Reviewed by Jon Barton

Vlarion 4 represents the pivotal moment in the entire saga, not only because it is the most emotive of the four but also because Aaron at times manages to throw off the FF style fights for some actual full on ruckus, making the FF battles only more interesting when they come around. Also, much like the sewer panning sequence in the third's climax Aaron makes full use of an evident range of new understanding of 3dmm, using it to his full potential when directing the penultimate scenes and of course the final battle itself. As a result the saga's last stages are played out with some genuinely powerful moments and panache and by now the audience are drawn to the story in such a way that these characters remain vastly important to what we care about.

The climax is entirely fitting for the movie. I watched it and it didn't feel at all like the end of a film but the end of the films, and there is a real sense not only of the uplifting nature of the ending after such a devastating battle but also a real sense of achievement and triumph in the audience's mind, if you were like me you committed to the story and the values it addresses. Vlarion 4 in the best sense of the word makes the audience feel a very genuine sense of gratification, and that is something rarely achieved, even in films made presently. A rare thing too that such power can be held in films so seemingly complex. While the plot makes up a labyrinthine structure of good and evil the basic concepts remain. Throughout the movie the heroes have remained close, and we are reminded that despite their magical roots they are indeed still human. The plotline surrounding the character of Brian for example is essential to the story because it serves to remind the audience of what it is that is keeping the good together, a force constantly fighting against the dominion of evil, which by now is reaching an ultimate high.

Ultimately the Vlarion saga may have limited appeal. The RPG nature will not appeal to all, and indeed such a complex approach to fantasy and indeed genre as an institution may also confuse its audience. Despite this, Vlarion comes with many contradictions, in order to truly appreciate Aaron's success looking beyond these contradictions is very important. And indeed, not only do these movies represent iconography so often presented (Hirolix is now an archetype of HMC's) but they also lead directly into the events of the Alternate series which will undoubtedly reach a groundbreaking climax with the Alternate version of this movie. I was deeply overwhelmed and moved by the Vlarion movies, and no doubt an audience willing to commit and look past the old-school nature and sometimes poor direction will enjoy them just as much as I have. I heartily recommend them. For all their flaws they remain key to the reasons why 3dmm is so widely used by this community, and with that in mind the Vlarion movies will last as long as the community will.

9/10