Phoenix Rising is dedicated to all things sci-fi and fantasy.
We feature props, costumes, collectables, guides, information, downloads and screencaps, our discussion forums include arcades (over 1800 games), casino and battle system!
We also have a small airsoft team and part of the site and forums are dedicated to airsoft activities.
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder
Written by the DustRoom
Friday, 15 August 2008 10:21
Release Date: 29 September 2008 (UK)
Synopsis: "The war against the Bugs continues! A Federation starship crash-lands on the distant alien planet OM-1, stranding beloved leader Sky Marshal Anoke and several others, including comely but tough pilot Lola Beck. It's up to Colonel Johnny Rico, reluctant hero of the original Bug Invasion on Planet P, to lead a team of Troopers on a daring rescue mission."
I am a huge fan of the first Starship Troopers movie; it's an excellent film with good story, great characters and impressive special effects, the second movie; Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation was a very low budget production and was a huge let down for all Starship Troopers fans.
I've been looking forward to Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (even though it's a low budget, straight to DVD release) as it sees the return of Casper Van Dien as Colonel Johnny Rico and also stars the beautiful Jolene Blalock as Captain Lola Beck.
I really had my hopes up for this movie; I knew that it wouldn't, nor couldn't be as good as Starship Troopers but it stood a good chance of restoring its name and making up for the second film.
After watching the film I'm dissapointed that it was a low budget movie and the effects have suffered because of this, in some parts they look pretty good and in others they're pretty awful but you can easily put up with them; the acting however is quite bad throughout the film and gets annoying at times.
I'm not a big fan of the new costumes as they look cheaper and a little rushed compared to the originals and the new weapons are too big and look a little silly compared to the original and excellent looking Morita.
The direction is pretty good and follows the first movie quite well with the Federal Network advertisements and news stories scattered throughout the movie but in places, again due to the low budget and short number of actors and extras; the scenes are too small and don't give the feel of the epic battle that is supposed to be happening around you.
The story isn't exactly a bad one overall but it's no masterpiece either, parts of the story are a bit cheesy and some I'd say are down right stupid, I'm not going to get into it or include any spoilers here but I do feel that it could have been a lot better.
This may read as though I'm really slating this film when I'm not; I'm comparing it to the original which this could never live up to I suppose and I'm dissapointed that it's not quite as good as it could or should have been but overall it's not a terrible film and in some way does make up for the downright awful SST2 film.
Overall, though stunted in places and with a little wooden acting here and there it's quite an enjoyable film and is worth checking out!
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 06 August 2008 21:42 )
Happy Birthday Phoenix Rising
Written by Administrator
Sunday, 03 August 2008 14:14
Phoenix Rising is one year old this month!
Phoenix Rising was started on the 19th August 2007 by a small group of Sci-Fi enthusiasts, costumers and airsoft skirmishers; since then the site has grown to include many new features including the arcades, casino, battle system (which are all highly addictive) and the recent launch of the Phoenix Rising website can only improve the experience for our existing and future members.
We're still working on many new features for the website and forums so there's plenty to follow in the next year so for our second birthday we hope to have many more members, bigger and better activities and much more discussion!
I would like to thank all of our members for their input and support of our forums and new website and hope that we will see many more Phoenix Rising birthdays together!
Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 August 2008 14:28 )
George Lucas reaches stalemate in legal battle with Shepperton Design Studios
Written by the DustRoom
Thursday, 31 July 2008 20:00
The epic legal struggle between film-maker George Lucas and a props designer over the ownership of the iconic Star Wars stormtrooper is to have a sequel.
Mr Justice Mann was expected to bring an end to the battle over who owns the copyright to the terrifying figures from the hit sci-fi films.
Instead, he made two rulings at the high court today, one in favour of each side and agreed to allow a further hearing for both parties to apply for permission to challenge his findings.
A selection of stormtrooper helmets were lined up on the front benches of the court as Mann read out his rulings.
He found the film-maker was right in his claim that Ainsworth had infringed the US copyright.
But other claims aimed at stopping replicas being sold from the prop designer's shop in Twickenham, south west London, failed.
Ainsworth's claim to the copyright also failed.
The hearing, which began in April with a row of life-size stormtrooper models in attendance, was told Ainsworth had cast more than 50 of the helmets and suits for the Lucas film in 1976.
In 2004, he discovered one of the originals in a cupboard and went into business manufacturing them for dedicated Star Wars fans.
Some of the films' enthusiasts had paid up to £1,800 for a suit and helmet, the court was told.
Lucasfilm's legal team took on Ainsworth and, in 2006, a California court awarded the company £10m in damages for copyright infringement against his firm, Shepperton Design Studios.
The props man was unable to contest that case because of a lack of funds and Lucasfilm brought the feud to British courts in order to enforce the decision.
Representing Lucasfilm, Michael Bloch QC previously told the court the stormtrooper design was created by various people and had become "one of the most iconic images in modern artistry".
He said the stormtrooper evolved from an original idea by Lucas, which was developed within the studio.
Ainsworth's legal team had argued that copyright on the Stormtrooper's form had expired because it was a piece of industrial design, rather than a work of art.
