Released By: Animatsu
Rating: 12
Running Time: 98 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 & Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 16/3/2015
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes
Part of the Halo fragment Master Chief thought he had destroyed in the earlier conflict between the Covenant is believed to still exist and has been used to create a biological weapon to wipe out all human life on Sedra. Halo: Nightfall focusses on Jameson Locke from the Halo 5: Guardians video game and has Locke as the leader of a team investigating terrorist rumours on the planet. After a while they come across an alien who passes a device that looks like a bomb to an Elite Zealot, but it isn't a bomb - it's something far worse.
Here in the 26th Century, the war between the humans and the Covenant has ended thanks to a treaty. However, the Earth's outer colonies are left vulnerable to the aliens threat. For this reason, the Office of Naval Intelligence, ONI have been given the task of finding out the Covenant's true intentions in order to prevent them having the upper hand. As Sedra is an outer colony world with a people who are already 92% human, the problem with Covenant spies is growing.
ONI's agent Locke and his men encounter trouble within minutes even though viewers will get the impression his men have been scouring the planet for hours and had found nothing. This is the quick start of the movie that shows great promise with its accurate depiction of Sedra's sprawling, successful city and outer world of forest and desolation. As Elite Zealot sightings are rare, this causes the men concern and Locke's search for the Zealot leads him to a packed shopping mall where the Zealot activates the device, telling Locke "It's only just beginning." He's right about that, as humanity is at risk of extinction if the Covenant can mine any more of the Halo to use against them - cue Locke and his men going back to the red giant to further investigate it. When they do, it's more about what they have to do when they get there and find other, more ravenous alien life.
The characters involved in the movie aren't two dimensional, either, Locke is a calm collected man who likes to think he has all the answers, but he has a nasty side to him he doesn't show to the others. Colonel Randall Aiken is the narrator who is seen at the beginning with his daughter and has a deep mistrust of the ONI and doesn't mind annoying Locke with his prejudices. Talitha Macer is the plucky young private who has aspirations to rise up the ranks even if Locke sees she has a long way to go to prove herself.
You know a video game is doing well when Ridley Scott gets involved in the latest live action version of Halo. Craft and weapons look as authentic as they did in the game, the Pelican dropship is brought to life just as much as the blink and you're likely to miss it sight of the Sangheli Energy Sword. In places, Halo: Nightfall has an Alien feel to it with Locke and co delving into dark caves where anything could be lurking inside. The atmosphere gets even darker when they encounter other alien lifeforms that respond to their technology. Then there's the Claus Badelt score viewers will find familiar from other famous movies, Pirates of the Caribbean and Gladiator.
As far as the menu and extras are concerned, a well organised separate menu follows with the usual options of chapter selection and special features. What is amazing about this movie is they have gone to the trouble of creating such a lavish menu system that works incredibly well complete with an animation of Locke's men scouring the planet. It is easy to use, and has a look of the Halo helmet's interface that adds to the overall feel. For players of the game this is a thrill to see as it has eerie moments, excellent combat scenes, and character building which is essential to the plot. Also every care has been taken to make sure the environment looks right on the planets they visit.
Bonus Material: DVD - Over 55 Minutes of Exclusive Behind The Scenes Footage
Blu-ray - Over 90 Minutes of Exclusive Behind The Scenes Footage Unlock Over 16 Minutes Of Second Story Extras, Including Highly Confidential ONI Eyes Transmissions To Discover More About Halo: Nightfall.
Verdict: Great choice of actors, attention to detail and gripping plot make this the tie-in movie to watch out for!
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