MovieChat Forums > Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie (2010) Discussion > An luke warm start that must get hotter!

An luke warm start that must get hotter!


Having pre-ordered the ultramarines film and after watching it several times I felt the urge to say a couple of my views about the film.

Like most warhammer 40,00 fans I had been eagerly been awaiting a studio to make a 40k film for many years, (not counting the low budget but very funny & often very passionate fan based ones) and it seemed completely natural and right for the very first film to be based on the adeptus astartes, in this case the ultramarines. I completely agree with their decision to start with this chapter as they are everything that encapsulates what it means to be a space marine, loyal and dedicated battle brother, after all their primarch created the codex Astartes as tactical and organisational template for other chapters to adhere. (although others do deviate) quite simply they are the poster boys for the imperium.

I also collected and painted this chapter amongst others when I was a teenager. So I was very pleased that they were chosen as the stars for the first film, perhaps they could choose another chapter in a future movie or possibly follow the inquisition.

Now like every fan I have in my minds eye everything a 7-8 ft tall genetically enhanced super human being should act and behave and having read countless 40k books by abnett, mc Neil etc my mind has had a lot of scenes that would've loved to be portrayed on film.

This was a glorious chance to satisfy my thirst, unfortunately it fell short.

One of my biggest gripes was with the animations in general. Yes I realise they were on a relatively tight budget and I applaud them for keeping it for them selves which gave them more creative freedom, a big Hollywood studio could've screwed it up big time. But I'm sure they could've made the sm move more fluid and what I envisage a giant in power armour to move like, it just didn't look right.

They were incredibly stiff and rigid, the armour enables them to move much faster and agile than how they were depicted on screen.

The space marines looked quite thin and feeble. In most drawn artwork they look the complete opposite.

I have the game space marine and I think they nailed it with how the space marines look and move in this, a lesson this producer could learn from in the future.

Brother pythos the apothecary was the most ridiculous excuse for a space marine I've ever had the displeasure of witnessing. I know they were trying to show the wise, veteran that they can look up to but he was absurd.

Yes space marines age but not in the same was mere mortals do and as they do they grow stronger and more powerful combined with experience and wisdom of countless centuries.

He looked like a a crust old fart. I get angry every time I see him on screen.

The Chaplin, voiced by the talented John hurt was ok except he was missing what makes a Chaplin a Chaplin. Passion and fire! Where the hell was his passion? He said no motivational speeches to rouse the troops for slaughter which was quite disappointing.

I really thought they done the thunder hawk gunship and land speeder exceptionally well but not enough air time. Probably due to financial constraints which is fine.

best thing is that there is such a wealth of stories, fluff for future films to draw from. The Horus heresy would be a tantalising prospect indeed.

Overall I believe they got the tone of the 40k universe done adequately and it was a decent beginning. I hope that this will be a stepping stone and they'll be able to build on this, and emperor willing a bigger budget with much better animation, minus the Geriatric.










" First you wanna kill me, now you wanna kiss me. Blow. "

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I agree. It wasn't terrible but may have been better at 1hr. Maybe they should make a load of 1hr installments.

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