The Movies: Stunts & Effects

The camera does a “fly-over” of the city landscape, capturing each glorious explosion, providing a perfect ending to the movie you just created. 

The Movies Stunts & Effects is the first expansion to the 2005 hit title from Activision and Lionhead Studios. This is a title that integrates flawlessly with base game – and after installation, all players need to do is launch the title to enjoy the benefits of what this expansion has to offer.

For those who have yet to play The Movies, the title is akin to simulation-style tycoon games, but only as far as building and maintaining a motion picture studio dynasty is concerned. There is much more to the game than merely building a studio, micromanaging sets and stars and trying to turn a tidy profit. Players can actually affect the way a star looks, the interpersonal relations, yes, but the real kicker of the game comes with the finite control players can have over the making of a movie. Customized scripts allow players to select scenes, insert their own music or dialogue and create shorts or longer movies that are detailed and show off a fair amount of creative talent.

The game even has Internet support, where players can show off their works to others.

But that is the base game, and while it all moves forward with this expansion, Stunts & Effects creates a more robust experience. First of all, from the moment you launch the game (Ok, maybe not THE moment; if you start in a sandbox mode, back in 1930, it may be a while before you can realize all of the accoutrements this game offers up, but if you quick launch in 1960, you will begin with many of the elements already factored in) you will begin to see what this expansion brings to the forefront.

There are three buildings you can build, and all have to do with stuntmen. There is the Stunt School, which will allow you to train stunt men and women, a Training: Spartan Torture facility and a hospital to keep them fit enough to continue to pull off the required skills. Of course, with stunt people come new scenes in which you show off the amazing talents of your stunt actors. There are also new sets, a blue screen and green screen for those special effects, new makeup and costumes, weather effects and camera overlays as well as a free camera mode that will allow players to position the camera where they want it for that perfect scene.  

The UI has also received a tiny makeover, creating easier access to the production and makeover possibilities.  

Enabling stunts within a movie is simple. The scripts written by your writing crew may contain them, but if you enter the customized scriptwriting building, you merely drag stunt doubles onto your principle actors to enable stunt scenes. It is also in this area that you can manipulate the weather, or add other effects to a scene.

The green screen comes with a curled backdrop, which allows players to put whatever static design they wish behind the ‘aerial’ scene being shot.

As it was before, the interface for all of this is rather easy to use. There is even a new awards category to reflect stunts.

While the expansion does add some graphical effects, the overall look of the game remains the same. The audio has minor improvements as well, mostly in the musical category.

Stunts & Effects is not a standalone product. Players will need the original game to play this. And for those who do have the original game and who are fans, this is a must-own expansion. Stunts & Effects gives customized movies a more visceral element, but also expands on the creative nature of the player, giving more options than before.

Gameplay: 8.8
This expansion really adds onto the initial experience. Yes, there is more to micromanage, but the overall quality of the experience improves.

Graphics: 8.8
It’s fun to blow up things. The new camera controls are also rather nice, and the new sets add to the experience.

Sound: 8.4
Subtle tweaks – still good, but nothing that departs dramatically from the original game.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Some nice tweaks to the interface make this title more player-friendly.

Concept: 8.7
This is a nice expansion with solid elements. When compared to the impact of the original, it is not on the same level, but still has some nice changes and welcomed content.

Overall: 8.7
A truly solid expansion that adds to the overall experience of the game, whether playing out in the game’s goal-driven ‘campaign’ or in the sandbox mode. The ability to really customize your own movie becomes a deeper experience with Stunts & Effects. The words used to describe the original title – addictive, and just plain fun – still apply. Owners of The Movies will want to add this expansion.