MovieChat Forums > Raptor Island (2004) Discussion > It's a given that...

It's a given that...

posted 20 years ago by t__cruise
5 replies | jump to latest

It's a given that the production values will not be that of a major studio project. That said, some of the SCI-FI channel original films, although not great cinema are entertaining. Before watching a SCI-FI original production I wouldn't have expectations of seeing something of the caliber of "Aliens," "Jurassic Park," or "Terminator II." With "Raptor Island" I'm looking forward to an entertaining, sci-fi/actioner, with stars Lorenzo Lamas and Steven Bauer. Both seldom fail to deliver, even in some of their bad "I'm doing this for the money" straight to cable or video films. Sure, the Raptor FX won't be of the quality of the three "Jurassic Park" films. I don't expect that quality in a low budget made for TV film. But, at least the raptors won't be won't be claymation. Just take "Raptor Island" for what it is, without comparing the production values to that of a major studio release. It's a get out the microwave popcorn, and have some fun film. I can enjoy great cinema. But, I also enjoy low budget action/sci-fi films, with stars like Lamas and Bauer. The success of the film will be based on their Q quotients, their ability rise above the script, and make me believe what I'm seeing. I doubt whether Bauer and Lamas would allow "Raptor Island" to sink to the level of something that should have premiered on MST3K.

T.C.

[–] 20 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] otisfirefly2001 20 years ago

She is not that great.

[–] tabaddon 20 years ago

> But, at least the raptors won't be won't be claymation.

Actualy, there was one point (I think in an underground scene) where they were very jerky, and I thought, Holy crow, claymation! LOL I didn't really think it was, but it looked that way - there was some jerkiness that piled bad upon bad.

> Just take "Raptor Island" for what it is, without comparing the production values to that of a major studio release.

I agree, I never expect too mch from a SciFi (or any cable) original, and most are entertaining enough, but this was even bad for that. I was actually quite disappointed. Unfortunately, this is what you get with a six-day shoot (not that uncommon for this kind of thing) and graphics done by a game lab. Great ways to save money, but a bad way to make a movie. The effects weren't just bad, but they were too distracting to enjoy the movie as a whole.

I'm sure this was a labor of love for someone (maybe not SciFi channel, or even the producers, but somebody), starting with good intentions, but executed poorly. I'm not just talking about special effects or the miserable writing (it doesn't cost a penny to tighten up a script) - in the end product, even the story was too weak to really care about. Viewers are supposed to root for the good guys, and frankly, I didn't feel compelled to care if they were eaten, fell into lava, or stubbed their toes. The only thing Raptor Island might really be good for is Action Writing 101, as it was very formulaic and easy to follow.

From a fortune cookie: "Be Quicker of Mind Than of Tongue"

[–] namaGemo 13 years ago

They would not use CLAYmation in a film like this, nor have they ever used CLAY in most stopmotion films portraying characters seen in movies where the monsters are added through a split screen process. It's called stop motion animation, and the PUPPETS are not made of clay, but have articulated armatures, the armatures are either built around by foam and latex, or a clay sculpture is made, cast, and foam injected into the mold surrounding the armature (skeleton). The model is foam, not clay.
Honestly, some of the best animators in the world would make the crap CGI of Raptor Island look as bad as they are. A great animator can do wonders, where a 5hitty CGI artist gives you pathetic trash as in Raptor Island. Whether something appears to be real is based on the artist, not the medium.