"The Ultimate Avengers" DTV Speculation Thread (Spoilers) [Archive] - Page 2

Desifoxy

01-10-2006, 07:47 PM

I didn't notice this upon my initial view of the website, but if you move your mouse across each individual Avenger on the main page, after clicking you can read a bio of each character and save their individual wallpaper/AIM icon to your computer.

The new screenshots look great, as does the official website in general. The backgrounds in each shot look gorgeous, they have a real X-Men Evolution level of quality to them.
This is actually a new feature. They are updating the website almost everyday!

Edited:
Here is the comparison between the images that were captured from the trailer and the images that have been realesed on the site's gallery:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/desifoxy/im.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/desifoxy/hulk.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/desifoxy/CA.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/desifoxy/thor.jpg

Pyro

01-10-2006, 11:03 PM

Hmmm. It seems that the animation for the trailer is not the same type of animation we're getting for the actual movie. The newest pics look a lot more like Steven E. Gordon's drawings, and though I love his style, I think I prefer the images on the left. (sans the CA with no stripes). It just seems more detailed, like look at these pictures side by side:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/PyroX/ua13.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/PyroX/06.jpg

Either way, I'm sure the animation will still be amazing.

Spider-Friends

01-11-2006, 11:55 AM

Can't help but wonder if this is footage from the test reel the animation company did instead of footage from the actual movie.

Looks like I was right. The trailer footage is apparently the test footage that the animation company did in order to win the job. That explains why the Hulk is grey when we had all read that he would be green in the movie. He IS green in the movie. So now we know the trailer is not at all indicative of what the movie will look like.

Desifoxy

01-11-2006, 06:49 PM

I would love to see the pilot/test footage on the DVD as a special feature.

James Harvey

01-11-2006, 07:31 PM

While not listed on the official website yet, the tentative list of extras for The Ultimate Avengers Vol. 1 is as follows:

-Presented in 1.77:1 anamorphic widescreen
-Dolby Digital 5.1 sound
-Avengers trivia subtitle track
-"Avengers Assemble" featurette
-"The Ultimate Voice Talent Search" featurette
-"The Ultimate Avengers Vol. 2 First Look
-"Which Avengers Are For You?" DVD-ROM game

These listings can change without notice before the press release or official release.

Expect appearances by Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch, and Craig Kyle in the featurettes. Is it safe to ask if occasional visitor Steve Gordon makes an appearance?

(The Ultimate Avengers DTV News Thread (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=116551))

Duke

01-12-2006, 01:45 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if the test footage appears on the "Avengers Assemble" featurette.

Stu

01-12-2006, 02:07 PM

A brief piece on the film's marketing, from a few months back.

The Biz: Lions Gate's Ultimate Marketing; Sundance Tangos With Sponsors
November 28, 2005

To reach boys 6-11 and fanboys 18-54 alike, Lions Gate Home Entertainment and Marvel will corral their marketing might for the first direct-to-video title in their eight-pic deal, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie.

The effort for the Feb. 21, 2006, release includes traditional and in-the-community marketing in the $5-7 million range that is expected to deliver 500 million impressions.

For the first-ever animated movie from Marvel—in which superheroes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and others band together to save the world—boys and dads will be targeted through a broad campaign that includes TV (Fox, Comedy Central, Spike, Sci-Fi, TBS, ESPN, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Toon Disney), print (Marvel Comics, XBox Magazine, Wizard) and online (IGN, Google, Yahoo!). The campaign was created in-house.

Additionally, the title will be trailered on Fox's Fantastic 4 DVD (Dec. 6) and on some Lions Gate DVDs. The Ultimate Avengers movie will be featured on "Tooned-In" school menus distributed nationwide to more than four million students in grades 2-5.

To reach older comic book "fan boys," Lions Gate and Marvel will distribute 2,000 posters to local comic book stores, animé shops and Internet cafes in the top 20 markets and have a presence at comic conventions. Additionally, they will target a niche within a niche.

"When we did the research we found an incredible correlation between the film and comic book fans, but also gaming fans," said Michael Rathauser, vp-Lions Gate Home Entertainment. "We'll aggressively target [that market] through ads in stores where they shop, in magazines they read and online."

Account-specific retail programs and brand partners also are expected, but no deals have been finalized.

Source: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/magazine/columns/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001570818

screw on head

01-13-2006, 09:52 PM

This isn't much in the way of news at this point, but 'the site that cannot be named' has word that the film will have its 'world premiere' at Wondercon on Saturday, February 11th at 5:30pm, just ten days before the DVD's release on the 21st.

Anyone planning to be there to see it?

James Harvey

01-13-2006, 09:52 PM

From the WonderCon website (http://www.comic-con.org/wc/wc06_prog_premier.shtml), they have further details:

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/jimharvey/ultavg.jpg

On Saturday, Feb. 11, at 5:30pm, it's the World Premiere of Ultimate Avengers: The Movie! Marvel's mightiest heroes come to life in their first animated film from Marvel Animated Features and Lionsgate based on the top-selling comic book series, The Ultimates. The DVD doesn't come out until Feb. 21, but you can see this great, animated movie in its entirety ONLY at WonderCon before it debuts! Plus, dress up as your favorite Ultimates or Avengers hero and have the opportunity to be one of the first to own the DVD before it's released! The top 25 costumes will receive a free advance copy at the screening!

Karl Malone

01-13-2006, 10:55 PM

I love that Captain America design! I wasn't too thrilled with his costume in the trailer images, but this one looks great. Glad to see they kept those silly wings off his mask (helmet?) too.

So wrong, Cap's mask wings are a timeless staple in the costume and to remove them is sacrelgious and just plain lazy as far as I'm concerned. There's no reason to delete them, the mask will perpetually look incomplete without them. It looks too bland and generic in the cranium area.

It's AS bad as leaving the bat ears off Batman's cowl. Is there a Cap WITH wings AND without in the film? Like a flashback with the wings and cut to current times without the wings or something?

For the record The Ultimates does NOTHING for me in the comics, The Avengers needs to be done right in the Busiek style.

S.C.B

01-14-2006, 09:34 AM

For the record The Ultimates does NOTHING for me in the comics, The Avengers needs to be done right in the Busiek style.

So you won't be watching, then.

Karl Malone

01-14-2006, 11:51 AM

So you won't be watching, then.

From what I understand by reading this thread is that the movie is an amalgam of both Avengers versions but I'll believe it when I see it.

What bothers me is they consider it "Captain America's story" and they're f'ing with it because Cap more than any Marvel character deserves an animated series and the spotlight of true comic book glory WITH his FULL costume.

Also a black Nick Fury is just silly and clearly a forced racial affirmative action to look cool. Sort of copying from the JLU animated series John Stewart Green Lantern (though he did exist in the comics) and Daredevil's movie Kingpin. The new trend is to take a classic character and make them black to look cool, like a Blackquaman. If Fury was around in their continuity in the 40's with Cap (via flashback) then it would be impossible for black man to have that position of power and authority back then as well.

Karl Malone

01-14-2006, 12:00 PM

P.S. Looking at the stills I have question. It shows Cap with both his new "utility belt" and his basic black belt he always wears, are there two versions of Cap in terms of costume and character design in the film?:confused:

screw on head

01-15-2006, 05:42 PM

TheDigitalBits.com (http://www.thedigitalbits.com) has some of the menu screens (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#men) from the DVD.

Pretty spiffy. I'm a little disappointed we're not getting a commentary track on this, but that aside, the features sound pretty cool, and the menus on the whole look pretty good, even if those are only a thumbnail view.

Stu

01-15-2006, 06:05 PM

With previews of the film occuring soon, and screener copies apprantly available, I'd expect things to start heating up on the promotional side of things. With the film only a few short weeks ago, I wouldn't be surprised to see ads in comics, magazines and a few creator interviews pop up here and there.

And that first chapter title... "Suicide Mission" with Captain America in his World War II costume... the more I see of this, the more I look forward to it...

James Harvey

01-15-2006, 10:15 PM

Here's a hi-res shot of the cover art for the DVD release. Click on the image for a closer look.

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/jimharvey/t-avengerdvd.jpg (http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/jimharvey/avengerdvd.jpg)

Spider-Man

01-17-2006, 07:21 AM

Is anyone going to try and make it to the WonderCon show to see the premiere? I assume a couple comic sites willcover that. I'd like to see some pre-release DVD reviews. I'm hoping that the featurettes are more than they appear to be. I know they will probably only be around 10 minutes long each but given how much ofa big deal with is for Marvel it'd be nice to get some special extras.

The Overlord

01-18-2006, 01:47 PM

Here is the entire voice cast from an issue of Wizard that was out a few months ago:

Captain America: Justin Gross (video games like S.W.A.T, Ninja Gaidan and Fight Club)

The Hulk: Fred Tatasciore (voices in Robot Chicken and Family Guy)

Bruce Banner: Michael Massee (Ira Gaines on the first season of 24)

Giant Man: Nolan North (video games like Eversquest II, Area 51, and 2004's Punisher)

Iron Man: Marc Worden (Future-Parasite in JLU episode "Epilogue")

Nick Fury: Andre Ware (voiced Nick Fury in Fantastic Four video game)

The Wasp: Grey Delisle (voices in The Batman and Justice League)

Black Widow: Olivia D'Abo (older sister from Wonder Years, Morgan Le Fay and Star Sapphire from Justice League)

Thor: Dave Boat (video games like Psychonauts, Twisted Metal: Head On, and Command & Conquer: Generals)

Betty Ross: Nan McNamara (tv show cameos like Who's the Boss, Perfect Strangers and Melrose Place)

screw on head

01-18-2006, 08:00 PM

Steve Gordon has a special treat at his blog (http://stevenegordon.blogspot.com/).

Awesome Steve! Couldn't ask for a better looking Captain America.

Comments?

Spider-Friends

01-19-2006, 11:57 AM

Steve Gordon has a special treat at his blog (http://stevenegordon.blogspot.com/).

Awesome Steve! Couldn't ask for a better looking Captain America.

Comments?

That's awesome that he posts this stuff! Thanks Steve!

screw on head

01-20-2006, 04:14 PM

IGN has a brand new TRAILER online. This should put to rest any doubts about the film's animation quality. Click on the image below to give it a look.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/triumphdog/ult_avengers_011906_qthighwide_thum.jpg (http://media.comics.ign.com/media/734/734933/vids_1.html)

J-Ranger

01-20-2006, 06:02 PM

Awesome! Looks amazing. I can't wait now, just a few more weeks.

thanos28542

01-20-2006, 06:34 PM

Just checked it out. It looks real good & I will definitaly be picking this up come Feb 21st!:D

Desifoxy

01-20-2006, 06:42 PM

Looks good, but Nick Fury's voice doesnt suit him. Samuel L. Jackson or the guy who did Nick's voice in the USM game shouldve done it.

EJill34

01-20-2006, 08:51 PM

Looks good, but I hope the movie's score is better than the music used in that trailer.

Stu

01-22-2006, 10:43 AM

Fun trailer. Whilst Captain America's voice was a little off to me, this looks like it's going to be great fun. The animation does look spectacular, and the direction looks to be spot on. That shot of Cap throwing that mirror into's the guys stomach looks brutal.

Roll on February...

Spider-Friends

01-22-2006, 09:17 PM

I had some of the same qualms mentioned here (the music and Cap's voice), but the animation looks as good as X-Men: Evolution. I'm pleased.

Desifoxy

01-23-2006, 07:23 PM

http://ultimateavengers.com/
They just released Special Features and the DVD can be preordered.
But the funny thing, you can actually access the special feature. But the "First look at Ultimate Avengers 2" thing hasnt been released yet.

Zero Signal

01-24-2006, 12:00 AM

That new trailer is awesome, and I'm really looking forward to this. I've never read a whole lot of classic Avengers stuff (I think I have 3 of their original comics) so Ultimates is about all I know of them. Everything is looking great right now, and I only have the minorest of nitpicks (I still can't believe they cut off Thor's beard! Maybe facial hair = villian or something). I'm hoping this does really well and opens the door for more animated adaptations of favorite stories.

Stu

01-24-2006, 06:06 PM

Since IGN has been acting dodgy with the trailer, if any of you are having trouble viewing it, PM me with your email address. :)

screw on head

01-24-2006, 06:13 PM

The Special Features section of the official website offers a nice little preview of the DVD's featurettes. On the whole, I think the promotional site is surprisingly well done.

The IGN trailer is pretty stunning animation wise, and it's well editted to boot. The trailer deserves bonus points for using what sounds like Jim Cummings (Darkwing Duck) as the voice over. I'm really digging the 'no hard lines' look for the film, it's a very nice touch, as is that hollywood/comic book lighting on the side of each character. Again, this film just keeps looking better and better...

I came across a new Bryan Hitch interview (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=004686), here's the part of it where he talks about his involvement for this movie and its sequel:

THE PULSE: What was your role in the upcoming Ultimates animated movie?

HITCH: I starred as the Wasp. Really. I also designed some stuff for the second film that I hadn't done in the series, and drew the promo art and box cover. Other than that, the involvement was just having done the book it was so closely adapted from in the first place.

THE PULSE: How does it feel to have something based on your work made into a cartoon like this? What do you think of the pieces you've seen so far of the animation?

HITCH: It looks great, the kids loved the preview copy I was sent and I'm sure it will do solid business in the intended market place. I don't have any particular attachment to it as a project since to me it's essentially a second hand project based on work Mark and I had already done to the best of our abilities. I certainly don't mean for this to sound even remotely negative, I've been very supportive of the project but it's based on a project we worked hard to get right. This is like somebody presenting us with a cover version, it's nice, it's flattering that the work was thought highly of, but it's not ours and we don't gain anything directly from its success.

I'm sure it will be successful taken on its own merits and lead the charge from Marvel's new and improved animation division. Lots more to come there.

Spider-Man

01-26-2006, 07:26 AM

The new issue of Wizard has a small little write-up for this release. It does add anything new to what we know but they do say that the sneek preview for the second The Ultimate Avengers DTV will contain some designs and storyboards but it was also show a character who has never been "ultimate"-ized yet. Any idea on who that can be?

Spider-Friends

01-26-2006, 11:23 AM

...also show a character who has never been "ultimate"-ized yet. Any idea on who that can be?

Has the Red Skull been given the Ultimate treatment yet?

Stu

01-26-2006, 01:21 PM

Has the Red Skull been given the Ultimate treatment yet?
That's who I assumed too. Either him or Ultron.

Remember Mark Hamill has a small role in this film... perhaps he'll play a bigger part in the sequel?

Bobbywoodhogan

01-27-2006, 04:23 PM

I really hope its Red Skull, one of the best villains ever.

http://www.captain-america.us/images/wallpaper/warposters/red-skull.jpg

I didn't mind Cap's voice it sounded kinda young and if I remember correctly when Steve is still turned into Cap he's only young.

Hypestyle

01-27-2006, 05:42 PM

:o

what's that poster from?

James Harvey

01-27-2006, 08:33 PM

Marvel Animation Age (http://marvel.toonzone.net/avengers/media/gallery/) has six new images from The Ultimate Avengers now online. These include three promo images and three images from the film itself. Click on the link above are on the image below to check them out!

http://marvel.toonzone.net/avengers/media/gallery/t-01.jpg (http://marvel.toonzone.net/avengers/media/gallery/)

Spider-Man

01-29-2006, 02:01 PM

I think my favorite picture in this new batch is the one with Hulk and Captain America.

http://marvel.toonzone.net/avengers/media/gallery/02.jpg

That is a great looking Hulk right there!

Desifoxy

01-29-2006, 03:56 PM

He is gray again.

ShadowDemon

01-29-2006, 06:43 PM

Has anyone seen the whole thing yet? If so, can they comment on whether or not they dropped the more objectionable mischaracterizations from the original comics, like Cap kicking Banner in the face? I've been told that the characterizations are supposed to be more faithful to the 616 Avengers.

ShadowDemon

01-29-2006, 06:44 PM

He is gray again.

Look again...that's a night scene...he's a "dusky green" that greys out when light isn't on him.

Bobbywoodhogan

01-30-2006, 05:21 PM

:o

what's that poster from?
Found it on Google

J-Ranger

01-30-2006, 08:11 PM

When does this movie come out again?

Bird Boy

01-30-2006, 08:53 PM

When does this movie come out again?

It's really not that hard to find. Amazon, Google...hell it's in this thread about two hundred times.

In any case, it's 2/21.

-BB

J-Ranger

01-30-2006, 11:30 PM

It's really not that hard to find. Amazon, Google...hell it's in this thread about two hundred times.

In any case, it's 2/21.

-BB
Yeah but that's the beauty of laziness. I knew someone would respond to my question leaving me with no effort to find out on my own.

Bird Boy

01-31-2006, 12:13 AM

Yeah but that's the beauty of laziness. I knew someone would respond to my question leaving me with no effort to find out on my own.

In the same amount of time it took you to type this and the above posts, you could've typed "www.amazon.com" and searched "ultimate avengers" and had your answer.

If you want to be that lazy, I've no qualms. It just makes for a pointless string of posts.

-BB

peiffman1

01-31-2006, 06:28 PM

This movie looks really good. A part of me hopes that it will lead to an animated series.

J-Ranger

02-01-2006, 03:18 PM

In the same amount of time it took you to type this and the above posts, you could've typed "www.amazon.com" and searched "ultimate avengers" and had your answer.

If you want to be that lazy, I've no qualms. It just makes for a pointless string of posts.

-BB
Okay, Tomatoe, Tamato. This movie looks awesome and I look forward to watching it when it is released

screw on head

02-02-2006, 04:28 PM

New York Comic-con attendees will have a chance to see a screening of the film on Friday February 24th (http://www.nycomiccon.com/app/Homepage.cfm?linkid=20901&moduleid=2525&sesAction=sessionDetail&SessionID=63625&appname=100453&campaignid=12659&iUserCampaignID=21415361), just three days after the film's release on DVD.

Anyone else besides me planning to be there to see it?

Spider-Man

02-04-2006, 12:21 PM

The first review for The Ultimate Avengers is online at Newsarama - http://www.newsarama.com/movies/UltAvengers/AvenegrsReview.htm . The reviewer seems to really enjoy it.

I'd love to see it on a big screen or in an auditorium viewing. It think that'd be great! I'm really looking forward to it coming out. I've been going through old Avengers and Ultimates comics.

I do have a question. I went on the official website for the movie at http://www.ultimateavengers.com/ and the section called S.H.E.I.L.D. doesn't work. Does it work for anyone else?

screw on head

02-04-2006, 01:17 PM

I do have a question. I went on the official website for the movie at http://www.ultimateavengers.com/ and the section called S.H.E.I.L.D. doesn't work. Does it work for anyone else?
No, the Shield section is a blank slate for me too. The page transforms after clicking like all the other buttons, but no information comes up. Hopefully that's a bug that will be fixed, it'll be interesting to see the section.

Eddie G.

02-04-2006, 02:15 PM

Has the Red Skull been given the Ultimate treatment yet?We think so, although he hasn't been named yet, he popped up in Ultimates 2, although we don't know much about him yet. Basically, he seems to be from the Middle East, and instead of being disfigured he wears a red costume similar to America's. Also, he has Darth Maul's lightsaber.

Bird Boy

02-04-2006, 10:47 PM

Mo' new images (http://marvel.toonzone.net/avengers/media/gallery/).

Six new images, stills from the feature, have been added to the link above. Hopefully I'm not jinxing anything by saying this, but hopefully we'll have a review of both film and DVD (as well as a mini site) by end of next week. That's if the fates are kind to us.

Please be kind to us.

-BB

Spider-Man

02-06-2006, 06:08 AM

I have to admit that those new images don't really look that good. I assume it's either becuause it's always hard to get good production stills from just about any animated movie or because these are cels cobbled together from model sheets and background paintings. These just don't seem to resemble the trailer we've seen. We go get a small look at Tony Stark without his mask on finally in this pic (http://marvel.toonzone.net/avengers/media/gallery/09.jpg).

LazyReaper

02-07-2006, 02:22 PM

Dont know if this has been posted here yet, but Superhero Hype (http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=3834) has posted an exclusive clip of the movie online.

Silly McGooses

02-07-2006, 04:25 PM

I've heard complaints about the animation in this movie, but that clip looked quite nice, certainly above TV-quality.

MilkManX

02-07-2006, 05:01 PM

I was waiting to see it in motion. It looks pretty good. I dont know if it will hold up to JLU but it looks alot better than the old X-Men and Spider-Man shows(90's).

Silly McGooses

02-07-2006, 05:23 PM

JLU? Personally, I think it looks ten thousand times better than JLU.I'm sorry to say that, because I think JLU deserves great animation, but I look at it and it looks completely careless to me.

Desifoxy

02-07-2006, 06:25 PM

Dont know if this has been posted here yet, but Superhero Hype (http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=3834) has posted an exclusive clip of the movie online.

I thought they did a good job with Bruce Banner that is until I heard his voice. Nick Fury on the other hand was perfect! "Easy, Soldier" :p

screw on head

02-07-2006, 09:24 PM

Toon Zone News reports that Newsarama has its own exclusive clip (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=8766) from the movie.

Having checked out both this one and SHH!'s, I think I can rest easy that the animatioin's going to be rock solid. Great timing, some very nice fluidity, and great execution overall. Mind you, I could only let myself watch half of each clip to keep from being too spoiled...

Spider-Friends

02-07-2006, 09:57 PM

WOW!!! I was seriously worried that we were going to get animation worse than a Saturday morning cartoon, but that was WAY above it! Even though the styles are almost the same, it looks better than X-MEN: EVOLUTION. I'm very pleased.

I hope everyone's expectation were in check. Reading some of the posts at Newsarama has me concerned. We can't expect the quality of a DTV to be the same as a theatrical movie's animation.

MilkManX

02-08-2006, 02:20 PM

JLU? Personally, I think it looks ten thousand times better than JLU.I'm sorry to say that, because I think JLU deserves great animation, but I look at it and it looks completely careless to me.

I dont know about that.

The color looks very saturated. The models are more detailed but that leaves room for animation flubs. Dont get me wrong I think it looks great but this new season of JLU has been incredible in the animation department.

When the DVD hits then I will make my final call on the animation. I wont judge it soley from this preview.

Wag

02-08-2006, 06:41 PM

It looks OK to me, although I'm not too fond of the "breasts bigger than their heads" motif. Definitely aimed at the younger crowd.

Desifoxy

02-08-2006, 07:24 PM

Website updated. The "shield" feature can be viewed and a new feature called "Production" has replaced "mobile".

screw on head

02-08-2006, 09:41 PM

The Production section doesn't really tell us anything we haven't heard before, but it does have a list of the film's credits, creditting an orchestra and a list of awesome storyboard artists like Adam Van Wyk, Dave Bullock, Gary Graham, Butch Lukic, Ricardo Morales, and Frank Paur... Good to know.

The Shield section has a little snippet clip for each main character in the film. This section isn't exactly perfect, as a clip of Thor plays under Hulk's file and Thor's own video clip doesn't play.

Spider-Man

02-09-2006, 08:28 AM

So who's up for seeing Thor in action? Ain't It Cool News (http://aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=22413) has a clip from Ultimate Avengers online at their site. Check it out:

http://aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=22413

Here's a direct link too:

http://lionsgate.arcostream.net/lionsgate/ult_avengers/ult_aveng_thor_whaler_300.wmv

MilkManX

02-09-2006, 09:52 AM

ShadowDemon

02-09-2006, 02:25 PM

I cant see ANY of these clips...my player shows the first couple of seconds of the video and then it freezes while the audio keeps going....:sad:

BTW, I STILL can't get an answer to a question I posted earlier: did they fix the "Thug" Captain America portrayal from the comic? I've asked here, at Newsrama, even at Lions Gate...and no answer.

Manhunter

02-09-2006, 03:00 PM

I cant see ANY of these clips...my player shows the first couple of seconds of the video and then it freezes while the audio keeps going....:sad:

I have a similar problem, except I don't see anything.

Spider-Man

02-09-2006, 05:39 PM

Now IGN has a clip up in both Quicktime and Windows Media. Here's the link:

http://media.dvd.ign.com/media/800/800217/vids_1.html

It's a great little action clip. February 21st better get here quick!

Silly McGooses

02-09-2006, 08:32 PM

I dont know about that.

The color looks very saturated. The models are more detailed but that leaves room for animation flubs. Dont get me wrong I think it looks great but this new season of JLU has been incredible in the animation department.

When the DVD hits then I will make my final call on the animation. I wont judge it soley from this preview.

I haven't seen any of the new season yet, so I guess Imy opinions are a little out-of-date. From the JL I've seen, I'd probably rank it halfway between this and Superfriends.

Spider-Friends

02-10-2006, 10:17 AM

From aintitcool.com (http://www.aintitcool.com):

I saw ULTIMATE AVENGERS tonight... and here's the thing. The story is pretty fun, hell, when Hulk shows up... you'd kill to see that Live Action. My problem is that it is grotesquely underfinanced. The animation is sloppy and a grade better than some superhero animation, but not much. Looking at this, I just can't help but wonder what a no holds barred CG animated, in partnership with SQUARE, ULTIMATES would look like. I'm telling you, it'd knock everybody's d*** in the dirt. It's worth getting cuz it is fun, but it's the least effort put forward. It's almost like they're ashamed to really invest in this. I could gripe for hours about the changes they made in classic characters, but ultimately... I gave them that. In fact, I had fun with that... sort of a "What If" scenario. I just can't really understand cheapskating out to make sub-Television quality animation... with moments that shine above that. It's just a shame. Hopefully when Marvel starts producing their own films, Avi and Kevin Fiege will roll the dice on a "HOLY ****" animated Marvel Epic. Well, I can dream.

"Sub-Television quality animation"? I can't imagine that the movie looks much different than the recent clips...and those clips AREN'T "sub-television quality". I'm getting tired of reading that stuff too. Expectations are seriously out of whack on this thing. This movie was made to be DIRECT-TO-VIDEO. That means the best we could expect would be OTHER movies made as DTV releases. For example, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. This movie's animation is on a par with it or even better.

So my point is people need to quit saying, "They should have done better." This looks as good as you can expect from a DTV.

Now if people want to say, "They shouldn't have done this as a DTV," then THAT at least makes LOGICAL sense.

screw on head

02-10-2006, 09:36 PM

This isn't much of anything at this point but Marvel's website has added a Hulk pin-up to their Ultimate Avengers page, check that out here (http://marvel.com/publishing/stories/showstory.htm?id=39). Really gorgeous piece of Hitch artwork.

Eleven more days to go...

mr.happy

02-12-2006, 11:41 AM

"Sub-Television quality animation"? I can't imagine that the movie looks much different than the recent clips...and those clips AREN'T "sub-television quality"."Sub-Television quality animation" might seem a little harsh, considering there's some real junk on TV, but despite a few isolated highlights, it really is quite poor. The obvious benchmark would be JLU, and it falls well short of their average standards, and the problem is compounded by some god-awful directing and storyboarding, and "Mystery of The Batwoman sucked too" isn't really an excuse. It did suck, and it got panned for it.

While the backgrounds in Ultimate Avengers are quite nice, the visual style of the characters suffers from soft, excessive, incorrect shading and highlights, which at times makes it look like animated photoshop fan art, and with a story that's a bit so-so, I thought it was a disappointing movie. Felt like 80s GI Joe in many ways.

Stu

02-12-2006, 11:48 AM

I saw ULTIMATE AVENGERS tonight... and here's the thing. The story is pretty fun, hell, when Hulk shows up... you'd kill to see that Live Action. My problem is that it is grotesquely underfinanced. The animation is sloppy and a grade better than some superhero animation, but not much. Looking at this, I just can't help but wonder what a no holds barred CG animated, in partnership with SQUARE, ULTIMATES would look like. I'm telling you, it'd knock everybody's d*** in the dirt. It's worth getting cuz it is fun, but it's the least effort put forward. It's almost like they're ashamed to really invest in this. I could gripe for hours about the changes they made in classic characters, but ultimately... I gave them that. In fact, I had fun with that... sort of a "What If" scenario. I just can't really understand cheapskating out to make sub-Television quality animation... with moments that shine above that. It's just a shame. Hopefully when Marvel starts producing their own films, Avi and Kevin Fiege will roll the dice on a "HOLY ****" animated Marvel Epic. Well, I can dream.

To do The Ultimates in live action would've cost millions and millions of dollers. Hell, Hulk needed a £100 million plus budget, solely for him. Add in the cost of Iron Man's armour, the flying effects it would need and Giant Man's gigantic CG model and it arguably becomes a little too expensive. Animation was the best choice.

Look for an update on this film from Marvel Animation Age next week, God willing. :)

Spider-Friends

02-12-2006, 08:55 PM

The obvious benchmark would be JLU, and it falls well short of their average standards,
I've watched every single episode of JLU. Different episodes fluctuate wildly in quality. So unless you're going to name an episode, I can't comment.

"Mystery of The Batwoman sucked too" isn't really an excuse. It did suck, and it got panned for it.

Yes, it is an excuse. Name a DTV that is better made than Ultimate Avengers*. This was my whole point in my post above, that people are complaining about how "bad" it looks when ALL DTVs have the same standards. Those standards are only slightly above television cartoons. Ultimate Avengers fits that description.

I reiterate: " my point is people need to quit saying, "They should have done better." This looks as good as you can expect from a DTV.

Now if people want to say, 'They shouldn't have done this as a DTV,' then THAT at least makes LOGICAL sense."

...and with a story that's a bit so-so, I thought it was a disappointing movie.

I haven't seen the whole movie, so I can't judge the story.

*Naming a Disney DTV (such as Little Mermaid 2) wouldn't even be remotely fair.

J-Ranger

02-12-2006, 11:54 PM

MilkManX

02-13-2006, 10:23 AM

Did anyone else catch the Ultimate Avengers tv spot during the Simpsons at 8pm on Fox? I'm pretty sure it wasn't a regional commercial but I'm not sure that is why I'm asking. My Fox affliate is Fox Rochester just in case
They played it all night between Simpsons,Family Guy and American Dad.

Pyro

02-13-2006, 10:26 AM

Yes, it is an excuse. Name a DTV that is better made than Ultimate Avengers*. This was my whole point in my post above, that people are complaining about how "bad" it looks when ALL DTVs have the same standards. Those standards are only slightly above television cartoons. Ultimate Avengers fits that description.

I reiterate: " my point is people need to quit saying, "They should have done better." This looks as good as you can expect from a DTV.

Now if people want to say, 'They shouldn't have done this as a DTV,' then THAT at least makes LOGICAL sense." I understand what you're saying, yes, the standard for DTV animation is only slightly above television animation. But that doesn't mean fans can't hope for the "standard" to reach a higher level of quality. If something is bad, it shouldn't be acceptable or excusable just because that's the way it is, an attempt should be made to improve it. Otherwise, everything would just be in a pitiful state of mediocrity. I can't judge the quality of animation yet since I haven't seen it, but I expect it to be good.

The Overlord

02-13-2006, 10:35 AM

I heard Mark Hamill was doing the voice of a villain that features heavyly in Ultimate Avengers II, I wonder if its Herr Kleiser from the Ultimates.

Spider-Friends

02-13-2006, 11:12 AM

But that doesn't mean fans can't hope for the "standard" to reach a higher level of quality.

All I'm saying is that people shouldn't expect the quality to be higher than other DTVs. One guy at the Superherohype boards was saying that they should have made the animation look like Alex Ross's art! That's just ludicrous. Again...people should have reasonable expectations. To look at other DTVs is the only way to derive those expectations.

If something is bad, it shouldn't be acceptable or excusable just because that's the way it is, an attempt should be made to improve it. Otherwise, everything would just be in a pitiful state of mediocrity.

I didn't say other DTVs are bad, or that they should be expected to be bad. I liked the animation in X-Men:Evolution. I understand that it was well done for television animation. I'm only expecting Ultimate Avengers to look as good as X:E's best episodes. That's reasonable.

MilkManX

02-13-2006, 01:48 PM

All I'm saying is that people shouldn't expect the quality to be higher than other DTVs. One guy at the Superherohype boards was saying that they should have made the animation look like Alex Ross's art! That's just ludicrous. Again...people should have reasonable expectations. To look at other DTVs is the only way to derive those expectations.

I didn't say other DTVs are bad, or that they should be expected to be bad. I liked the animation in X-Men:Evolution. I understand that it was well done for television animation. I'm only expecting Ultimate Avengers to look as good as X:E's best episodes. That's reasonable.

Obviously these people know nothing about how animation works. If you had art as detailed as Alex Ross it would take a huge budget and months and months if not years to finish it.

Now if it was entirely CG based on Alex Ross work then maybe. But again the budget would have to be huge and it would take alot of time.

Personally I think it looks great. I cant wait to watch it on the 21st.

mr.happy

02-13-2006, 08:23 PM

I've watched every single episode of JLU. Different episodes fluctuate wildly in quality. So unless you're going to name an episode, I can't comment. I said "average standard", so that's somewhere halfway between the best and the worst. JL's worst is pretty awful too, but their best is amazing.

Yes, it is an excuse. Name a DTV that is better made than Ultimate Avengers*.OK, let's see... hmmmm... Little Mermaid 2.

This was my whole point in my post above, that people are complaining about how "bad" it looks when ALL DTVs have the same standards."DTV" is not a meassure of quality. Whether or not they're all good or bad is irrelevant, each one will be judged on its own merit, and Ultimate Avengers comes up short.

I reiterate: " my point is people need to quit saying, "They should have done better." This looks as good as you can expect from a DTV.It's not about what you could expect from a DTV, it's about whether or not it does its source material justice, and it doesn't. The Ultimates is an edgy, intelligent, visually impressive comic book. Ultimate Avengers has few if any of those qualities. It doesn't quite disgrace itself, but it's kind of like expecting Disney's The Lion King for Christmas, and your granny got you the cheap, japanese knock-off, because she didn't know any better.

Now if people want to say, 'They shouldn't have done this as a DTV,' then THAT at least makes LOGICAL sense."Or no sense at all?

*Naming a Disney DTV (such as Little Mermaid 2) wouldn't even be remotely fair.Why not?

Duke

02-13-2006, 08:56 PM

it's kind of like expecting Disney's The Lion King for Christmas, and your granny got you the cheap, japanese knock-off, because she didn't know any better.
But...Kimba is actually good.

J-Ranger

02-13-2006, 11:15 PM

They played it all night between Simpsons,Family Guy and American Dad.
Awesome. I'm glad I wasn't the only one to catch it

Spider-Man

02-14-2006, 07:13 AM

It's not about what you could expect from a DTV, it's about whether or not it does its source material justice, and it doesn't. The Ultimates is an edgy, intelligent, visually impressive comic book. Ultimate Avengers has few if any of those qualities.
So have you actually seen the entire movie?

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 09:40 AM

"DTV" is not a meassure of quality. Whether or not they're all good or bad is irrelevant, each one will be judged on its own merit, and Ultimate Avengers comes up short.
"DTV" IS A MEASURE of quality. A budget is involved; quality is limited by it. A theatrical movie can have a bigger budget because it will make more money. A DTV is going to have a much smaller budget because it won't make nearly as much as a theatrical movie.

The Ultimates is an edgy, intelligent, visually impressive comic book. Ultimate Avengers has few if any of those qualities.
"Visually impressive' is all that applies to this conversation since we are only talking about the animation. (I've only seen clips.) I've never had my socks knocked off by a DTV. I didn't expect to have it happen here either.

*Naming a Disney DTV (such as Little Mermaid 2) wouldn't even be remotely fair.
Why not?
Because Disney DTV's are usually sequels to hit films. Therefore they know they can make a ton of money off of them. The first Disney title to do this Aladdin: Return of Jafar was absolutely crap...but it sold amazingly simply because the first Aladdin was a huge hit. Disney has as big of a built in audience for their DTV as we've ever seen. Therefore their budgets for them can afford to be much bigger. Marvel's only precedent for setting their budget on UA is what the budget has been for other action-adventure animation DTVs (i.e., Mystery of the Batwoman). They would be fools to not use those as their guideline.

Now name a action-adventure animation DTV that you think is better than Ultimate Avengers?

Duke

02-14-2006, 09:45 AM

Now name a action-adventure animation DTV that you think is better than Ultimate Avengers?
I can't judge it until it airs on Toonami (which will definately be a major boost in sales), but Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker was pretty damn good.

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 09:56 AM

I can't judge it until it airs on Toonami (which will definately be a major boost in sales), but Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker was pretty damn good.

I certainly agree with that...and it very well may be a better movie than Ultimate Avengers. But from what I've seen in the clips of Ultimate Avengers, I would say the animation is on a par with it. Even if you think the animation of BB:ROTJ is better, they are both in the same "league".

Duke

02-14-2006, 09:59 AM

I certainly agree with that...and it very well may be a better movie than Ultimate Avengers. But from what I've seen in the clips of Ultimate Avengers, I would say the animation is on a par with it. Even if you think the animation of BB:ROTJ is better, they are both in the same "league".
Well, BB:ROTJ was animated by TMS, who used to be really, really good (especially with the Batman stuff), and didn't have a lot of time to do it in. So it has a major advantage right there.

Though I can't help wondering what a Production I.G. Avengers would look like...

MilkManX

02-14-2006, 10:01 AM

I certainly agree with that...and it very well may be a better movie than Ultimate Avengers. But from what I've seen in the clips of Ultimate Avengers, I would say the animation is on a par with it. Even if you think the animation of BB:ROTJ is better, they are both in the same "league".

Thats gonna be a tough call.

I mean I dont know what studio is doing Avengers but BB:ROTJ was TMS. One of the best in Japan and it really shows on ROTJ.

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 10:12 AM

Thats gonna be a tough call.
To compare the two is really getting away from my original point. The people that were complaining about Ultimate Avengers wouldn't have been satisfied with TMS doing the animation for it either.

For reference:

I just can't help but wonder what a no holds barred CG animated, in partnership with SQUARE, ULTIMATES would look like.

That's not even feasible for the limited budget that a DTV has.

Funkatron

02-14-2006, 10:15 AM

Well, BB:ROTJ was animated by TMS, who used to be really, really good (especially with the Batman stuff), and didn't have a lot of time to do it in. So it has a major advantage right there.

Though I can't help wondering what a Production I.G. Avengers would look like...
Ultimate Avengers in the same quality as GiTS: SAC?...dang, I'd have a fangasm

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 10:27 AM

Ultimate Avengers in the same quality as GiTS: SAC?...dang, I'd have a fangasm

I'm clueless. What is GiTS: SAC?

Duke

02-14-2006, 10:43 AM

I'm clueless. What is GiTS: SAC?
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. A series whose 2nd season is airing every Saturday night at 12:30AM on Adult Swim. And it also has some of the most beautiful TV animation I've ever seen.

Check out the intros and promos here (http://www.asfdotcom.net/). It also showcases the excellent soundtrack the show has.

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 10:53 AM

Check out the intros and promos here (http://www.asfdotcom.net/). It also showcases the excellent soundtrack the show has.

I can't view them for some reason.

I have no idea what a budget for a Japanese cartoon would be to know if it would be reasonable to expect this quality from a DTV.

mr.happy

02-14-2006, 10:54 AM

"DTV" IS A MEASURE of quality. A budget is involved; quality is limited by it.That's true for any production. It's even true for food, but using some arbitrary "burger" description says very little about the quality of what's between the buns.

A theatrical movie can have a bigger budget because it will make more money. A DTV is going to have a much smaller budget because it won't make nearly as much as a theatrical movie.And in turn, a TV episode will typically have an even smaller budget, which brings up back to the "sub-Television quality animation" point.

"Visually impressive' is all that applies to this conversation since we are only talking about the animation.My point was that the entire package was disappointing, and the blame cannot be laid entirely at the feet of the animation.

I've never had my socks knocked off by a DTV. I didn't expect to have it happen here either.As long as you're not expecting much, you won't be disappointed.

Because Disney DTV's are usually sequels to hit films. Therefore they know they can make a ton of money off of them.They're still DTVs, and the differences in budget and quality is exactly why I said you can't use the word DTV as a meassure of quality.

Marvel's only precedent for setting their budget on UA is what the budget has been for other action-adventure animation DTVs (i.e., Mystery of the Batwoman). They would be fools to not use those as their guideline.They would be fools to aim for any of the achievements of MOTBW, but budget probably isn't the main problem here. They just went for a style that's difficult to animate, and picked a studio that wasn't up to the job. Still, much of the problem isn't just with the animation itself, but with the editing and the flow of it all. There are bits that look nice in isolation, but are let down badly by poor directing and editing. It's difficult to say how many of these problems were present at the boarding stage, but I would guess a lot. It's worth remembering that sometimes producers have to tweak sequences in editing themselves to deal with poor animation, so it's not really clear who is to blame for this visual mess, but it's certainly not worthy of the Ultimates title, which is perhaps why they stuck the Avengers part in there, as the 90s animated show sets far more realistic expectations than the comic book does, and it's disappointing that they never try to emulate any of the visual style and characteristics of the comics. Ultimates in name only, and even then they're missing an "s".

Now name a action-adventure animation DTV that you think is better than Ultimate Avengers?I don't know if your rules allow me to stray outside the Batman universe, but Return of the Joker was a superior production on every level, and even The Batman's only DTV outing was miles better than UA.

The people that were complaining about Ultimate Avengers wouldn't have been satisfied with TMS doing the animation for it either.What's your basis for that generalisation?

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 11:32 AM

My point was that the entire package was disappointing, and the blame cannot be laid entirely at the feet of the animation.
You started out responding to me...and my point from the beginning has only been the animation.

They just went for a style that's difficult to animate...

..and it's disappointing that they never try to emulate any of the visual style...of the comics.
I think you are doing what most people who are disappointed are doing: You're expecting the impossible. It's not possible to make this thing look like the comic. You criticized them for trying to animate a difficult design...then said you were disappointed that they didn't do a MORE difficult design.

Return of the Joker was a superior production on every level, and even The Batman's only DTV outing was miles better than UA.
Again, I'm only talking about animation. To expect the animation level that ROTJ or The Batman has is reasonable. My point is that other people were being UN-reasonable. From the clips I've seen, UA is in the same league with ROTJ. If you don't agree, then we need to agree to disagree. Though I think saying "miles better" in animation is being unreasonable and just wanting to knock it.

What's your basis for that generalisation?
My whole point from the beginning was the quote below from Aintitcool.com and the guy from the Superherohype boards that thinks it should have looked like Alex Ross's art:

I just can't help but wonder what a no holds barred CG animated, in partnership with SQUARE, ULTIMATES would look like.

ShockDingo

02-14-2006, 12:23 PM

Missed some points but Alex Ross Art in animation? Wow talk about the "duke nukem forever effect" we'd never see it finished, it's too detailed. Unless it's like the old weird cartoons where everything is in stills, but they have realistic lips moving to do the talking. :p

mr.happy

02-14-2006, 01:53 PM

You started out responding to me...and my point from the beginning has only been the animation.Sure, but at the same time, it seems like you're trying to defend UA as if it lives or dies purely on the animation, which is why I thought I would add that it's not the only reason I found it disappointing. The animation isn't so bad that it would ruin the whole thing if everything else was top drawer, but sadly it isn't. I still think a lot of people will like the animation, though, and won't be too bothered about uninspired, undynamic action, and shading and shadows moving around as if they had a mind of their own. It's still very colorful and "visual", just not very interesting, in my opinion. If anything, it's too "on model". Good animation bends, streteches and flexes far more than these cardboard cutouts do, and that was always one of the hallmarks of TMS and sometimes Dr Movie these days. Their style tends not to look so good in stills, but animates really well.

I think you are doing what most people who are disappointed are doing: You're expecting the impossible. It's not possible to make this thing look like the comic. You criticized them for trying to animate a difficult design...then said you were disappointed that they didn't do a MORE difficult design.No, I meant more in terms of staging, composition, cinematography, if you can use that term about a cartoon. The comic has a very cinematic look and flow to it that could easily have been emulated in animation, probably more effectively by dropping the detail level a notch. Like I said, the backgrounds in UA are sometimes quite nice.

Again, I'm only talking about animation. To expect the animation level that ROTJ or The Batman has is reasonable. My point is that other people were being UN-reasonable. From the clips I've seen, UA is in the same league with ROTJ. If you don't agree, then we need to agree to disagree. Though I think saying "miles better" in animation is being unreasonable and just wanting to knock it.I meant miles better in overall quality, but certainly in animation too. You can find several clips from UA that compares well with ROTJ, but the overall impression of UA is that it's all very disjointed.

My whole point from the beginning was the quote below from Aintitcool.com and the guy from the Superherohype boards that thinks it should have looked like Alex Ross's art:I haven't read the original quotes in context, so I couldn't really comment on them other than to say I sort of agree with the sub-television quality jab, even if it doesn't really tell the whole story about the visuals, but the Alex Ross comment is a special kind of stupid. Even in CG that would be difficult, if not impossible to pull off, nor would it be appropriate or even desireable. I personally find Ross utterly boring. His style was interesting when he first started to make a name for himself, but 10-15 years down the road, it's all looking a bit repetitive to me.

Spider-Friends

02-14-2006, 02:49 PM

Sure, but at the same time, it seems like you're trying to defend UA as if it lives or dies purely on the animation, which is why I thought I would add that it's not the only reason I found it disappointing.
Please re-read all of my comments then. At no point have I indicated that it would "live or die" on the animation alone. I made it abundantly clear that I was tired of people trashing the animation (which I've seen with my own eyes) in the form of unrealistic expectations.

...shading and shadows moving around as if they had a mind of their own.
When I see this television sized, I may agree with you on this. I did notice it a little in the clip with the Wasp. I've also thought from the begining that the feathered edge of the shading was a bad decision. (Very 'photoshop' looking as you put it.)

Good animation bends, streteches and flexes far more than these cardboard cutouts do...
Again, the Wasp clip, I thought her facial expressions and body movements did all of the above, much more so than a Saturday morning cartoon.

You can find several clips from UA that compares well with ROTJ, but the overall impression of UA is that it's all very disjointed.
Well, the three clips I've seen compare well to ROTJ. If you were to tell me that those three clips don't compare to ROTJ, then we simply don't agree. But if you tell me those three clips are the best that UA has to offer, I'll have to take your advice until I see it.

...I sort of agree with the sub-television quality jab, even if it doesn't really tell the whole story about the visuals...
JLU is "television quality" despite it's variations in quality. So by saying you agree with "sub-television" comment you're saying UA looks WORSE than the worst JLU episodes?

Look, if Harry Knowles and other people were saying, "I'm disappointed. This isn't as good as ROTJ or The Batman versus Dracula" then I would respect that. But to mention "no holds barred CG animated, in partnership with SQUARE" is showing that his expectations were out of whack. This is a DTV...he knew going in that it was a DTV. Why is he mentioning a multi-million dollar endeavor?

I personally find Ross utterly boring. His style was interesting when he first started to make a name for himself, but 10-15 years down the road, it's all looking a bit repetitive to me. I'm quite bored with it myself...but we're off-topic now. :)

mr.happy

02-14-2006, 04:49 PM

Again, the Wasp clip, I thought her facial expressions and body movements did all of the above, much more so than a Saturday morning cartoon.I don't know which clip you're referring to specifically, but like I said, there are good sequences in UA, but I don't remember anything outstanding, or anything I got even mildly excited about. The action was generally boring and unimaginative.

Well, the three clips I've seen compare well to ROTJ. If you were to tell me that those three clips don't compare to ROTJ, then we simply don't agree. But if you tell me those three clips are the best that UA has to offer, I'll have to take your advice until I see it.Link me to the clips.

JLU is "television quality" despite it's variations in quality. So by saying you agree with "sub-television" comment you're saying UA looks WORSE than the worst JLU episodes?I suppose it depends on what you value in animation. I suspect the "sub-television quality" criticism involves more than just the actual animation of the characters. There is so much boarding, staging, editing, timing and choreography going into good animation, and if you look at the whole package, UA does fall short of many JLU episodes, certainly some of the more well animated ones like Kids Stuff, The Cat and the Canary, Divided We Fall, etc, but it's certainly as good, if not better than many of season 1 episodes by Koko, but that was in the early days of digital animation techniques, many a lesson has been learned since then, and they had a pretty good handle on it by the end of the season.

Look, if Harry Knowles and other people were saying, "I'm disappointed. This isn't as good as ROTJ or The Batman versus Dracula" then I would respect that. But to mention "no holds barred CG animated, in partnership with SQUARE" is showing that his expectations were out of whack. This is a DTV...he knew going in that it was a DTV. Why is he mentioning a multi-million dollar endeavor?I don't think that was his level of expectation going in, and the Square comment was probably more like an afterthought, but I haven't read the whole thing, so I couldn't say for sure.

The bottom line for me is that UA possessed none of the qualities I would expect from something associated with The Ultimates, and the actual animation was only one of the problems, but certainly a significant one.

JLU Dude

02-14-2006, 05:53 PM

I have to agree with Spider-Friends on this. On a DTV budget and time to get it out for release with the super-detailing of Bryan Hitch's designs, it'd look like the 90s X-Men toon and that wasn't known for good animation. In fact, the animation was pretty bad. Cap's chainmail alone would be a pain, even for Disney theatrical movies.

Look at the DCUA shows (Batman: TAS/TAoB&R/TNBA & Superman: TAS/TNBSA, Batman Beyond, Jusitce League/JLU) and Gargoyles. A lot of the reason the designs for those shows work is because they're simplied. Look at the Kyle Rayner design for the JLU episode The Return. True to the comics, yet modifiy and streamlined. None of those weird lines running down his arms and legs. You want good animation for a DTV, don't expect a lot of detail. You want a lot of detail ala Alex Ross & Hitch, don't expect good animation. Sorry, but that's how it works. You can't have both on a DTV.

Nate Palm

02-14-2006, 06:52 PM

Hi all just finished watching UA so I thought I'd give my two cents.

I personally thought the animation was solid. It looked basically like that X-Men: Evolution show. The real problem with the animation has is the directing. The director atempted NOTHING! He just put on screen what the script called for. Not a thing stands out. Need two guys shaking hands? That's what you get. Need some jets to fly-by? Thats what you get. Need Iron-Man caught in an explosion? That's what you get. Nothing fresh, no impressive angles, no art of any kind. Definitely not directed by Genndy Tartakovsky. ;)

I thought the story was fine. The actors did a good job. And the characters looked good. Although I didn't like the beardless Thor.

There were a couple of kill scenes I didn't like. It seemed they were just showing people getting disintegrated so they could say 'Hey everyone look! Death! This isn't just for the kiddies!'

Overall I enjoyed it. I just think they should get a director that actually wants to try something.

mr.happy

02-14-2006, 08:25 PM

I thought the story was fine. The actors did a good job. And the characters looked good. Although I didn't like the beardless Thor.Yes, I agree the voices were pretty decent, except Olivia D'abo's dreadful, industrial strength, all-purpose Russian accent.

Nate Palm

02-14-2006, 09:04 PM

Yes, I agree the voices were pretty decent, except Olivia D'abo's dreadful, industrial strength, all-purpose Russian accent.
Lol I remember thinking the same thing while watching. Very heavy stereotypical Russian accent.

Again I have to reiterate the biggest flaw of UA is a complete lack of a good director. This movies director just didn't even try.

Oh and I forgot to mention the music was very bland. Music can make a movie. It's something you just can't ignore.

James Harvey

02-14-2006, 09:28 PM

I had a chance to review The Ultimate Avengers and really enjoyed it. My review for both the movie and DVD can be found here (http://marvel.toonzone.net/mafeatures/ultavengers/reviews/).

On Tuesday, we’ll have talkbacks and special posts to commemorate the arrival of this new animated Marvel movie! Stay tuned!

J-Ranger

02-14-2006, 10:51 PM

I just had the privilege of seeing the Ultimate Avengers movie today and I really enjoyed it. The animation was well done, as well as the voice over work. I really liked Justin Gross as Steve Rogers aka Captain America, he really did a solid job with the role. For the general part the voice acting was really good, although I wasn't too fond of Olivia D'abo's performance as Black Widow. The music was also well done, I thought it was very good. I'm sorry I missed who produced the score in the credits. This movie is definitely a buy and I look forward to picking it up on Tuesday. If this is the quality of the future Marvel/LGF releases then I look forward to this year with the Marvel movies. 4 stars.

Spider-Man

02-15-2006, 01:03 PM

I'm hoping one of my stores will break street date. Since this isn't a big high-profile release they sometimes tend to sneak out early without anyone noticing.

Newsarama has a new column (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=59544) up about The Ultimate Avengers and Craig Kyle talks about the movie and some of the shortcomings and complaints fans may have. I dont care what anyone says - I still can't wait until Tuesday!

Hero Supreme

02-17-2006, 04:00 PM

the site that must not be named has a pic of the black panther from volume 2

dtemplar

02-17-2006, 04:09 PM

It also said its going to be released in August.

Spider-Man

02-19-2006, 02:34 PM

Superhero Hype! has a review up for The Ultimate Avengers and they give it a 7/10. This is only one of the few major sites I've seen review this movie. I think only Toon Zone and Superhero Hype! are the only sites that have reviewed it I think. Reviews seem to be positive so far despite a couple little problems they note. I noticed that a few people here have seen it so some stores must have broken the shelf date. The review can be read here (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/dvdreviewsnews.php?id=13234). I'm looking forward to picking it up first thing on Tuesday morning!

Silly McGooses

02-19-2006, 05:21 PM

I'm not a big Avengers fan, but I've been seeing the TV spots and it looks pretty cool. I'll definitely pick it up Tuesfay if I can get around to it.

Silly McGooses

02-19-2006, 10:48 PM

So, what's in the pipeline for these DTVs after Avengers 2?
It'd be so awesome if JLU could have a series of DTV movies like this after this season.

randomguy

02-19-2006, 11:00 PM

Did anyone else catch the Ultimate Avengers tv spot during the Simpsons at 8pm on Fox? I'm pretty sure it wasn't a regional commercial but I'm not sure that is why I'm asking. My Fox affliate is Fox Rochester just in caseI've seen ads on quite a few stations, including Spike!, Cartoon Network and Comedy Central. It looks like they're giving this movie a pretty decent promotional push. We'll see if it pays off.

Spider-Man

02-20-2006, 06:21 AM

So, what's in the pipeline for these DTVs after Avengers 2?
One based on Iron Man and another on Dr. Strange are in the works after Ultimate Avengers 2. There's supposed to be four more after that coming every four months but the characters for those ones haven't been revealed. If the sales are good on these first ones then I assume they'll announce those other ones soon.

Duke

02-20-2006, 08:42 AM

This is for "Ultimate Avengers the Movie": Animated Superheroes Grow Up (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=9063).

A sign of good things to come? Here's hoping.

http://news.toonzone.net/images/2006-02/splash_ultimate_avengers.gif

Hypestyle

02-20-2006, 01:31 PM

good to see that we don't have to wait a year for part II.. not to mention Dr. Strange and Iron Man as well...

Silly McGooses

02-20-2006, 01:54 PM

One based on Iron Man and another on Dr. Strange are in the works after Ultimate Avengers 2. There's supposed to be four more after that coming every four months but the characters for those ones haven't been revealed. If the sales are good on these first ones then I assume they'll announce those other ones soon.
Dr. Strange! Cool. I always liked him, but I'm not sure that he has a lot of mainstram appeal. Surprising.

James Harvey

02-21-2006, 07:27 AM

Now that The Ultimate Avengers has arrived, this thread is being shut down. To continue discussing this animated Marvel adventure, head over to the official talkback threads for both the feature and the DVD itself:

-The Ultimate Avengers Feature Talkback (Spoilers) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=160936)
-The Ultimate Avengers DVD Talkback (Spoilers) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=160937)

And to talk about its’ sequel, The Ultimate Avengers 2, head over to it’s own new thread here (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=160938)!