As for the job, well, the company wasn't doing too great, so they couldn't offer the first two weeks of September, which I could have used for Christmas money. Still, the job was really enjoyable, even up to the end and now I have warehouse experience, which means I could get a lot more jobs in places like that, and there are a fair few near where I study. It's just a shame they couldn't take me back on for September, because that little bit extra money would do great right about now, still a few weeks elsewhere will still be okay.

Okay, lastly, I will now be uploading convention photos to Flickr rather than to Dropbox. The number of photos taken at Eurofurence were too many to put into Dropbox and it was just a nuisance to keep changing the files around every few months. I will start doing this from now on, but will only upload old photos there if there is any demand. The username is "Giovanni Magnus".

That should be everything - bye for now!

-G

Okay, an addendum to the previous update journal from a couple of months back.

1a) Confuzzled is still amazing, nothing more to add.

2a) My job is going excellently, but I believe the contract is coming to an end this week. That said, the company appreciate the work I do and I'm going to see if I can get the first two weeks of September, after my holiday, which leads onto 3.

3a) I WILL be attending Eurofurence this year. Turns out the time I wanted off did not clash and the job I was given in the end means I didn't have to cover for anyone during that time. I've been saving up for a long time, since my first paycheck, and will be making the most of it.

4a) No further news on RuneScape. Making progress towards 99 Summoning, a skill I think would serve me well.

5a) Again, still sorry for the art not being handed out. But, it was free, so you can't be totally mad. But when it's done, I'll make it look extra special to make up for being so busy.

6a) Fleshed out Gideon a little more with a ref sheet, finally.

7a) I decided screw it and I'm voicing Giovanni myself. I know I sound like Sheldon Cooper, but I didn't ask to sound like a nerd.

Also, I'd like to give thanks to all my watchers - I've finally reached 200!

1. Confuzzled was truly amazing. I had an amazing time and met loads of new friends. Looking forward to next year.

2. I have a new job for the summer, meaning I won't be bumming around with nothing to do, which is amazing. It's tiring, but I'm working somewhere I can put my mind to good use.

3. I will still not be attending Eurofurrence this year. Not because I cannot afford it, but because I HAVE to be working the week it takes place.

4. I gained my second level 99 in RuneScape in the magic skill. I really want to play the Tuska event, but I get too easily distracted to cap. Hopefully, I can do it over the next few weeks.

5. I know I owe people some art still. Frankly, I'm a little peeved at myself for not using more free time between the convention and my new job to do it. I will get it done.

6. I'm going to flesh out Gideon Klaus over the summer, hopefully getting a grand reveal sometime soon.

7. I'm going to work on some memoriam monologues for Giovanni. I need a voice actor.

Confuzzled meme borrowed from Zippy the Irish wolf

1. What is your name?
Giovanni Magnus

2. What is your gender?
Male

3. How old are you?
22

4. How tall are you?
Entirely subjective

5. Are you in a relationship?
I am,  Zelnyair

6. Where are you staying?
The Hilton

7. What day are you getting?
Friday 22nd

8. Who will you be with?
 Blazijess and  Zelnyair, most likely.

9. Do you have art in the art show?
I should have something ready for both the tame and adult sections.

10. What suit(s) will you have?
Giovanni Magnus

11. Can I dance with you?
If I am dancing. Might bring Just Dance, if there's co-op.

12. Can I touch you?
No. I seem to be generating a lot of static these days.

13. Can I talk to you?
Yeah, go ahead.

14. Can I hug you?
Sure

15. Can I take photos of you/with you?
Oh, yes please! No one ever takes photos of me!

16. Can I buy you lots of drinks?
I don't drink alcohol. I'll take a lemonade though.

17. Do you drink Alcohol/Smoke?
Nope.

18. Can I give you lots of money?
I'm auctioning some stuff, feel free.

19. Can I hang out with you?
I want to hang out at events, so yes you can.

20. How will I recognize you?
The one wearing the cool shirts and the long hair.

21. Where will you be most of the time during the con?
In events.

22. Who are you rooming with?
A dragon named Attor, just not this one  wxyzz

23. Attending any events?
Plenty. I'll be doing fursuit fiasco and the parade.

24. How can I find you at the con?
You don't find me, I find you.

25. Are you doing anything in line with the theme?
Be sure to check the arcade sometime, you'll see.

I'm frankly a little pissed off with everything. I have too many distractions and the furry fandom is fast becoming the most detrimental to my degree. I am taking time off.

-MM

I would like to make a personal apology to the winners of the Christmas Raffle I did a few months ago.

I haven't been able to make a start on your pictures. Following the closing date for the raffle, I've had a lot to see to. I have had to deal with drawing half a dozen detailed pictures as Christmas presents, had an exam to revise for in January which stressed me out no end, preparing for a family member's 50th birthday, a convention and have now got to deal with a Valentines present and come up with a draft for the Confuzzled auction, if I wish to submit a specially made piece for it.

Since the prizes are technically freebies, I haven't had the time to deal with them (gift art takes lesser priority than many other works, particularly if there is no fixed deadline). I would appreciate it immensely if you have a little patience, because I'm seriously on edge at the moment.

-MM

I've given it a considerable deal of thought, regarding the production of a large scale charity piece for Confuzzled, based around the theme. I've decided not to do something on the lines of "Alice in Wonderland". Here is my reasoning;

1. Doing a mural of the scenes from Alice in Wonderland would take way too long. I started By Lantern's Light the August before Confuzzled and it took ages to gather the volunteers and clear it with them about using their characters. I can understand it might be more streamlined, but I really don't have as much time as I had last year.

2. The ideas for a group picture are clichéd. When everyone thinks of Alice in Wonderland, they immediately think of the tea party, so coming up with something that hasn't been done before is tricky.

3. The theme this year is incredibly restrictive. With "The World of Tomorrow", I could get away with the Lantern picture, given that the DC Universe has the right kind of feel. There isn't really room to expand with "Alice in Wonderland", because going into nonsense just wouldn't... well, make sense, and Lewis Caroll was a conservative mathematician, and that's even more limiting.

4. What would be the point? Most of the cast of Alice in Wonderland are anthropomorphized animals, in other words, furries. So how exactly can furries cosplay as furries? By Lantern's Light made sense because, even if the corps were mostly alien, they weren't furries per se.

5. Why is a raven like a writing desk?


So in short, I will be doing something else for the con, not themed towards "Alice in Wonderland". Sorry guys. If I had more time and more freedom to work with, I'd go all in, because I love drawing art for you guys.

In the run up to Confuzzled, I may be doing another charity piece for the convention's art show. Given the theme this year is Wonderland, as in "Alice in Wonderland", the mural I may do will depict furries dressed up as characters from the books "Alice in the Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" within their contextual scenes.

Obviously, before I get started, I need to list down key scenes and what parts will be available for each (there will be MULTIPLE Alices, so there will be no shortage of that role to go round). I've been checking and we can probably get a favourable number of parts. Please do not make requests now, I will find roles for everyone in time.

You do not need to be attending Confuzzled to be in the picture, but those attending may take priority.

I'll keep you updating as and when developments are made.

-MM

If I owe you art, please get in touch, because I'm a bit scatterbrained at the moment, trying to deal with an exam next week. There may be a delay on things because of that.

Also, I know I did hold a raffle, but I've been way too busy to get anything done.

-GM

First of all, I'd like to wish my watchers a Merry Christmas, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Diwali, Wookie Life Day or whatever holiday you celebrate and also a Happy New Year.

Also, I know I owe a few of you some raffle prizes. I assure that these will be done, I've just had a lot of things to see to in the run up to Christmas, but I will try to get, at least, the badges done ASAP, with the 1st prize picture done by the New Year, if I can. I probably won't sleep that much tonight (I'm a bit of a big kid), so I'll put my excitement to good use.

-MM

Thanks to everyone who watched me and entered into the raffle. I have put your numbers through a random number generator (as you do) and I have picked out the winner!

The winner of the free commission is;

No. 3!  Halfelfaedyn

PM within 24 hours to claim your picture! You can claim a full colour picture of your character!

And now for the runners up!

No. 6  Dawnchu

No. 4  BlueWolf77

No. 10  Coilette_suc

Congratulations to the runners up, who all win a festive con badge each! PM me within 24 hours to claim your badges!

Thanks again to all who entered and joined my watch list, it means a lot to me that you all decided to watch me!

-MM

Want a chance to win a special Christmas commission for you or a best friend? I am offering every watcher a chance to get a free picture just in time for Christmas!

How do you enter? Simple;

1. Watch me on this page!

2. Share this journal!

3. And link the journal as proof!

And I will issue you each a number. If you win, I will message you after the raffle and you can then claim your prize.

Oh and there will be other rewards too, such as con badges, to three runners up.

I am still open for commissions. If a Steam Sale comes by, be sure to give me a nudge, because I do accept Steam games too.

-MM

So I stayed on a little longer this evening at university to push on that little bit further and I have all my coursework for the semester finished off - hopefully the statistics work will be more fruitful.

Now that's all out of the way, it's time for commissions again. Last year, I drew, for a couple of friends, some festive pictures where they got into the Christmas spirit with some tasteful nudes. This year, I am going to draw some more of these, but also on commission - and I have spaces!

If you would like to commission these, just send me a message. I'm going to aim for the range of $15 for such a picture for one or $25 for a couple under the mistletoe. These are full colour, nicely detailed and I can happily adapt to deal with all proportions and anatomies. They will all be done in time for Christmas and, if they are a gift, I can delay the upload until the day in question.

Hope to hear from you guys soon!

-MM

The next few weeks are going to be the most intense I have put up with so far.

Next week, two pieces of coursework are due in. The first was simple - producing a presentation for a particular chemical compound used in medicine. I've done that, but will probably only get 50-60% for something I should have just done straight away, rather than fucking around at the beginning of the semester. The second is incredibly hard and has been nothing but a nightmare.

Easier said than done is a perfect choice of words - we have to write up a practical assessment we have previously carried out and then answer questions. Of the three practical sessions I have attended, I have only been able to acquire the results of two of them. The first has answers that are good, but the questions are ridiculous, because I don't know what to do and the internet is of no use, as per usual. The second has questions I could answer, If the results I got were any good. My classmates wasted my time by dicking around with the machine, so the spectra produced were all out of scale. And even when I stumbled upon a sound theory as a way of producing relatively believable, and educated, answers using arbitrary height units, none of my results could possibly correlate and now I have no way of answering it. So unless I get some help in the form of using the lab before my lectures tomorrow, it's a solid fail, which I really do not this early into the year.

Moving onto the next problem - sketching. I want to sketch, no two ways about it. It's a great opportunity to express some creativity and earn some much needed cash, just in time for Christmas. Problem is, I don't have many spaces left in my sketch book and haven't been able to get the much needed cash to grab a new one, so it's kind of sitting on my Christmas list, assuming no one forgets it. Anyway, unless someone pays upfront for a picture, I am kind of screwed with sketching, since the computer doesn't read my pen strokes properly. And also, I'm getting a little fed up of people popping up out of the blue, asking for commissions, asking if I work pro-bono (which I sometimes do in good faith) and then vanishing entirely, never replying to my messages and being unreachable. I've got pages of pictures, wasting my good space, from ungrateful little c@nts, who ditch the fare. So I'm feeling a little pissed about that. Plus, I have so little time to put together some of the requests in time for Christmas.

Okay, so my life is being rather crappy at the moment with all this on my plate. Forgive me if I jump in front of a bus or something.

-MM

This year, I will be putting together a very festive picture. In this yuletide piece, we'll be blurring the fine line between the naughty and nice list by sharing a few presents... whilst hiding our Christmas puddings and yule logs.

Want to be in it? I will be reserving a few places for some friends, but a few will be up for grabs. I'll do the prepose next weekend, keep an eye out for details.

I'm going to Scotiacon tomorrow. I promise I'll take plenty of photos.

Catch you later!

-MM