Title: GENE-FUSION
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy Animation
Artwork/Stills: Click Here
Movie Trailer: Click Here
PURCHASE: Click Here
DVD UPC: 039414581959 | DVD: $24.95 SRP | RUNNING TIME: 80 minutes | RATED: PG
IN 2310, GLADIATORS ARE MADE – NOT BORN!
Animated Sci-fi Feature – Based on the Worldwide Comic Book Series Phenomenon – Comes to DVD, VOD & Digital May 10th !
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MIAMI, FL — MTI Home Video, the premier studio for independent filmmakers, will release their first animated film; the sci-fi fantasy hit GENE-FUSION, on DVD, VOD and Digital Download May 10, 2011. The film is based on Jeff Amano’s (Red Warrior) phenomenally successful comic book and the comic book mini-series written by Ivan Brandon (Doc Savage, Viking), illustrated by Neil Vokes (Dr Strange: From The Marvel Vault), and inked by Jay Geldhof (Grendel).
“In the year 2310, a new sport, “Gene-Fusion,” is all the rage! In this exciting game, specially trained athletes, called Fusers, design their own super-creature by combining three forms of animal DNA… Four teens, seemingly plucked from obscurity, are trained to be Fusers. They become instant celebrities as they perform before sold out crowds. But what they don’t know is that each of them has a role to play in an alien conspiracy to take over the world. Only through learning to work together as a team can these four, young heroes take on this alien threat and save the planet from destruction!”
GENE-FUSION was directed by François Brisson (Cinar’s Les Exploits D’Arsene Lupin), written by Gabriel Benson (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty, Fade From Grace) and produced by Shaun McLaughlin (Batman Beyond, Justice League Unlimited). The film stars Nicolas Canuel, Mark William Hauser, Kaniehtiio Horn, Alison Louder.
REVIEW:
This time on the INSIDE EDITION, I will be reviewing the animated feature: GENE-FUSION. First off I would like to thank Ed of mti Home Video for the promotional preview.
At first glance it is a very interesting concept. I would have to say that the ideas utilized here are used in most modern animation. The Fusers are existent in Batman Beyond albeit a slightly different version where humans actually merge. This however had a more Pokemon-ish / Yu Gi Oh vibe to it in the monster battles, creations, and rewards. It does redeem itself with an interesting twist to how the concept is used. The alien addition to the film makes for a great twist.
It introduces you to your typical characters. You start with your typical business transactions of a rich entertainer (Leechur), a just body guard who’s a champion fuser (Gorath), and your betrayed science guy which in this case happens to be an evil alien (Wax). They obtain a specific DNA formula that allows for the fusions of various creatures. It later jumps years into the future and you end up with four teenagers whom are your stereotypical orphans who find out they’re part alien. Despite the stereotypes they were still likeable characters.
THE MENU:
The menu setup wasn’t bad but was pretty much your basic film menu. In my case I prefer a smaller menu that just gets to the films’ specific parts.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The Special Features category is non-existant here. I almost wish that there was some sort of behind the scenes and informational for those watching this. I found myself in the midst of this transaction in the beginning confused of what was going on and then by the end had the concept but was still confused of the whole continuity.
AUDIO:
The audio was for the most part one of the best additions to the film. Between the music, sound effects and most of the voice casting it was great. Some of the characters were off to me. Wax I felt should have had more of a raspy deeper sounding voice but the others I believe were nailed right on the head.
VISUALS:
The visuals…have their ups and downs. I liked the nods to more modern aniamtion but it was severely lacking. I can see the style they were going for but the animation is clunky feeling in most areas. That and the way the human characters were handled as far as hair and texture. It makes me feel like I am watching a mid 1990’s animation series (IE: ReBoot, War Planets, etc.). I felt in that area this could have been much better. On the same note though some newer children’s cartoons feature similar basic 3D animation styles. So it’s a double edged sword that left me distracted in the whole of the film.
OVERVIEW:
All in all I liked GENE-FUSION. The concept was great, as were the writing, characters and most everything else. I would be curious to see something explaining more of this franchises origin and wonder if this was a pilot for a possible television show. I would be interested in seeing how this progresses unlike most others that I have seen review this movie. I just felt the animation overall could have been better. Not bad and I would definitely give it at least a watch before a purchase.
OVERALL SCORES:
- MENU: 4.0 out of 5.0
- AUDIO: 5.0 out of 5.0
- VISUAL: 3.0 out of 5.0
- SPECIAL FEATURES: 0.0 out of 5.0
- STORY: 4.5 out of 5.0
- OVERALL: 3.3 out of 5.0
