Games for Reel: Shadow of the Colossus
Some movies are dull an un-imaginative, some movies are deep and emotional; others go above and beyond cinematic boundaries and become truly epic. In the gaming world, Shadow of the Colossus took the PS2 by storm. The beautiful attention to detail and unique game design won Sony various awards. With the attention that this game has drawn, transforming it into a movie would be an easy project. Shadow of Colossus could be a truly epic film.
The film version of Shadow of colossus would have to tell the very same story as the game. The story is simple, and not very deep, but has a spiritual feel to it that dances around the question “What would you go through for the one you love?” The story begins with Wander, a lone hero, takes Mono, his alleged love, to a distant forbidden temple in order to revive her. At the temple, Wander speaks with Dormin, the spirit of the temple, begging for his help. Dormin makes a deal with Wander. If he is to revive Mono, then Wander must use his magic sword in order to defeat 16 Colossi. After each Colossus is defeated, a portion of Dormin’s soul is trusted into Wander’s body. After many Colossi are slain, it is revealed to Wander that Lord Emon, a religious man who believes Wander must be punished for visiting the forbidden temple, is following Wander. After Wander defeats the final Colossus, Lord Emon arrives at the temple and confronts Wander. The portions of Dormin’s soul have collected inside of Wander, and brings Dormin to life, using Wanders body. Dormin then attacks Lord Emon. Lord Emon magically seals Dormin, and the unfortunate hero, Wander, away forever. After Lord Emon escapes the collapsing temple, it is shown that Dormin fulfilled his agreement and Mono is revived. The story in both the film and the game would be the same; however, the film version would follow a slightly different path. Instead of simply following Wander as he slays Colossi, The movie would, at times, flash back to before he left on his journey; explaining what happened to Mono, and why Wander is going through so much to save her.
While the story is relatively simple, this movie would rely heavily on cinematic effects to draw the audience in. The game did a very good job aligning the camera with Wander in a way that would really make the payer realize just how small they are in comparison with these gargantuan Colossi. The film version of Shadow of the Colossus should mimic similar camera angels in order to make the audience feel how small they are. Upon approaching a Colossus, the Wander could look up towards the towering figure while the camera drops to the same level as his feet, in order to capture the whole Colossus in the frame. Another camera angel to help depict the size of the Colossi is an elevated one. As Wander climbs the intimidating beasts, a camera mounted on a remote helicopter could fly by at a far away distance so that the audience gets a good view of the distant landscapes, The Colossi’s body, and how tiny Wander is in proportion to these things. This same camera angle was used in Lord of the Rings, while the party was climbing over the snow-covered mountain.
Using the gorgeous environment is another powerful tool to make this movie. In the game, Wander spends a lot of time riding his horse, Agro, around the landscape in search of his next Colossus. Using the expansive planes again, puts Wander in such small proportions to the world around him. While Wander rides towards his goal, this would be a good moment to express how his sword is special. Just like in the game, Wander would hold his blade to the sun, and reflect the rays of light in order to point him in the right direction.
- Lord Emon
During his travels , a good way to portray Lord Emon, and pass the extensive time of travel is to switch scenes to Lord Emon, and his religious discussions with his colleagues, figuring out what should be done about Wanders blasphemy. Using a similar formula, while Wander battles the Colossi, at a moment of weakness, when his strength is about to give out and he can no longer hold onto the Colossus’ fur, flashing back and showing a scene of Mono and himself during joyous times, or showing her lying on the temple alter, would give him a moment of strength to overcome his obstacles and claim his victory.
There are many different Colossi with different shapes and sizes in the game. It would be appropriate to use only the most immense Colossi, similar to the one shown on the cover of the game. Using only the large Colossi will give the film more of an epic feel. One man sent on a quest to take down numerous monsters that stand as tall as skyscrapers, using only his sword, a bow, and his horse; this is a perfect start to a legendary adventure.
The roles of the characters in the film need to be appropriately portrayed. I feel that Elija Wood should play as Wander. He looks the part pretty accurately, and this isn’t the first time he would have to be a “small hero”. The role of Mono should be played by Liv Tyler. Liv would fit the roll well because she very well portrayed the look of an ancient race in her role as an elf in Lord of the Rings. The role of Lord Emon should be played by Michel Gabon. Michel should play as Lord Emon because he has an old, unforgiving look to him, as Lord Emon acted in the game. Finally, the voice of Dormin should be played by Laurence Fishburne. Laurence fits the part well because I clearly remember his serious, baritone voice from Morpheus from the Matrix trilogy.
The game did such a fantastic job with the music that it would be a shame to change any of it. The musical score to Shadow of the Colossus was composed by Kow Otani. Kow used an orchestra in order to compose a suspenseful ancient tone that matched with the world and the Colossi flawlessly. While Wander battles a Colossus, the music would be taken directly from the game, and be used in the film. It would not be difficult to use an orchestra in order to make music to fill in where Kow stopped composing. For example, while Wander travels. The music itself tells the sad tale of Wander without any words. The whimsical use of violins captures the emotion and urgency in Wander.
An overlooked device in the game that could show a stunning significance is Agro, Wanders horse. Before the final battle of the game, a bridge underneath Agro and Wander begins to collapse. Knowing both himself and Wander could not make it, Agro kicks Wander off of him and onto the ledge in front of them, and then plummets into a river below. Agro holds the theme of the movie perfectly. His form of self-sacrifice for the greater good mimics Wanders desperate reckless self-sacrifice to revive Mono.
Another element that should be copied over from the game is the people’s language. In the game, everyone who spoke spoke in an ancient language that was supplemented by the use of subtitles. To better capture the tone of the ancient world, the film should keep this language in the movie and use subtitles to translate. This will keep the movie scenes sounding as ancient as the world around them.
Each of the separate elements from the game together form an enthralling film. If this game becomes developed into a movie, it will have to keep the same ancient, overshadowing tone of the creatures and the environment, and the same theme of self-sacrifice for the ones you love. After watching this film, you should ask yourself, just what would you do for the ones you loved?
- Edited by Rusty
#1 – Scott Lee on March 2nd, 2009 3:00 pm
Best idea ever!
#2 – under on March 17th, 2009 9:47 pm
Shadow of the colossus 2 is comming out for PS3, shits going to be epic!
Imagine how big the mosnters will be on the PS3 LOL! On the ps2 they were huge but on the ps3 they are going to make us all shit our pants
#3 – CrimsonFox13 on March 17th, 2009 10:54 pm
While I’m interested, I’m not sure how this would work out…
There’s not enough dialogue in the game. I know, you said have flashbacks, or even change the view to where Lord Emon was, but would that be enough? And if you add a language no one could understand to that, then it would turn a lot of people off.
I think the music, although good, wouldn’t fit too well in a movie. It has more of a “video game” feel to it and I think it would not work well. The camera angle I agree on, though!
Definitely keep the, “Aaahh….”s by the chorus when he slays a colossus, though!
#4 – Bigid on March 17th, 2009 11:00 pm
*Eyes exploaded from reading this*
#5 – aquaman on March 18th, 2009 7:03 am
Good Article, Better game. I was in full agreance with you until you said Elijah Wood. You don’t want that guy, having him would make it too close to Lord of the Rings. Same with Liv Taylor. Personally I hate subtitles. They could make one hell of a movie out of it, it is a great game but one that few have played. I would not have the movie feature all 16 because it would become redundant, and each boss would loose its meaning in a movie. But three or four the Giant one with the club, the one you have to pop to bring it down, there are so many. I think im gonna go play that game again right now. Good article.
#6 – foxe on April 12th, 2009 10:03 pm
I too was in agreement until you mentioned Elijah Wood, and then Liv Tyler. Can’t stand either one. I hope they find some good actors who are total unknowns, so that the focus is on the movie and not on the celebrity.