Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Episode 1
Studio: 343 Industries
Publisher: 343 Industries
Format: Webisode (Youtube)
Release Date: October 5, 2012 (Machinima Prime)
Price: Free
Overview
In 2525, as mankind has begun to colonize space, a group of cadets are training to fight against human insurrectionists. One of these cadets, Thomas Laskey, has doubts about his abilities as a soldier and his convictions for this war. Whilst he struggles with himself, the planet is invaded by an unknown alien race. Reeling under the assault, Laskey and his squad mates are rescued by John-117, one of the UNSC’s legendary SPARTAN-II super-soldiers. John must inspire Laskey to fulfill his potential as a soldier and a leader to fight against an enemy deadlier than any that humanity has faced before, the covenant.
Story
The first episode takes the squad into training. As they begin to exit the cryochamber you see Thomas Laskey fall onto the ground. As he struggles to get up and put on his armor, you begin to tell the issues he will soon face. As the squad is taking cover at a nearby bunker the squad begins to loose it under the pressure. While they begin argue about the order the commander has given, Laskey decides to disobey his orders and go on his own way. As he is running he gets shot and causes his squad to loose the training mission.
When they get back to the academy you begin to see some insight into each of the characters. You see that Laskey is trying to live up to his families expectations and how he is dealing with his health issues he is experiencing due to being in cryo. The same thing is done for the other main characters but nothing is done for the secondary characters. This is a sad thing because they have so much the can build upon with all the characters as a whole.
Visuals
The episode is shot perfectly. The video is clean and crisp which allow for it to be played in 360p and still look like it is in HD. They didn’t go cheap on the camera used to film it either as it looks like the quality you get when you go and see a movie in a theater.
The special effects are equally as good. The explosions that are taking place during the training are epic and the environmental 3-d effects that you see used really look real which makes you get a better sense of the places you see and will be seeing later on in the web series.
Audio
The audio is perfect with no muffles in between. The audio effects are equally impressive with the sounds of the incoming Warthog or the sounds the cryo chamber makes when it is opened.
The hired the perfect cast to voice each of the characters as I love to hear the wonderful Anna Popplewell voice Chyler Silva using her natural English accent which is just an example of how great the cast is.
Overall
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Episode 1 is a must see for all people who enjoy a good web series. If there was only one thing I would change, it would be to add more background on screen time and background information on the secondary characters. For all the people who were skeptical about bringing the Halo franchise into a live action, you do not need to worry anymore. Axios!
