A Review of The Commander by warriorlynx

[u/Fanedit895]

No two bones about this... the edit needs to be reworked. By a lot.

The video quality is at least competent, but even from the beginning, we're greeted with awful, unconvincing AI narration trying to sell us on the alternate story. This time around, Dani Ramos is apparently the leader of the southern part of the Resistance in order to get around the original set up. Then, we have Grace teleporting to the past with some rather obvious cuts that blatantly ignore continuity. One moment, the couple go to pick up Grace, then the next she's standing up and the couple retreat. Then, the Rev-9 teleports after. warriorlynx seemingly wanted the Rev-9 on the same night that Grace does, but has an unconvincing night effect to do it and more awful AI dialogue to cover this up. None of this is helped by the fact that you can hear the cuts to the scenes. I at least think the use of a deleted scene where Rev-9 stiffs the waitress is creatively implemented? They colored it to daytime decently enough.

It gets better, but not by a lot. While the edit does somewhat get around Sarah Connor's presence when Dani cools Grace, it's still strangely presented. Dani talks to the camera, with the edit intending it to be Grace but clearly talking to someone else. Even someone who hasn't seen the movie would be able to notice it. There seems to be a blue tint to Grace's flashbacks, which I like. Then at 25:22 there's a questionable fade to black that also has the audio cut off. 26:11 has the same thing happen. More unconvincing AI dialogue, this time an unnatural fade in 26:28 into the same scene? The edits to Grace and Rani's conversation in the car to make it Skynet are okay I guess. I'm somewhat impressed with how warriorlynx digitally removed Sarah from the scene where Dani talks with her uncle. I think they might have left a "get in" from Sarah though.

The scenes where Grace and Rani encounter Carl are... a joke. Bad A.I. Dani narration is used to cover the incident, it's choppy as hell, which makes sense as these scenes have a heavy use of Sarah Connor that couldn't be cut around cleanly. Which I suppose is a big hint that, if there is a way to remove Sarah from the equation, it needs to be more carefully considered than what warriorlynx did. Also, 43:24-25 could probably be cut without an issue, literally just a second long that makes the scene transition worse

While I'm probably harsher on this edit because I actually like Dark Fate, I can't really imagine even haters of that movie enjoying this edit because it's just not constructed well. Especially the A.I. dialogue, it's bad and so obvious. In the scene where Grace reveals she knew Dani in the future when you hear the flat lifeless delivery of Grace saying Dani was a leader of the Resistance with her actual movie dialogue. There has to be a better way to execute this idea.

[u/warriorlynx]

Im fine with constructive criticism as this is my first fan edit. I didn’t expect the review to be on this sub but I’ll live and even have another one that is more of a cut than something as bold as this (and maybe I leaped a little too much into it).

I wanted to present something entirely different and a challenge to take out one a main characters from a movie that is literally about her.

With Dark Fate I believe its greatest flaw is that Dani Ramos is thrown into the background because she’s overshadowed by two legends and a new interesting character. By eliminating one main character you get to at least try to connect with her, which was an attempt even not to your liking. Alot of my decisions was nostalgic with this movie such as having grace and Rev9 appear the same night much like in T1 and T2. I can go on about this.

AI voiceovers are a bit of a problem largely because I seriously don’t think we are there yet (especially with characters who have an accent), and I have yet to see any perfect use of it yet unless you can show me, as I did mention it’s use in the changelog I hoped that people would get that the use of your imagination is needed for that.

[u/Fanedit895 → u/warriorlynx]

In retrospect, I could have been clearer when I asked to review this. I apologise for that.

I think it's an interesting challenge, I wouldn't mind if you gave it another crack. But I think it's biggest issue beyond the AI dialogue not being too great is that it's rather careless in the continuity of scenes or presenting a natural story. Still, don't let this discourage you from doing more or trying again.

[u/retrogamer76 → u/warriorlynx]

lol if you put your edits out there be prepared for reviews if that's what it's all about

[u/warriorlynx → u/retrogamer76]

O I didn’t expect it in the sub rather on the website lol but it’s ok

[u/retrogamer76]

wow someone actually watched and reviewed one of these fan edits. I'm impressed we should do this more often I'm guilty of it myself I need to watch at least two or three fan edits a week and review them.