October 31, 2008

A Film Called Halo

> — Vociferous @ 12:00 am

Looking at the peril and promise of a Halo film…

(more…)

16 Comments

  1. Awesome! I am printing it out right now. Look forward to reading it!

    Comment by Caleb — October 31, 2008 @ 12:52 am


  2. Nice article voc. If they do make a film I hope it will be centered on either fall of reach or Halo: Combat Evolved. Think of the scene where the flood is introduced. In live action. Plus plenty of M6D.

    Comment by CakeTown — October 31, 2008 @ 4:30 pm


  3. where can I get the script. Please i would love to read it

    Comment by cj firefox — October 31, 2008 @ 7:37 pm


  4. It’s pretty good. The plot is solid although the details more than a little work; cinematography, dialog, and action. They’re all rather good (although you sort of stop writing cinematography after a while), but not quite on the level people would expect from a movie this big.

    I especially liked Absolution’s execution, the scene with Carter and Infected Williams, and the post-credits scene. The scene with Johnson coming out of the Flood bunker was iffy, as was the final fight between the Chief and Spark. For the latter I think you should have detailed how the Chief gets to Spark better. I suppose the former could be much better with music and on a screen instead of in silent writing.

    I found your departures from the game’s plot very well founded, and I found the inclusion of Phantom’s and mention of Miranda Keyes. Set’s up the sequels for a less jarring transition.

    The duel between the Chief and the Commander, and the arrival of Johnson at the Pillar of Autumn “in the nick of time” did seem more than a little cliche. Tastefully so, like the duel between Luke and Vader in Cloud City or Han arriving at the Death Star. There is something of a plot hole as to how Johnson acctually knew to go to the Autumn though. Perhaps Cortant should spread the word of their intentions.

    With some editing this script could make a truely awesome movie. Perhaps you should submit it.

    I wonder, did you write this with the image of a CG or live-action movie in mind?

    Comment by EldritchWarlord — October 31, 2008 @ 7:42 pm


  5. Indeed good stuff. Although, I think the novels ARE Halo and not just interesting side stories. But, in regard to making them into a movie, especially Fall of Reach, I’m 100 percent sure that everyone expected the first Halo movie to be about Halo: FoR. But, I understand that no one wants to see the Chief’s face.

    I regard to the script, nice work. Though, I think the action sequences could have been done better. I also don’t like that Keyes told MC about cole protocol and getting Cortana off the ship before she’s captured, even though the Covenant hadn’t done so yet.

    Omitting the Library, Two Betrayals and adding the fight between Chief and the future Arbiter was a good choice.

    In my opinion, if Halo was made into a movie, I’d want it to be filmed similar to the Halo: Landfall video. Like Saving Private Ryan, but in a sci-fi movie. No one’s ever done that before…

    Comment by MC Warhammer — November 1, 2008 @ 4:39 am


  6. Another thing, I think the Emissary and his skulls made the Elites look barbaric. You should have left that to the Brutes or just gotten rid of it.

    Comment by MC Warhammer — November 1, 2008 @ 4:45 am


  7. Very nice job. With a very few exceptions, I thought the script read well and would make a great movie. Amazing effort.

    Comment by Siliconmaster482 — November 1, 2008 @ 4:12 pm


  8. Excellent piece here guys. One thing that stands out to me the most is a lot of people talk about the Halo movie, what it should and shouldn’t be. Vociferious said what he thought, then wrote a honest to gosh script. As the kids say nowadays, zOMG!

    That’s pretty hardcore, good sir. I certainly appreciate it, and thank you for contributing to the discussion in such a significant way. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Comment by SonofMacPhisto — November 1, 2008 @ 7:22 pm


  9. the community now have a script… what if the community made the film…

    Comment by lordpratt — November 3, 2008 @ 7:10 pm


  10. Hell, of a read Voc. That blows away Alex Garlands script. Absolution’s execution was a highlight, as well was the fight between the Chief and Commander. I love your idea of the flood “in the shadows” so to speak. I could use some editing, like explaining how Keyes,Johnson, and the Chief got off the Truth and Reconciliation. Or how Johnson knew to go to the Autumn ‘in the nick of time’. Overall, this could be a blockbuster in Hollywood, and especially if you made a second draft and submitted it. You might have a future in cinema writing, who knows?

    Comment by Desert Rat — November 3, 2008 @ 7:37 pm


  11. Just incredible. everything is just so well adapted into a form that wont drag or seem like a disgrace to halo. nice.

    Comment by Lee_Jinn — November 4, 2008 @ 12:06 am


  12. First off, I’d just like to say that this is an excellent script, and admire you for undertaking this, well, undertaking. Then though I have a few questions from the critic in me. Why do you follow the events of Halo:CE so closely? After that, why do you alter so many things (dialogue from Halo:CE in particular) from the games? Did you do it on purpose? Now lastly and less criticizing – have you considered a Halo 4 type of story for a script? These things aside, I loved the script but thought there were a ton of areas you could’ve done stuff better, added in something, or cut a scene. What would really be great now is if you made another one – and make it even better =P.

    Comment by Marginis — November 4, 2008 @ 11:39 pm


  13. @ Marginis: The problem with a script for a “Halo 4” is that that falls strictly in the realm of fan fiction. While it may be fun to do, it doesn’t get you anywhere in the series because all Bungie has to do is reveal contrary information and you’re sunk. I’m not saying writing fan fiction is bad (I’m writing one now), but I am saying that writing a script for that detracts from the purpose of a Halo movie.

    Besides, I believe that it would be overly akward to make a movie that can only be understood in the context of a series of three video games and six novels that come before it, whereas Vociferous’ script neatly deals with many of the major themes of Halo, even to those with little understanding of the series beforehand.

    Comment by the silver fox — November 7, 2008 @ 6:26 pm


  14. The Idea I had was movie of combat evolved and depending on how long the combat evolved part is put in parts of first strike or just make the movie of first strike. Because I reckon people who havent read first strike but played the games would want to know how the chief and Johnson got home. Like in Halo 2: the armory the guy asked Johnson how he got home in one piece. There I’ve made my point.

    Comment by AWOL — April 13, 2009 @ 6:38 pm


  15. I though your script was good but I do not like your idea of not using the books for reference. I do agree that a Halo movie should be on the games not the books but I think it is okay if there are references and information from the books.

    Comment by Yay295 — April 23, 2009 @ 4:48 pm


  16. I loved it. It was amazing.But i just don’t think its faithful enough to the books and games. while it is faithful, and i understand the need to cut parts out, but things just don’t happen the way bungie makes them happen. It is not at all a disgrace, but rather just incorrect in some ways, there by offending huge fans. i realize that some things must be changed other wise it just wouldnt work, but some things just shouldnt be changed. But otherwise, i loved it.

    Comment by keltic chicken — June 11, 2009 @ 12:45 am