Web Series Review - Halo 4 - Forward Unto Dawn

Forward Unto Dawn is a web series that premiered on the 5th October 2012 and is currently on it's fourth episode. New episodes air on Fridays and is available freely and in it's entirety on Machinima's YouTube channel.


 





 


Introduction


Microsoft have done a Halo based web series before with the animated Halo Legends which took it's creative license to it's limit. This time around they are running a tighter shift and taking more risks with a live action series featuring some notable actors.


Halo 4 is Microsoft's most expensive game ever produced. With "Forward Unto Dawn" it's easy to see why.  Familiar faces like Mike Dopud (Stargate SG1, Battlestar Galactica, Smallville, Continuum), Anna Popplewell (Chronicles of Narnia) and Osric Chau (Supernatural) support an otherwise unfamiliar cast of fresh faces.


The web series follows cadet Thomas Lasky as he struggles to live up to the high standards of his military family at the Corbulo Training Academy. The UNSC has all it can handle with human rebels called "insurrectionists" who want their own chunk of the universe. Little do they know they are on the eve of first contact with an unknown alien species.


 
















 


Impressions


Fans have heard rumours of a Halo movie for years now with no progress in sight. Even though Forward Unto Dawn is broken up into 15 minute episodes, it will more than satiate those apetites and then some. Set prior to the events of any of the Halo games it gives some unique insight into a time when many believed there were no aliens. Nothing that made us fight together for survival as a species.


A lot of props go out to 343 for using relatively unknown actors. As we've learnt with Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad, fresh faces bring a lot of mystery to a character and leaves us more engrossed in the world being presented. Time is less spent trying to recall a face and thinking about past roles. The set quality is nothing short of excellent. Production value is amazing. Details like Needler rounds that shatter on impact really makes you feel that you're in the Halo universe. It is inspiring to see such a devoted effort in science fiction. This is perhaps the best translation of a game to motion picture that I've ever seen.


Forward Unto Dawn is a marketing strategy,  make no mistake about it. The most amazing marketing strategy of all time. Masses will no doubt be rushing to purchase Halo 4 on it's November 6th release date.


 


Conclusion


The series has lived up to my expectations and is most definitely worth your time. When it's over you'll hear fans clamouring for more. Regardless of where you fall on the console divide, as a fan of science fiction, this is must see content.


 
















 


 

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