Reviewed by Jon Barton

At last and unexpectedly, the Vlarion sagas are blessed with the justice they deserve, and clears the path for the 4th movie. This also marks the first time that Aaron is given the creative freedom to really show off his talents with the program, consequently AV3 is full of key 'wow' moments and for the first time the Vlarion movies are partly given the justice they deserve. Ultimately and in places lessons are still to be learned but not only does AV3 visually improve on every one of its counterparts but serves also as a remarkable reminder of the process of movie-making. How not only Haynes but all of us sooner or later would have really started to take risks and begin making innovative and distinctive camera movement, atmospheric feels and some fantastic visual flair (Hirolix's appearance however brief serves as some of the best HMC animation not only for its time but in my mind some of the best I've seen).

However, for all its power withheld in its new approach to filmmaking, AV3's strength does not, however reliant it may be, focus on visuals. The narrative and the story leads to a groundbreaking twist, and never before have I been so profoundly effected by the events of a movie. Ultimately I cant say anything without spoiling it so I'll leave it at that. It happens slowly and remains a slow process, but when it hits you, it really hits you, changing your whole perspective on the entirety of the story and indeed your views of the characters both good and bad. Thus and fantastically Aaron clears the way for a whole new sequence of events charting from an entirely different story and as a result, you have not only a new climax to the war but a new story entirely. Thus AV3 ends on a tantalising note. For me the greatest single thing about AV3 is the concept itself. Rather than simply being categorised as a revisit which in Hollywood would have been classified as either an unnecessary sequel or a mindless cash-in, the Alternate saga serves a very distinct purpose. There are two ways to tell this story, and hence two ways the war will end. Aaron is addressing a huge diversity of issues in the story, which makes for some very emotional and moving moments. In the best sense of the word AV3 is almost entirely justified.

Nothing is wasted in this fantasy mindtrip, in which I take my hat off to Aaron who has succeeded in creating an enormous world of magic, space and time. AV3 is on a grand scale, and its epicness stands out for once because it was made before its time. Unlike the other Vlarions, its age can pass unnoticed, and with that in mind it'll be absolutely brilliant to see Alternate Vlarion 4, made here and now in 2004 as opposed to the limits the time gap between has posed. Bearing in mind some may be aware of AV3 for the wrong reasons. Cruelly and viciously in my opinion it was brutally beaten up by Andres manifesto, the critic lashed out at AV3 for its lack in directorial methods to achieve something the Vlarion movies have never aimed nor needed to do. But in my view, if the Vlarions have been part of your 3dmm viewing experience up to this point, then AV3 will not only present a refreshing stylistic change but it will you'll have surely bypassed the notions of its nature by now anyhow. And so To conclude, I don't give AV3 my full attention and acclaim for its direction. No, to some extent Andres may have a point. But to a far greater extent Aaron has achieved something rarely done or indeed, as far as I'm aware something that's never been done in narrative terms: the power of a good story in the greatest sense of the word. I've noticed a pattern here that Aaron saves the best chapters for later, and with that in mind AV4, along with its 2004 mode of film-making is going to blow us all out of the water. AV3 demands an audience. It's that good. Those of you who invest in the Vlarion movies will not be let down. And those of you who haven't I'll say now that even considering going near AV3 will be as effective as a cat-flap in an elephant house. Aaron, I whole-heartedly salute you.

10/10