The Gate ★★★★★

Review of 'The Gate' which can be found here on YouTube.

Length: 08:18

Written & directed by Matt Westrup

Genre: Sci-Fi

Date: 2011

Rating: ★★★★★

Logline: A government panel discuss a recent outbreak of human mutations caused by unregulated drugs.

This is a pretty cool short with extremely well crafted computer generated effects. There’s a mixture of tones and I won’t recommend sitting close to a computer screen wearing headphones when watching the opening sequence. This is  where the audience may think this is delving into the horror genre. Quick cuts are used to give a fright early on but the fear factor gets lessened by the introduction of the panel discussion, fact giving dialogue, the major use of broad daylight, and the fact that the mutated men don’t seem to have any harmful intent.

Production wise, this is top notch. Clear HD picture quality, well thought out shot composition, seamless special effects, detailed sound recording and fx’s too. Watch out for the oh so typical juddering camera work with intermittent focus adjustments which is a trademark technique for ‘found footage’-type sequences. Although probably used just as an aid to blend sfx’s into the live footage, it isn’t used consistently and so kind of renders itself redundant. It’s the only sequence shot in a first person perspective, all the rest are omnipotent so it somehow doesn’t fit in right.

It’s pretty much an ensemble cast although Dr Ackerman, played by John Mawson, eeks out a bit more as a possible protagonist. All performances are nicely done, feel controlled and understated and are true to each individual character.

The title relates to the bible quote at the beginning but not much more and there’s an added written message for viewers at the end warning against taking dodgy pharmaceuticals for real. Both of which bring additional layers of thought to the film. While the sfx’s are undoubtedly one of the highlights, the thoughtfully constructed structure, proficient dialogue and intriguing plot all combine together in such a way as to not make the effects mere spectacle but a integrated storytelling tool.

Best Bit: The way the generated creatures fit really well into their surroundings.

Worst Bit: Handheld camera stuff on the external shots.

Final thought: For anyone so inclined, there’s a cock shot if you catch the freeze frame at the right spot.

Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.