Defeating Defeat
Sumkid101:
FACEBOOK : http://on.fb.me/fCTGbE
2ND CHANNEL: http://bit.ly/lH48mz
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/sumkid101
WEBSITE: http://www.wix.com/sumkid101website/sumkid101
Good lord I have been swamped with stuff the last couple weeks; graduation, finals, and a bunch of other crap. Finally I can sit down and write something about something 
I’m sure most of you are familiar with sumkid101′s films, and if you’re not, you should be. I actually featured one of his films a couple weeks ago, so normally I would have tried to avoid using the same director, but this film is so different in so many ways that I don’t find it to be an issue.
Unlike most of sumkid’s films, “Defeating Defeat” isn’t a comedy. In fact, it’s totally serious, like crazy real serious. Don’t laugh or you’re a horrible person. Overall, I would say he pulls it off quite well. He pretty much pulls out all the stops in this one; kid with family issues, thoughts of suicide, girl who believes in him, everything. It’s cliche drama, but he does pretty good with it. For my personal tastes, it tries a bit too hard for a LEGO animation. Not that I don’t like a good drama brickfilm, but it seems just a little bit overkill. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, but something a bit more original could have done wonders for the plot.
Overall it’s a great film. The use of the new boxing figures was really great and the set for the boxing ring was really cool. Simple, but it added a great atmosphere to the film by not showing the crowd and using a black expanse instead. The camera quality was top notch as well (i’m assuming a t2i or t3i?) and the lighting created and set a nice mood for the whole piece. In my opinion, some of the live action shots were unnecessary. Some were fine, others seemed like they would have blended better, even if the animation was sub-par. I just feel like live action sticks out in an animated film, usually in a bad way. The animation that was present in the film was definitely strong. Nothing stuck out in that aspect, just as the rest of the tech. aspects were quite impressive.
To repeat myself, “Defeating Defeat” isn’t anything groundbreaking as far as originality goes, but it is a very strong and entertaining film. As much as it tries hard to be emotional and serious, overall I would say that sumkid succeeds. Just reading the Youtube comments will prove that. I would highly recommend this film to others, as it strays away from the overdone simple comedies that so many brickfilmers are stuck on. It was a breath of fresh air to see someone as talented as sumkid take a swing at something more powerful. Good flick. Watch it. Share. ????. Profit.
I’m sorry, but this post really made me aggravated. I feel like OlsonStudios is far too over-critical in this review. (I have seen hints of it in previous reviews, but this one really stands out).
First off with him saying, “even if the animation was sub-par” ….sub-par?! REALLY?! You do know that sub-par means slighty less than average…. right? In my opinion the animation was absolutely brilliant. Some of the best animation on youtube. I would say it’s equally as good, if not slightly better than OlsonStudios… (I do not mean to attack anyone, or get in a serious argument, I’m just stating my opinion).
I feel like OlsonStudios was really negative on Sumkid101. Yes, the story was a bit un-original… but so is just about EVERY Star Wars video on youtube. His is the most original brickfilm I’ve seen in a long time. I know how hard it is to add emotions to lego minifigures, and Sumkid did an exquisite job. There were far more good things in this film than bad…
I may be overreacting, but I feel like OlsonStudios was overly-negative.
Sorry to just blow up here in the comments…. I just got frustrated with the review…
Hey man, I see your point, however you are missing something as well. I think you’re missing that fact that several times I mention that I personally really enjoyed the film and overall “… it is a very strong and entertaining film”. Also, I never meant that sumkid’s animation was “sub-par”, the way I meant it, was, I felt that even an average animated clip would have BEEN BETTER than a live action shot. If you look again, I actually write that the animation “…in the film was definitely strong” and I feel that the animation that sumkid does produce in this film is very well done and I never meant to say otherwise. Don’t forget that this is the second film that I’ve featured from the same director. There’s a certain amount of respect that I’m showing to his film right there.
I feel that I made it clear that I do think there are more positives than negatives in this review, I really did enjoy the film and I didn’t mean for it to seem the other way. And also, I don’t see why you are comparing this film to my work. I’m reviewing the film and comparing to other brickfilms, not my own. His animation probably is better than mine, but that’s not the point of this review. I appreciate your concern over sumkid receiving praise, and what he deserves, so thank you for your comment. Just look at the few points I made, because I don’t really feel like I was out of line in saying what I did.
Also, shout out to sumkid for his open mindedness! It’s a great film and I look forward to seeing more work from you.
thanks for the support!!!
to @aag@2gvideo comment;
thanks for backing me up, but Olsen is just writing an opinion and a generally positive one at that. as far as some of the film shots being over used and could have been animation, i agree; but I went with certain film shots to achieve a certain effect. everyone’s opinions and constructive criticism is appreciated; Olsen isn’t hating or anything, just giving an honest opinion.
Also, this film was a great learning experience; I realized that the Lego/YouTube community can and has appreciated some emotion in a Brickfilm, which opens up tons of more opportunities. I’ve gotten soooo many messages about how I inspired people go out and work on a brickfilm that has meaning; not the usual poop-jokes & parody-styled videos. It feels good to think that I’ve brought something new to the brickfilm community, and I plan to continue making similar styled films along with the usual “Lego Star Wars Special” stuff. (stay tuned for my next vid, an Avengers parody!!)
so fear not, more films like “Defeating Defeat” and “Lego Star Wars Special” to come!
*ps some people have been asking me if I was inspired by “Rocky”, but to be honest, the idea just came to me as far as the story goes. But three of the biggest inspirations for my film were “The Fighter”, “The Dark Knight”, and ZachMG’s “The Profession”