By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
From Adi Shankar (Castlevania) and Netflix comes a creative fusion of animation, video games and 80s and 90s pop culture that will entertain and inspire an audience in a way I didn’t think possible!
First and foremost, while this is very much a Ubisoft sandbox, these characters are “based on” rather than the actual characters from their specific video games. So view them all with the approach that these are those characters but on a separate and merged timeline. I’d approach it like Fables, you know the characters, but not “these characters”. Likewise, despite the name, this series is only very loosely based on Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.
Sticking with the characters, be prepared for many Ubisoft characters – Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Beyond Good and Evil and more… be ready to be engulfed with character after character! However, with that said, it is not as overwhelming as it sounds. It’s not as intense as Ready Player One for example. It’s difficult to go into too much detail without reaching spoiler territory, but sticking with the main cast, there are some great character interpretations and performances! Nathaniel Curtis (Captain Dolph Laserhawk) is incredible, delivering a deeply emotive portrayal of, what could easily become, a very one-dimensional character. Caroline Ford (Sarah Fisher), David Menkin (Rayman) and Balak (Bullfrog) are great in their roles, with each bringing their unique flavouring to the mix!
In terms of the animation and art style, it is a visual throwback to 90s anime, but with a modern polish, and this works incredibly well. As well as pulling from a range of anime styles and tropes, Captain Laserhawk comes into its own when it blends with the video game elements. They lay the groundwork for this in the very first episode, with a great nod to Metal Gear (1987) – but they don’t stop there! From pixel gaming, point and click and even FMV (Full Motion Video game) – Shankar pulls out all the stops and has created something that is both visually stunning and unique. I was genuinely in awe of the creative and artistic approach they took, and hopefully, you will be as well!
As for the story, despite the graphic gore elements and mature themes, at its core, the story is incredibly heartfelt. Despite only being six episodes, in this first series, the writing is slick and connected, allowing for plenty of character exploration and development, as well as an action-packed and ingenious oraching story. They also do not shy away from the queer elements of the storytelling, and this representation and the way it is presented is perfect.
Overflowing with ingenuity and artistry, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix is an innovative infusion of animation and video games, full of great action, stunning visuals and at its core, a heartfelt story that will leave viewers in awe of this idiosyncratic masterpiece.
X-Geeks 