What is Fantasy?
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The promise of fantasy is that it will be fantastic. New worlds, new ideas, and old truths entice the mind and offer insights into the real world. Who knew that one ring could make the audience question their own resolve? J. R. R. Tolkien did such in his classic fantasy trilogy.
This is why we love fantasy stories, their potential intrigues. But only when the story is crafted and told well. This style of narrative is also so raddled with world building and backstory, that often times tales must endure lengthy conversations of exposition and bore just to enjoy the occasional moment of action, awe, or insight. Poorly crafted fantasy plots often abandon story in favor of history, spending more time being a textbook than being a virtuous adventure. In the case of Crimson Rose Sugg’s second stint in the director’s chair, “Iron,” fantasy is able to find a much stronger footing that is closer to its well-crafted roots. |
*This review has been spilt into two sections, the first is for those that are just viewers wondering if they would enjoy watching "Iron." The second is for the filmmakers among us that enjoy a more in-depth look at where the short film, "Iron," did really good and where it would be fun to see this group improve in their next films.
REVIEW FOR VIEWERS
You should watch "Iron." That about sums it up. Many people want to be directors, but Crimson Rose Sugg has a gift for directing. She has leaded her creative team to a well-won victory. "Iron" is a short film that is worth the viewing.
The film stars Ethan Mitchell (Francois) and Gregory Colt Sugg (Niles) as young men fighting in the kingdom’s army. When the story begins, Francois and Niles have been under the command of Sir Foxthorne (Mike Parker) for an undetermined length of time. However, their biggest challenge is yet to come!
"Iron" is a beautiful film that plays out as a drama but is topped with light-hearted sprinkles of clever comedy. Although, there are scenes where characters fight, so parents may want to review the film before allowing children under 8 years old to view. I feel more than confident in saying that the whole family will enjoy this film.
The film stars Ethan Mitchell (Francois) and Gregory Colt Sugg (Niles) as young men fighting in the kingdom’s army. When the story begins, Francois and Niles have been under the command of Sir Foxthorne (Mike Parker) for an undetermined length of time. However, their biggest challenge is yet to come!
"Iron" is a beautiful film that plays out as a drama but is topped with light-hearted sprinkles of clever comedy. Although, there are scenes where characters fight, so parents may want to review the film before allowing children under 8 years old to view. I feel more than confident in saying that the whole family will enjoy this film.
REVIEW FOR FILMMAKERS
Now, let's geek out for a moment and dive deep into this film!
Story
“Iron” introduces the audience to a fantasy, meets drama story of a small group of warriors who must hold the frontlines of a kingdom against an invasion. Crimson Rose Sugg’s “Iron" starts with a brief screen of text that explains of a kingdom and group of men fighting for it. Beyond this opening text, there is little further world building, and to excellent service of the film’s 27-minute runtime. Showing great discipline for such a young director, Sugg controls herself and chooses not to waste any of her valuable screen time explaining unnecessary aspects of this fictional world, jumping straight into the story and staying there until the final frames.
The film stars Ethan Mitchell and Gregory Colt Sugg as young men and fighters in the kingdom’s army that are named Francois and Niles, respectful. Niles is something of a fiery, quick to act, war-hero who saved Francois in a battle set some time before the film’s events. Francois is the levelheaded counterpart of this Irish/fantasy Little John and Robin Hood style duo. When the story begins, Francois and Niles have been under the command of Sir Foxthorne (Mike Parker) for an undetermined length of time.
However long it has been, the fighters are quite happy when a group of women from the kingdom comes to deliver news of the war elsewhere. It is at this moment, in the story, that one of the best uses of exposition (from an independent film) emerges in the disguise of a gentleman’s squabble between Francois and Niles over one of the women who has come to the camp, Lady Amélie (Sarah Beth Short). The writers of the film, which includes the film’s director and Robert Perkins Sugg III, crafted this scene with witty dialog that gave the story needed history without being bland or dragging as so often is the case. In this sense, “Iron” has pulled off something many films (even with a larger budget) fail to do.
Not only does this squabble for Amélie give some backstory, but it provides a sweet moment of character introduction for the gentlemen. Although the storyline of Amélie feels to be a loose thread when the credits roll, it does serve the story well in the moment. Still, it would have been nice to receive closer on Amélie’s behalf.
The film stars Ethan Mitchell and Gregory Colt Sugg as young men and fighters in the kingdom’s army that are named Francois and Niles, respectful. Niles is something of a fiery, quick to act, war-hero who saved Francois in a battle set some time before the film’s events. Francois is the levelheaded counterpart of this Irish/fantasy Little John and Robin Hood style duo. When the story begins, Francois and Niles have been under the command of Sir Foxthorne (Mike Parker) for an undetermined length of time.
However long it has been, the fighters are quite happy when a group of women from the kingdom comes to deliver news of the war elsewhere. It is at this moment, in the story, that one of the best uses of exposition (from an independent film) emerges in the disguise of a gentleman’s squabble between Francois and Niles over one of the women who has come to the camp, Lady Amélie (Sarah Beth Short). The writers of the film, which includes the film’s director and Robert Perkins Sugg III, crafted this scene with witty dialog that gave the story needed history without being bland or dragging as so often is the case. In this sense, “Iron” has pulled off something many films (even with a larger budget) fail to do.
Not only does this squabble for Amélie give some backstory, but it provides a sweet moment of character introduction for the gentlemen. Although the storyline of Amélie feels to be a loose thread when the credits roll, it does serve the story well in the moment. Still, it would have been nice to receive closer on Amélie’s behalf.
Cinematography
The first shots in the film are beautiful and well-timed, an accurate reflection of Sugg’s previous work on “Absolution” with cinematographer J. Bennett Self. However, this time out Sugg is working with cinematographer Ryan Trenkamp who recently shot and directed the film “Pieces”. Although Trenkamp has proven himself in the past with imaginative imagery (“Pieces” is one such example), the director/cinematographer relationship of Sugg and Trenkamp delivered a less stable product than that of past projects they worked on separately.
The film began strong but hit bumpy patches anytime action or fighting was depicted. But, it is not to be overlooked that Trenkamp’s and Sugg’s talent is seen in the low-light conversational scenes of the film, as they look stunning. However, when the film reaches its fight scenes, Sugg and Trenkamp seem to struggle with landing the punches. All things considered, it would be nice to see another team-up between these two creatives that better highlights their skills together.
The film began strong but hit bumpy patches anytime action or fighting was depicted. But, it is not to be overlooked that Trenkamp’s and Sugg’s talent is seen in the low-light conversational scenes of the film, as they look stunning. However, when the film reaches its fight scenes, Sugg and Trenkamp seem to struggle with landing the punches. All things considered, it would be nice to see another team-up between these two creatives that better highlights their skills together.
Cast
It would be worth noting that both Ethan Mitchell and Gregory Colt Sugg’s acting in this film is excellent! With most of their scenes taking place together, Ethan Mitchell and Gregory Colt Sugg demonstrate how a good casting pair-up should feel. Embodying the characters, these two bring completely conflicting views to every dialog. Disagreeing around every turn. An interaction that is reminiscent of a true lifelong friendship as the characters should have.
One of Ethan Mitchell and Gregory Colt Sugg best moments is in a war strategy meeting with Sir Foxthorne and the following confrontation around a campfire. In the scene Niles (Gregory Colt Sugg), without seeking any permission, blows fire with his commander in an argument over troops’ placement. A great look into the characters fiery young heart, and commitment to serve the kingdom. On the other hand, Francois (Ethan Mitchell) waits until the organized meeting has reached a conclusion before requesting to speak his mind. When denied permission he regretfully obeys his commander in his own act of love and commitment to the kingdom.
Both Mitchell and Sugg are green actors, breaking character for moments when another is not speaking. However, even aged actors can sub-come to such temptations. Honestly, though, it can not be said enough at how well this scene plays for both actors.
One of Ethan Mitchell and Gregory Colt Sugg best moments is in a war strategy meeting with Sir Foxthorne and the following confrontation around a campfire. In the scene Niles (Gregory Colt Sugg), without seeking any permission, blows fire with his commander in an argument over troops’ placement. A great look into the characters fiery young heart, and commitment to serve the kingdom. On the other hand, Francois (Ethan Mitchell) waits until the organized meeting has reached a conclusion before requesting to speak his mind. When denied permission he regretfully obeys his commander in his own act of love and commitment to the kingdom.
Both Mitchell and Sugg are green actors, breaking character for moments when another is not speaking. However, even aged actors can sub-come to such temptations. Honestly, though, it can not be said enough at how well this scene plays for both actors.
Style
For most of the film's 27-minute runtime, the director leaves every major event mostly unexplained. To look at an example, the women coming to the camp at the beginning of the film is never really explained. Sure they come delivering a message about reinforcements, but a scout also brings that same information in the same scene. This brings up questions in the mind of the viewer, could the women be there for another reason? Could they be enemy spies? Could they just be missing the men so much they were willing to make a dangerous trip to the frontlines? For whatever reason they came, it is not directly explained, and the story completely forgets about it in the next scene retaining no lasting effects from the encounter. It seems that Crimson Rose Sugg rather have audiences experience a slice of life than explain events to them, a method she used to significant effect in “Absolution,” but one that seems to come up short this go around.
Costumes
The only way to describe the costumes in this film is to draw attention to the director of that department, Betsy Clemons. Viewers have been able to see many of Clemons’ masterpieces hit the screens in 2018, and all of them have been stunning! Rivaled only by Havah Perry at the 2018 CWVFF, Clemons has found an artistic partner in director Crimson Rose Sugg. Their first time as a duo was on Sugg’s film “Absolution,” and it is a joy to see them bringing that dirty “real” feel from “Absolution” to the next level here. A pitfall that young filmmakers often land in is not wanting to mess-up their costumes. A fear that has reasonable grounds considering the low budgets of these films and the cost of costume replacements. However, it does lowers the realism of a film when costumes that should be drenched in mud look freshly washed. Clemons and Sugg stay well away from this pitfall and brings the audience a very truthful depiction of the frontline-lives of these warriors. In fact, the use of costumes in this film could easily be its strongest leg.
The only thing more any viewer could hope for is to see Sugg and Clemons work together on a CITC Productions film.
The only thing more any viewer could hope for is to see Sugg and Clemons work together on a CITC Productions film.
Editing
Although no editor is credited, it is easily seen that the editor of “Iron” is still learning the ropes. This is not at all a bad thing, as all people must learn a skill at one point, even those called “gifted” had to learn the craft. However, “Iron’s” editor should be encouraged to play a little with scene transitions. The film could have been severed by fewer fades between scenes.
Final Thoughts
The set-up and development that director Crimson Rose Sugg is able to pull off for both the characters and the plot of her film are more than worthy of mentioning, however, the payoff for all of that is lacking at points. Crimson Rose Sugg's second time in the director’s chair proves she can be clever, but also can fall into some of the well-known story-based traps common for low budget shorts. However, with some great direction, beautiful sets/costumes, and quality performances by the lead cast (such as Gregory Colt Sugg’s spirited delivery of Niles) Crimson Rose Sugg is able to lead her creative team to a well-won victory. "Iron" is a short film that is worth the viewing.
Ideas...
I'd like to see a film in the style of Katherine Johnson's "Bump" that was written by Katherine, directed by Crimson Rose, costumed by a team of Havah & Betsy, that stars Gregory Colt & Ethan, and is creatively produced by CITC Productions.
So...someone get on that and send me a copy when it's done!
So...someone get on that and send me a copy when it's done!
-Christopher D. Stewart
