Reviewed by Jason Meckes

I was so surprised when I started this up, I had nearly forgotten that I starred in it! Haha, but still, as a testviewer, I tried to keep a critical eye on the movie. Surprisingly, I really didn't find that much out of place to tell Mike about.

The animation is fairly top notch. Some good moving scenery, good mixtures of default characters with handmade appendages, often nice backgrounds, and, most importantly, interesting designs. I wanted to explore this remote town on the lake, it looked lush enough to house any adventure or story I could think up. That's great, it adds a lot to the viewing experience!

The music was, I believe, the highlight of the film. Very consistant throughout, with well-placed cues, beautiful sound, and everything else that we as 3dmmers are totally not used to. The tracks seemed well suited for each situation, and I hadn't a single complaint in this area. Genius at work.

The cinematics were a mixed bag for me. I told Mike to try and make certain lengthy scenes (Primarily at the beginning) a little more rewarding by adding some more natural movement (Or even a cap running by), but I understand how that could've made things slightly more cheesy.. and it was kinda sunny out around then, too. But anywho, yeah there were moments where the camera told a marvelous story, and I was in awe (See the final scene, very beginning scenes, and numerous others). Othertimes, primarily in dialogue scenes, my eye got bored by the regurgitation of the same angles on both the people and their surroundings. There was a good deal of well-thought cropping, letting the eye fill in what the screen doesn't show. This is a rare feature in 3dmm flicks, so points given there. Timing was fairly good in areas, though the first half seemed to lag quite a bit. As soon as the final sundown starts, things pick up and fit together pretty well.

As for the story, it wasn't exactly my cup of proverbial tea, but it more than got the job done. I didn't see really why we were shown so much of Sarah's life. I mean, sure, it fills out the character, but what are we supposed to feel at the end where everyone and everything she knew, minus Henry, was dead at the end of the movie. Henry's family was played as a loving group, but they met the same terrible end as Sarah's abusive mother. Morally, it gives a very bitter taste to the end of the movie. The main characters now have nothing left but eachother, and their relationship never spawned past childrens' fondness. Everyone died for the sake of one thing - To prove that the gnomes are truely ruthless, hatefilled creatures. That's not really much of a climax or epiphany in my book. On the other hand, it was sort of a release...a revival for Sarah herself, but Henry survives only for the sake of survival. Yeah, well.. it's a horror I guess. Also, I didn't get the part where Sarah's dad visits her. Is her whole abusive family just her own imagination?! Maybe another watch or two will reveal the answers.

Voice acting, for the most part, was top notch. I really, really liked the voice for Sarah.. in most parts, at least. She sounded like a legitimate girl, not over-dramatic or, as we are ALL to accustomed to around here, totally bland. I liked it. Henry, on the other hand, I didn't feel had any life in his voice. It was often quiet, reserved, and frankly boring. Admittedly, very fitting for the character, but still a hurdle for the audience to pay attention to for the bulk of the movie.

Overall, Gnomes succeeds in keeping my attention, successfully combining a bunch of genres and techniques rather well. I was so, so, so very pleased that Mike handled the gnomes very professionally. Sure, he knew that everyone wanted to see these weird creatures in full light, but that would seriously sacrifice the entire movie. He did it right, and I commend him for that. Ramza provided one of the best soundtracks ever heard in this community. A great team accomplishes a great deal, I see!

8/10
The first and only true 3dmm thriller. It's sluggish moments are soon forgotten as we become enveloped in the world of the woods