Because of my video and film background, I have big admiration for anyone that attempts to do their own superhero short film. Just finished watching the latest from Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel, called the League, and it isn’t what you think. First it is a noir crime story set in Chicago, and while it does feature superheroes, it doesn’t feature any IP owned by someone else.
From the press release
Filmmakers Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel are proud to announce the completion of The League, a brand new superhero noir from Windy City Pictures and the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. The project, having been mentored by writer/director Tom Mankiewicz (Superman, Diamonds are Forever, Dragnet), was a thesis film for Chapman University.
The League also features artwork by comic book creator Eric Wight (Justice League of America, The Escapist, My Dead Girlfriend).
With the 1946 formation of “The League of Heroes” in Chicago, the country is introduced to the first ever Superhero Labor Union. Founded by The Grey Raven, his kid sidekick Sparrow, and the amazing Blue Blaze, The League of Heroes was a beacon of hope against evil and tyranny in Chicago. Now twenty years later, as The League is about to expand nationally, an old adversary makes a murderous comeback. Drawn by the rampage, the former sidekick Sparrow returns to the city–and The League–for the first time in years.
The cinematography is good, and there are plenty of cool special effects – some work and some don’t. The acting is hit and miss, but I’d give it 4 out 5 Stars if this were an official Major Spoilers Review.
Note to all wanna-be film makers: Stop taking intellecutal properties of other companies and create our own. Captain Blasto did it, and so has The League of Heroes. Any time you create a fan film using copyrighted and trademarked characters, you’re only asking for trouble.
You can watch the full film– in high definition no less – at The League website.
8 Comments
It’s really nice
I really liked this video. I thought it was really well done.
Why is it that Chicago always makes the best backdrop for noir films
is the movie up anywhere else ??? it’s seems to have been taken down or is it that I live in Canada ? where it is to cold for videos to come through over the internet
well actually it has decided to work for me suddenly after I posted that hurray internet !
Pretty neat actually, very well done very few negative things to say and a lot of positive things to say.. Unfortunately i don’t have all day.
Mostly i’m impressed by how they really captured the noir atmosphere, which can be pretty hard.
A lot of good production value doesn’t necessarily mean you get “The feel” but they sure did.
Wow, this was great! I hope we get to see more of this universe. This is how a Watchment movie could be done right.
Saw this when it first came out and it stayed in my head but I couldn’t remember the title happy I found it again.