Trenches (2010– ) User Reviews

May be low budget, but high production value....Great job.

[islandfilmmaker · 8/10 · 24 February 2011]

There are a lot of critics in the world....but very few of those have actually produced a successful film all on their own. I know from personal experience the monumental task this is, and the incredible dedication and sacrifice it takes to get it done. Its easy to knit-pick something when you are used to seeing multi-million dollar productions. But when you evaluate a project like this, and focus on the achievement of the participants outside the big studio production world, you can really see the merits of the piece and the talent of their leadership. This project is an example of world class production on a shoestring. If you think you can do better, go for it, we wish you the best and I will be the first one in line to buy a ticket, popcorn and a soda and I will read all the credits when its over.

Until you have "walked the walk," I recommend you have another sip of "shut the F- up," and take your seat. If you have "walked the walk," then you should be more humble when you "talk the talk," and focus on the positive.

Regarding Toff's review......

[joseph_gatt · 21 February 2010]

I pretty much agree with everything he's said...it's amazing what has been put together here with a very small budget. I've seen shows with much higher budgets producing far, far less!!!

That being said, it seems very unfair to attack and blame the "not so famous" cast for "stale and robotic dialogue". Two points; Some of the cast members are VERY experienced and talented actors and, it seems, did the best they could with what the writers provided. If the writing is bad in any way...a talented actor can only rescue it so much....and i speak from both experience AND observation. Maybe the director, who appears to have much less experience then some of the actors, actually wanted the dialogue delivered that way. Unless we were on set we will never know this. Also, you are making assumptions that only "famous" actors can deliver dialogue...well, watching many famous actors on the big big screen, proves this is not always the case.

Anyway, nuff said, point made....I think this show is tremendous fun and very well put together considering what they've tried to do on what was probably a tiny budget. the acting is strong and purposeful, great stunts and fighting and some pretty impressive SFX, which, 5 years ago, even Babylon 5 couldn't match with a network budget!!

Go Trenches!!! Here's wishing great future success to all involved!!

Short episodes, some unoriginality, but worthy of viewing

[computermaniac22 · 19 February 2010]

First I'll say that I had been waiting for over a year for Trenches to be released. Every since the site went up. So I was disappointed when the date came around for release and yet nothing had changed. But now that things are finally up and running, I'm pretty happy to be viewing it. However, the episodes are way too short.

Short five minute episodes make up the series. OK, I understand that this was done on a budget but come on! I've never heard of anyone ever cramming everything they need to in a five minute episode. Heck, those hour long episodes of LOST on TV are too short. Five minutes make this project look and feel like it was a bit rushed.

While watching, I couldn't help but notice a similar theme to the movie Pitch Black. And the opening scene seems more like a tribute to Star Wars. I know that Shane Felux directed Star Wars: Revelations but he doesn't need to bring such unoriginality to an already interesting plot. But as long as we don't start seeing light sabers, I'm cool. Overall, it did get me hooked. I want to see the next episode. I just wish that they would have made them longer.

Firefly Meets Starship Troopers! - Minus the Bugs...(Dangit!)

[broncodan1 · 16 February 2010]

Ah yes! What starts out as just a simple extraction turns into oodles of Sci-Fi fun!...but I won't spoil anything for you. First off, if you're a Sci-Fi lover...watch this series!! Having only seen the first three episodes,(only episodes out at the time) one can only attempt to predict the outcome!...so I won't...but I will say that this show pulled me in right from the start! From its "guns a blazing" attitude to its not so witty dialogue, this series has a completely different spin than its predecessors.

What I was most impressed with in this series,(which I have not seen from many major studios) was the attempt to actually SHOW as much of the surrounding battle as possible! Most studios stray from this because "it's too expensive, blah blah blah". Not only did they attempt to show more action, but they also removed ridiculous "jesting/joking" during the intense battle scenes. We've all heard it...

(Sarge)- "Take the ridge!...and if you die out there I'll kill you Private!"

(Private)- *quirky smile*..."Thanks Sarge!"

Stupid. Don't get me wrong, show's like this are a hoot!...and on occasion can be very good at BOTH!(Firefly) However, it's sooo refreshing to finally get a series like "Trenches", A series that takes serious things seriously...like death...since dying is usually semi serious. That being said, "Trenches" could still use some improvement. Some of the dialogue is stale and is very robotic...which could also be in part to the not so famous actors/actresses, whom I think are doing a fine job at this point. (let's keep an eye on them as the series continues...)

The style of the series reminds me a lot of other series' and films in the same genre. (even some PC games!..."Halo" anyone?) From the dusty almost "cowboy-ish" terrain of a series like "Firefly", to the costumes and the epic space battles of films like "Starship Troopers", this show has class!

When it's all said and done, and the dust of this series and many others like it has finally cleared...you'll be glad you gave it a chance! Who knows...you might even be pleasantly surprised!