Halo Legends (2010)

The universe of the Halo video game series is expanded in seven short animated films from Japan's greatest anime directors and studios.

Directors:

Frank O'Connor, Shinji Aramaki

Writers:

Joseph Staten (game), Frank O'Connor (screenplay cooperation)

Stars:

Josh Grelle, Luci Christian, Brittney Karbowski

Cast

Credited cast:
Josh Grelle	...	Haka (segment "The Duel") (voice)
Luci Christian	...	Female Soldier (segment "Prototype") / Kelly (segment "The Package") (voice)
Brittney Karbowski	...	Sister (segment "Odd One Out") (voice)
Greg Ayres	...	Kid A (segment "Odd One Out") (voice)
David Matranga	...	Sarge (segment "Prototype") / Joseph (segment "Homecoming") (voice)
John Swasey	...	Captain (segment "Odd One Out") / Sergeant Hauser (segment "Homecoming") (voice)
Atsuko Tanaka	...	Dr. Halsey (segment "The Package") (voice)
David Wald	...	Master Chief (segments "The Package" and "Odd One Out") (voice)
Akio Ôtsuka	...	ONI Commander (segment "Prototype") (voice)
Chris Ayres	...	Solider (segment "Prototype") (voice)
Emily Neves	...	Spartan (segment "The Babysitter") (voice)
Deke Anderson	...	1337 (segment "Odd One Out") (voice)
Chris Patton	...	Big Brother (segment "Odd One Out") (voice)
Kikuko Inoue	...	Han (segment "The Duel") (voice)
Kenta Miyake	...	Sergeant Hauser (segment "Homecoming") (voice)

Storyline

A collection of seven stories from the Halo Universe created by Japan's most creative minds. First up is "Origins" a two part episode showing the expansive history of the Halo Universe and the history of the 100,000 year long franchise timeline, told through the eyes of Cortana. Second comes "The Duel" Taking place long before the Human-Covenant War, it tells the story of an Arbiter, Fal 'Chavamee, who refuses to accept the Covenant Religion. Taking a turn to the Spartan side of the story "Homecoming" focuses on the tragedies involving the Spartan-II recruitment in 2517, and the Spartans coming to terms with their origins. Taking a turn in tone comes "Odd One Out" a non-cannon parody of the Halo storyline. "Prototype" tells the story of a Marine who goes against his orders to destroy an advanced prototype armor and uses the suit to buy time for civilians evacuating from the planet. "The Babysitter" tales of the the rivalry between the Spartan-II Commandos and the Orbital Drop Shock ...

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Plot Keywords:

halo | spartan | anime | macguffin | mecha | 

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violent content throughout

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

16 February 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Halo Legends

Filming Locations:

Chicago Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Microsoft, J-Spec Pictures, Studio 4°C

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trailer for this project was debuted at San Diego Comic Con 2009. Among the attendees to promote the project were Production I.G President Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Studio 4°C president Eiko Tanaka.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

1337: Well... I'm one heck of a mama myself!

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'Halo Legends' (2010)

User Reviews

I would've given it and 8 if it wasn't for Dual and Homecoming.

The water colour style was just the wrong style for Dual, and both Dual and Homcoming were pretty boring. Oh sure they had their moments, but only one or two. Dual focused on one of the Prophets who accuses an Elite called Fal of heresy. Fal will not yield and the Prophet is forced to send another Elite to kill his wife in order to drag him to a trap. Homecoming focused on a Spartan girl who ran away at first but came back for some reason to fight for the UNSC. The flash backs, although interesting, became too much and confusing. All the other episodes ranged from decent to great. Orgins I and II answered questions about the forerunners, FINALLY we get to see those guys, but didn't answer much about the origins of the Covenent. How'd they meet each other? How did they develop a common interest of going on the Great Journey? Where did they get the technology to be one of the galaxy's most dangerous of threats? Anyway, Odd One Out was actually pretty funny, as it was supposed to parody the Halo series (I knew someone from Dragon Ball was involved!)

As for the rest, I won't summarize them now, you can search for them, but, The Package, Prototype and Babysitter, were actually good, even great. If they had done Dual and Homecoming differently, or even left them out, I probably would have given this movie an 8. Nonetheless, I give it a strong 7; I liked it and am glad I bought it out of impulse rather than rented it. It's a fair substitute to a true Halo film that we were promised for 2008, but that won't hold up for long. We will need a Halo movie.

PS: I'm not a hardcore gamer, but a casual one. Halo is cool, but it's only one of my favourite video game series, so this review is not biased to what I think of the series. I'm not a Twilight equivalent of a Halo fan (I know I keep using that, and I mean no offense, but it's the easiest example to use).