Alright, Sup Forums. I'm currently working on a film script for the fantasy genre. I'm currently in a rut, and the only way to get out of it is research/inspiration. I need to do some homework to figure out just what works and what doesn't work in fantasy films.
So, I ask four things of you.
>fantasy movies you liked
>fantasy movies you didn't like
>what you like/want to see in fantasy movies
>what you don't like/don't want to see in fantasy movies
Thanks.
Bump.
In all honesty, don't try to do something Tolkien-like with dragons and elves. It's likely to be Eragon tier. Dark fantasy is underexplored and there is a lot of room for that if done properly, or something set in a desert. Particularly, I think something using Indian mythology would be an easy and quick crash grab from Final Fantasy fans: throw Efreets and Shiva in and they're bound to come.
LIKED
>LotR (I don't think I need to explain)
>Narnia I
>The Golden Compass
DISLIKED
>Eragon
>Percy Jackson
>Hobbit III
EXPECT
>Good soundtrack
>(If you make fight/war scenes, MAKE THEM FUCKING GOOD!)
>Good setting.
>A city plot. I loved the exploration of distant lands when I was young, but have this been over-used! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read Cityscape for Dungeons & Dragons 3.5. It's a complete book dedicated to high fantasy plots, settings, heroes and villains (ignore the rule parts)
WHAT I WON'T PAY TO SEE
>Dude, elves! LMAO
>Dragons as simply fire-breathing lizards. This meme needs to die!
>Chosen ones and prophecies
>Muh young, dumb and unexperienced protagonist
>"It's magic! I don't have to explain shit!" as a Deus Ex Machina.
Thanks for the response.
>>Muh young, dumb and unexperienced protagonist
>>"It's magic! I don't have to explain shit!" as a Deus Ex Machina.
Can you expand on these, please? For the first, if the character has one or two of those traits, does it fall under that rule? And, what's a deus ex machina in this context. Like, if it was a well-established plot point that magic works in this way, does that not count against this preference, or does it still?
are you working on an epic fantasy set in a mythical world?
I'm not 100% settled on the premise yet, but I think it's going to develop more into a dark fantasy thriller than your traditional epic fantasy. As if Red Riding Hood has to escape out of the woods, and the wolf is pursuing her. Meanwhile, other mythical creatures reside in the woods that also want to trap her and slow her down.
what you want to see in fantasy movies
>strong usage of color, and mystical locations
>fantastical events and creatures
>proper demons and dragons
what you don't like/don't want to see in fantasy movies
>shitty, hackjob monster designs
>generic happily ever after
>stories that make poor use of the fantasy backdrop/elements, or almost ignore them
>ken doll monsters in a realistic, or R+ rated movie
>>generic happily ever after
Is there such a way to achieve a non-generic happily ever after?
>Dragon thread
I guess I'll get it started
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Not that user but will answer anyway.
>Muh young, dumb unexperienced protagonist
Having a young dumb inexperienced protagonist stumble into some new world at this point is just a fantasy genre cliche, don't do that.
>"It's magic! I don't have to explain shit!" as a Deus Ex Machina.
Don't have random new facts found out about magic or something else unknown in vital moments of the plot, because it would feel like a Deus Ex Machina.
Try to stray away from average PG-13 fantasy genre cliche's and go for a more dark R rated route. Tale of Tales is a good example.
>wasting perfectly good draconic poon on a Sup Forums thread
It's like throwing diamonds into an ocean of piss.
Since this thread is turning into porn, I'm pretty sure there isn't a single movie out there with any glimpse of dragon cunt/dick.
Some books though. The Temeraire series has a few (very short) dragon fucking scenes
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>something set in a desert
>Indian mythology
sounds like ass
>fantasy movies you liked
Hansel and Gretel Witch hunters needs a sequel damn it. Gods of Egypt was surprisingly enjoyable, but I don't know if that counts as typical fantasy. The first Hobbit film, and the obvious LOTR trilogy. Avatar. Dragonheart.
>didn't like
Hobbit sequels. Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. Warcraft.. Dragonheart sequels.
>what you like/want to see in fantasy movies
Well developed non-human characters. One of the few good things about Warcraft and The second hobbit movie were the orcs, and those Smaug scenes. Too bad they didn't outweigh the badness of their films.
World building that is relevant to the plot/theme. Not a fantasy movie, but Gattaca is a good example of doing this right, although its almost too blunt about it, its a good example to follow and this type of close-knit world building with plot is something i see more in science fiction than fantasy.
>what you don't like/don't want to see in fantasy movies
same as in every genre - underdeveloped characters, plot holes, uninteresting main protagonist, archetypal overall shallow story etc
But i guess also gritty 'realistic fantasy' or a heavy emphasis on politics by fat enabled beardfat with glasses idiot 'novelist' Game of Thrones can go fuck off.
>Dark fantasy is underexplored and there is a lot of room for t
No, fuck off. Seventh Son was garbage and so is GoT. 'muh dark realistic mundane' fantasy shit, it's a contradiction. Fantasy is supposed to be fantastical. It's why the earlier Harry Potter films work while the later ones don't.