April 19, 2012

Mine Enemy.

Perhaps for most the flick, 'Enemy Mine' has passed on into obscurity as just another sci-fi thing.


Based on the book written by Barry B. Longyear of the same name, 'Enemy Mine' focuses on the story of a Bilateral Terran Alliance pilot and his Dracian enemy, both wrecked and marooned on an unregistered planet and left for dead. As they struggle to kill one another on the barren world (aren't they all?), the environment forces the two to shift their priorities and work cooperatively to survive, eventually forming an unlikely friendship.

"Shit? What do you mean, shit?"
While compared to today's visual spoilage, just about anyone will consider the effects to be silly, and the brief space battle that sets the premise for the film features noise in space (a la Star Wars), the story told is one marvelously crafted. And if I do say so myself, probably one of the better and more emotional that I've ever seen in film, let alone science fiction from yester-year. And while I admit, I'm quite shit at thoroughly explaining or swaying peoples opinions, as dictated by my rather bestial efforts at chicanery, I implore those of you that have not seen this film to seek it out, and those of you that have, to revisit it, but also to read the book should you find it.

House mk.2
As for you hobbyists out there; what potential does this whole shebang have for gaming? Nothing. Unless you're die-hard role-players that could handle the inter-character tensions and theme, or maybe the meteor showers and planetary fauna would look ace on your next backwater world. Who am I to say; or hold you back?


Also, I swear this web log is more than just binder!

2 comments:

  1. This is plain creepy - it was only yesterday I was soaking in the bath (happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me... No, just joking, I bathe twice a year), and began mulling over role playing games on the pc, namely MMOs, and how sexualised the female characters have become. Not only that, but how the male gamer populace expect the big-breasted, playboy-styled femme bot as an avatar or cry blue murder.

    So it got me thinking as to how these players would react if a character, who was, in general, asexual, was a player character racial choice? Then I remembered this film and how the alien, initially thought to be male (in human terms), produces offspring without a mate. And now this post! Spooky. Loved the film, and two good actors into the pot.

    Good post, as usual ;) Many thanks again for supporting the 'Blog Spot', without the likes of yourself, new (and struggling) bloggers would simply end up giving in. Kudos to you, sir :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, did you say your birthday was the 20th? 4/20th; that's my birth-date. Now that's creepy! XD

      But yes, that would be interesting to see how people react to races and character types outside of the set tropes and cliches.

      The closest we've ever strayed that way in our group, was when one of us (myself) was playing a custom race for the setting. They reproduced solely for the means of continuing the species, and were not prone to sexual fantasies or fancy; there was no drive for it at all. The other characters were a fair bit perturbed, given their womanizing. It saved us all from a TPK when the sirens (my name for them) easily charmed everyone but my character.

      This film is one of few direct influences on my design mentality when it comes to non-humans. Even if it was just a lithe actor in a suit, the character of Jeriba Shigan is one of the most interesting and dynamic non-humans I've seen in a long time.

      Films need to return to making interesting characters in place of visceral 3-D monsters all the time.

      Delete