The Challenge

Serious serious shame this wasn't in on time. I'm guessing this was the issue. Brilliantly funny, well shot, well cast, great songs. Virtually faultless.

Loved the Bobby Young character, could watch an entire feature film with that guy in it. Some great lyrics and song pieces. Shot really well too. Felt the story was a little weak, but entertaining and good effort on the dreaded Musical/Dance genre. Shame it didn't make it in time.

Our hero loses his job at the DVD store for staring lustfully at one female customer in particular. He gets advice to join an army training programme which he takes up. The Drill Sergent is a bit of a hard-arse and the trainees go through their programme (courtesy of a montage) to become the best they can be! Superby shot, acted, sounds great and all of that slickness. However, I think it was a couple of minutes before we heard the first song and in general I felt that there was too much dialogue and the songs were thrown in because they had to be there. So, rather than the songs driving the story forward, it was the prolonged dialogue scenes which sort of defeats the purpose of a musical. This is a shame because the songs were pretty good, especially the final number. Great freeze frame ending, geneal all round excellent use of the elements, heaps of fun and a shame it was disqualified as it was popular with the audience.

Phil quits the DVD store when his new boss is a dick (insisting he do actual work, goddamnit), though not without some regrets, as he leaves a cute customer girl behind. Now unemployed, he signs up for an army course, and ends up at the not-so-tender mercies of drill sergeant Bobby Young (who reminded me of a slightly chunkier, moustachioed Zach Braff), who raps an introduction that makes it clear that this won't be a walk in the park. Sure enough, soon Phil and his fellow recruits are singing about how sucky their lives are, but just when things seem at their worst, the sarge informs them they'll be taking a big final (and surprisingly lethal) obstacle course. The recruits go down one-by-one in amusing fashion, but Phil makes it to the final confrontation with Sgt. Young and triumphs by bending a wire into a somehow-actually-working machine gun. A big dance number to finish and then a great freeze frame ending with the sudden arrival of the cute girl from the DVD store. Confectionery Aisle normally produce an entertaining short, and this was no exception. Very nicely shot and some great use of the elements, although to get picky Bobby Young seemed like he was *still* a bully - perhaps he was an ex-illegitimate-bully, and joining the army conferred some official status on his bullying. Some amusing use of FX as well. Although as others have commented the story was perhaps a bit slight, it kept the audience laughing all the way through, and a shame to see it DQ'd.

[Watched this in the screening room] OMG i loved your intro, best intro I have seen to anything ever. I believe this film was late being submitted. This film rocks, its freakin awesome. REALLY good use of the line, brilliant cinematography, great acting (especially the video store guy) kinda looks like they had the uniforms before hand... bet they had a laugh when they got musical! The signing was freaking epic (and the dnacing army chicks). Really clever diologe in the songs as well (checking out my... chest press! hahaha) OMG the sarge's laugh right before the epic wire challange, so funny!! Loved it! the use of the wire was amazing, totally wasn't expecting it. This is by far the best V48 hours film I have ever seen.

[Watched this in the screening room] OMG i loved your intro, best intro I have seen to anything ever. I believe this film was late being submitted. This film rocks, its freakin awesome. REALLY good use of the line, brilliant cinematography, great acting (especially the video store guy) kinda looks like they had the uniforms before hand... bet they had a laugh when they got musical! The signing was freaking epic (and the dnacing army chicks). Really clever diologe in the songs as well (checking out my... chest press! hahaha) OMG the sarge's laugh right before the epic wire challange, so funny!! Loved it! the use of the wire was amazing, totally wasn't expecting it. This is by far the best V48 hours film I have ever seen.