Dale Robertson

I remember watching this so much as a kid in the 90’s. I was born towards the end of 92, 3 years after this was released in Australia. Only just found some old videos on YouTube and seriously the nostalgia and memories of a much simpler time was powerful. Absolutely love the seemingly simplistic story but the powerful messages within. Not many children’s stories like this anymore. I still have an original 96 chomper plush toy from the later movie. He is now 25 years old and I look forward to showing my kids these films one day and passing on my beloved toys. Much love for this film. Epitomised my childhood in so many wholesome ways and still does.

One further drop in cinematic film for western society for a plot line that is so enamoured with special effects and violence; that it forgets the core reason for any film to exist: for artistic expression, to inspire or to send a message. This film does none of that, except exhaust the viewer and leave them wondering whether all that pointless destruction was even necessary. To fight violence with violence does not lead to peace, it merely perpetuates it. We need films that are made for a reason, not solely for the purposes of making their actors and directors filthy rich; then maybe we’ll have quality films replacing trash like this...

I am constantly astounded by films and their apparent lack of plot. This film may have a plot, but it is so obscured by stylised violence and a Hollywoodised script that none of it can be taken seriously. I know it is not meant to be taken seriously, as the infamous Tarantino has used violence and ‘shock value’ to make his name since the early 90’s with reservoir dogs and then a few years later with pulp fiction. I resonate a lot with Ricky Gervais’ statements at the golden globes; that these actors and movie directors that willingly act out these abhorrent scenes ‘for laughs’, should really examine the effect they are having in this world. They are in no place to make social commentary or to be role models. That for someone like Tarantino who uses violence as a so called ‘artistic medium’; the scenes which he depicts against men and women alike are, for many, terrible things that they have had to endure. I fear for a culture that is so desensitised to the violence and sexual violence that these movies portray, that young people will see this and lose touch between reality and fiction...

I know that many people had a problem with Abby getting away at the end. To me, this was not the worst part. The worst part is that they almost left Ellie to some sort of life and happiness. Then she goes off to kill Abby once more; let’s her go and returns to what? Nothing. She endures (and we endure) level after level of nightmarish enemies and gruesome deeds for nothing. She loses everyone she loves and winds up alone. A story has to have some sort of hope for it to be worthwhile. My greatest problem with this game is it left me feeling hollow and empty. I will not be playing it again. Period. Instead of turning this into some political piece; how about creating a good story that at least leaves your audience glad that they played it.

An evocative and powerful piece of story telling. I have not played many video games through; quite so many times as I have this one. And each time it makes me see, feel or think something different. Do not play this if you are looking for complex game play. But if you are looking for a game that makes you think, not only on a societal level, but a philosophical and moral level, this is the game for you… far better story telling than most movies nowadays, with over 6,000 lines of script to account for all the different possible endings. Nothing short of genius.