When I first read about this movie being developed by a group of devote fans, I was hesitant. After all, is a complex game, with an equally complex environment. Modeled after the most horrible nuclear disaster in history, is a hard task to recreate "The Zone" faithfully, for it's by definition, as dangerous and desolated as it is rewarding and thriving with (mutated) life. Nevertheless, as months went by and set pictures started popping up, I was amazed as the similarities between the chosen locations and the ones in the game. Finally the day came, when the final product was available for the world to see. The camera work was great, as well as sound production, but costume design is to be highlighted. Faction uniforms and badges are recreated with precision, as well as weaponry which, as in the game vary from group to group. Acting was amazing for people with no (or little) previous experience, which must have been a real challenge, the movie being made by Spanish-speaking crew, when most of the characters speak in English, or Russian. Finally, the game is taken as a heavy handed guide line, taking elements from the official Stalker series stories to create a new one that is both original and faithful to the games. To sum up, a great movie based on a great game, made by people that love Stalker, and as a result are very respectful towards the source material.
A huge shout out to GSC Game World for giving their consent towards using their original IP to the makers of the movie, whose example should be taken into account by other game companies that deal with fan made content in a much more regular basis.
A huge shout out to GSC Game World for giving their consent towards using their original IP to the makers of the movie, whose example should be taken into account by other game companies that deal with fan made content in a much more regular basis.
