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My reaction was generally negative. The plot for this one was very thin. Usually for each campaign there is a clear beginning and ending, with the Mobile Infantry troopers learning several important things about the bugs during the campaign. But the Hydora Campaign was weak. They had very little story. There is one sequence during one of the later episodes on this DVD where the troopers are on a hovercraft and are chased by bugs across the water for around nine minutes. This got very tedious and it was clear that the writers did not have much story. It reminded me of the saying that it is boring to watch somebody else play a video game. Seeing people get chased for nine minutes is dull.
Another annoying feature of this disc, common to several of the others, is that a great deal of the dialogue consists of smart-aleck cliches tossed back and forth. Sometimes this is done cleverly, but after awhile one gets the impression that the writers simply looked up cliches in a book and dropped them into the script.
I am going to buy the entire set, but this is the one that I will probably rewatch the least. In fact, it can essentially be skipped for the next disk in the set.
In this campaign, the characters continue to grow and develop. Carl Jenkins develops his mental powers to a new height when he confronts the first appearance of a brain bug.
Hydora is a planet of apparently dense water that doesn't allow itself too much for boiyancy and swimming. So the troopers wear a inflatable life perserver in case they fall in. Which, unfortunately happens a lot. However there is land on this planet but it's mainly just like corral reef type stuff and caves. While being a water planet, we get to see a lot of new hardware. Water skiffs, jet ski type thingies and some weapons that go kablooey.
In this campaign we see basically one type of bug. The Ripplers, who this time are animated a bit better than they were in Pluto. The Ripplers' main weapon is a volley of sharp barbs that come from their mouths. This of course provides a new problem for our MI troopers. However we do see some regular warrior bugs, but being a water planet, the Ripplers are more suited for this planet.
Now the action once again is top-notch. We see a lot of nice explosions of bugs going kablooey. There's a really great scene at the end with lots of stuff going on. Be sure to check out the technical commentary during that section.
But all in all, this campaign is quite exciting, but a bit tedious at times due to the static environment they're in.
Techniques, bloopers, flaws, and all the inside information about how Roughnecks was made are discussed in a laid back, humourous discussion between the producer and the 3D guru's that made the show. While I enjoyed all of the Roughnecks series, the pure extra information that has been added onto the show is what makes this DVD (and the others I'm sure!) great value for money!
Beware of the filmmaker's commentary track during the fourth episode. It contains a HUGE SPOILER about what happens in episode 35 out of 40, which I haven't seen. And I am furious! I admit, I should have seen it coming since it's in the book and the movie, but it was exciting not knowing how the show would follow (or not follow) the turning points in the book. If you're a newbie fan like me, I suggest you don't let this happen to you.
Hydora isn't horrible - a keeper, no doubt - but it definately lacks the emotional depth of Tesca and the thrilling excitement of Tophet. The animation is of the same quality as the others, but duplicating water on CGI is nearly impossible. And the whole planet is made up of... WATER. The animators bit off more than they could chew.
Buy this one for the last episode in which Carl's psychic powers are developed. The last few images are highly poignant.
For anyone intending to eventually purchase all of the disks, I feel strongly that your best bet is to watch them in order. Plotlines are developed that span the 5 episode story arcs that are combined into "campaigns" for these DVDs. You wouldn't start reading the book at page 100, would you?
For those who are unsure, or just want to buy a single disk to "check it out", the choice will be tougher. It's a tough call, but I'd probably recommend Tophet or Tesca. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Hydora a great deal. I just think that the others have a bit more to offer visually, particularly with the equipment and vehicles that are featured. Animating the aquatic world of Hydora was bound to be tough. Creating realistic computer generated water, particularly water in motion, is terribly difficult. If for no other reason, this must have been the toughest arc for Foundation Imaging to make work. There are interesting environments, cool combat scenes, excellent voice acting, and an intelligent script. Hydora belongs in your collection.
Although the plot and characterization *could* be deeper, compared to most tv and almost all animation on USA TV, the quality is extremely high.
The animation, while a little rough in places, really starts to explore and expand the CGI medium.
Rounding out the DVD are two sets of commentaries, one by the filmmakers and one by the technical people. Talk about replay value! I think this is outstanding and raises the bar for DVD production of an animated series.
I also like how the series is arranged in 5 part story arcs (and all 5 parts per disc). Makes it great to watch! Highly recommended!
These Roughnecks DVD's continue to improve with each release! The layout and design of the Conceptual Art Gallery is a substantial improvement over previous efforts, the color schemes for the interactive menus are a bit easier on the eyes. Video and sound are both digitally mastered, the sound has been completely remixed for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround-sound. Worth every penny! The only thing I can think to complain about is that the new Tesca Campaign trailer included on the disc is virtually indistinguishable from the old Pluto trailer. Oh well. Still no reason you shouldn't stop reading this review and go buy this DVD!
After discovering the 'bugs' on Pluto, the Roughnecks follow the threat to Hydora, a world covered in water. Hoping to find the bug's home world, the squad discovers a planet that is one of the Arachnid's conquered worlds. On missions ranging from reconnaissance to search-and-destroy, our heroes face new perils with every new bug species. The Hydora campaign comes to a climax when the Roughnecks discover a brain bug, a massive swollen grub that acts as the unifying mind of the bug armies. Only Carl Jenkins, the squad's psychic has any hope of facing the bug and destroying it.
"Roughnecks" represents the best CGI animation that ever came to TV. Animated by Foundation Imaging (who also did digital effects for Babyon 5 and Star Trek: Voyager), the series has a sophistication and realism never before accomplished on the small screen. In Hydora, I was amazed by the superior water effects, atmospheric 'haze' and first rate character animation. What is equally remarkable is that the story and characters are sophisticated enough for even this adult to enjoy. If you've seen the earlier DVD's (Pluto campaign and Tesca campaign) you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't seen this series yet, you're in for a real treat! Any serious fan of science fiction, computer animation or good storytelling will love this series.
For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.
-- H. L. Mencken
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow
in Australia.
-- Charles Schulz
