Turok: Son Of Stone

[Tony Bedard]

Hey, folks, as was recently announced on Lying In The Gutters, I have an animated feature being released in February of 2008. It's TUROK: SON OF STONE, based on the classic comic that was actually the first comic I ever read!

Check out the trailer on YouTube if you haven't already seen it:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwgP2KffT44


This was done on a very tight schedule and not the world's biggest budget, so the animation looks rather old-school, but I've seen the finished film, and I have to say it really works! At first, the level of violence seems at odds with the animation style, but that dissonance actually works in the story's favor and it just seems to build momentum and get better the further the movie goes along.

Anyhow, check out the trailer and tell me your honest reaction -- I'd love to know.

It ain't Shakespeare, but it is Shake Spear! Ha!

Tony B

[werehawk]

It actually looks really cool. If it was an animated series, I would maybe be worried that it might not live up to its potential, but as a movie, it looks like a complete, emphatic tale.

I preferred Dinosaur Hunter because the whole idea of a dinosaur refuge in Virginia (where I now live - weird) and escapes that needed to be hunted down was pretty interesting. However, Son of Stone is the original real deal.

[DavidAllred]

Haven't been by in a couple of weeks, but that looks like a lot of fun. I have a few of those comics in my boxes as well. I remember when they were .35 cents and you could buy them in a Whitman three pack for $1. Then I scurried around my local flee market to pick up back issues.

Great memories!

[Hulkamaniac]

looks sweet. I like the retro animation, it does work well with all the violence. I also like how it represents the original Turok work from Whitman/Gold Key rather than the Valiant version (not that I dislike that work, just nice to see the former rather than the latter).

[DonC]

Harry Knowles over at Ain't It Cool News reviewed this today. About the only way he could have liked it more is if it was covered in gravy and served to him by naked lady.

[Tony Bedard]

Also, a new review up on blogcritic.com that's very favorable. Check it out!

[MichikoS]

Tony,

Enjoyed TUROK: SON OF STONE. I'm wondering about a couple of things:

1. Are you related to the talented IRENE BEDARD? You share a relatively uncommon last name, which is why I'm asking.

2. Were you expecting/fearing/anticipating some blowback from the Native American community? I listened to Valerie Redhorse, who was a consultant on your film, and her comments seemed a little preemptive. Did someone think that the characters or plot of TUROK might seem demeaning?

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Michi

[Tony Bedard]

1-I'm not related to Irene Bedard, but if I was, I'd be MUCH better looking! She's a beautiful and talented woman. Love to meet her someday.

2-I don't think we expected any blowback, but we wanted to proceed respectfully. Even though we weren't trying to represent any particular tribe or historical event, we wanted to take a general approach that was respectful of Native American culture.

Oddly, though I've seen the finished film, I haven't seen the extra features, so I haven't heard Valerie's comments for myself.

[ElvisGuy]

1-I'm not related to Irene Bedard, but if I was, I'd be MUCH better looking! She's a beautiful and talented woman. Love to meet her someday.

Uh... Tony I can arrange that... Irene has been one of my best friends for the last 10 years !

[MichikoS]

1-I'm not related to Irene Bedard, but if I was, I'd be MUCH better looking! She's a beautiful and talented woman. Love to meet her someday.

2-I don't think we expected any blowback, but we wanted to proceed respectfully. Even though we weren't trying to represent any particular tribe or historical event, we wanted to take a general approach that was respectful of Native American culture.

Oddly, though I've seen the finished film, I haven't seen the extra features, so I haven't heard Valerie's comments for myself.

Tony, thanks for the reply. I hope the Turok DVD is successful, and that we can see movie work more from you in the near future.

Michi

[werehawk]

I finally (!) saw the movie and have to say I really enjoyed it. Nicely done, Tony!
The young Turok fight scene in the beginning and when they rode on the log in the Lost Land with the "What the?!" looks were my favorite parts (and the end of that scene with dinosaurs and no sound while underwater).