Blowing Smoke

Another awesome short from Neato.
Really excellent blocking, direction, and performances.
I mean, it's perfect.
A worthy addition to the Metal Gear franchise.

Neato out here raising the BAR!!! I didn’t know these humble music video creators had this in them!! This fuckin RIPS!!! Luca was moving like agent SINS! The blocking at the start is SOO good! The kinetic camera movement keeps the whole thing pumping! I am a big fan of a goofy premise that's executed with serious intent, and NEATO nailed it! Also a huge fan of the guy getting drowned in the punch bowl! The extra effort of doing the SFX makeup for the cracker ninja star was not lost on me! Easily the best 80s action movie that wasn’t an 80s action movie! My only note is that in the shot of the cake being put on the table outside, the candle is clearly OUT! Took me out of the movie for just a moment, but all is forgiven for the banger of an ending! Amazing work team!

Had so much fun watching this one! Really dynamic camera work and I LOVED the sfx on the rice cracker shurikans!

What I liked:
Revenge over a stolen wish? Clever concept – liked it a lot. Great performances by our lead, and I enjoyed the smoky, determined voice-over. The fight sequence is very, very cool – plenty of action, cheap shots and great use of the environment and everything in it. Superbly filmed and edited and just a heap of fun. Maximum points for nailing the “think it’s done but it’s not” moments.

Take it or leave it:
Yeah, the candle was clearly out when put down on the table, in glorious close-up!

Final hot air:
An OTT revenge flick that absolutely perfects every moment. Should do very well at the finals.

Who amongst us in childhood didn’t have our candles blown out by someone else – such a relatable grudge and funny motivator for this action-filled revenge film! This film was a standout – really great pace, dynamic camera work, great cuts and transitions, solid sound design, and fun acting all combine for a hell of a good time. The SFX makeup with crackers slicing into the face – oh my god! One of our favourite action-based shorts this year.

A great premise, beautifully silly and earnest in its execution. A gruff villain. A pixellated childhood photo. Intense action brilliantly edited. Sexy stuntwork. Some really trippy shots. The broken arm has me absolutely wincing. The ninja crackers are delightful, as is the near-drowning in the punch bowl. Lovely pay-off at the end.