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Pretty good! Although it may not be what you expect.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 46 / 51
Date: November 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is actually pretty good. A lot of people seem to have been let down by Black and White 2, which I can understand. Black and White 2 becomes tedious.

The Movies is more about producing movies and making money. You can make movies, but you do not have complete freedom. Instead, you have a ton of sets, and like 100 different scenes for every set that you can put actors into. This actually works out pretty well as you can create a ton of different interesting scenes in interesting ways by using tiny pre-built scenes. If you don't want to create movies, you can have script writers do it. There are seemingly billions of movies they can write. I get eager to see what kind of movie they are making when I see interesting titles and such.

You create stars, cast the movie, then shoot it. During the shoot you can alter the screenwriter's movies slightly. Or, you can let the director shoot it himself and manage your huge studio lot. You unlock more stuff as you progress, and every 5 years there are awards. The awards are hard to get, and I get excited whenever I see my name nominated.

As you progress, your stars start to want things, and eventually they become big. It's really awesome to see one of my stars become such a huge success after doing so many crappy movies. You can give your star plastic surgery and treat him like royalty by giving him an entourage. It works out pretty well, but the only downside to this is that sometimes other stars might get jealous.

There is even an online feature where you can post movies and earn more game stuff.

I would reccomend this movie to anyone who likes The Sims.

Completly Additctive!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 16
Date: November 28, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I am a big Sims 2 fan and fan of simulation games in general (I hate to destroy anything). I had been waiting a while for this game and was a bit dissapointed when I read the reviews. Playing the first 30 min, I am inclined to agree with a lot of what is said here.
The animation is pretty bad. All the characters are hideously ugly unlike those adotrable Sims and even when you dress them up, it's kinda like putting lipstick on a gorilla.
But then, watch out.
Like a junkie you will be glued to your computer screen.
It slowly and insidiously takes you over.
You begin to build sets only to get new sets. You make movies that after a while, you don't even watch because you are too busy trying to please all your actors as much as you can to reap the rewards you will get at the "award ceremony" every five year mark. I actually cheered when my studio was nominated. I was alone. In front of my laptop. Unshaven in sweats with a sink full of unwashed dishes. Yes, "The Movies" has turned me into a junkie loser.
Even though the graphics are terrible, the 3-D effects are top notch. You can actually go deep inside any sound stage or studio to watch your movie being filmed first hand. Amazing.
I got this version not knowing there was a "deluxe" version available. Damn.
There are still a few kinks, like basic studio dressing like trees, chairs and garbage cans not being redily available and not findind a quick stress-relever for your overworked stars (dropping them into rehab is just a waste of time) other than that and the hideous looks of your actors, this is an amazing game.

Much Better Than I Hoped

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I'm suprised to see some of the reviews that say this game is really hard. It's a little more difficult than your average game but not irritatingly so. And this is me, a pretty average gamer, saying this.

The game's point is to create movies and stars and create a very successful company. It's a slash between Roller Coaster Tycoon/The Sims. If you like either of those games, then you will like this. The game starts 1920s which I thought would suck but it turns out actually enjoyable. Slowly as you go, your movies get better and better, moving from 1 star to 5. Your stars get better with rehearsal and experience.

Pros:
The overall concept is pretty cool just thinking about it
Graphics are very fresh
Plenty of movies to create and keep yourself busy
Contrary to some reviews there is a pretty good variety of sets
Lots of clothes and customization of characters
Fun side things like rehab and boob emplants

Cons:
Can't hire a decent amount of builders and workers sometimes
Relationships take forever to build
Needs to focus less on actor's bitchy needs

Graphics: 5/5
Sounds: 3/5
Durability: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

So I would suggest you buy this game. If you aren't sure about it, get someone else to buy it FOR you or just wait until the price lets down a little bit. But it is worth the 50 bucks I spent on it.

Highly Entertaining - Play it your way!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: January 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I received this game for Christmas and haven't stopped playing or thinking about it since. While it at first seems like a tycoon game, with a strong AI, you quickly come to realize the real power and attraction of the game: the custom script building portion where you can create your own movies.

This mode of play is for the right-brained folks among us. If you're a creative person, then you'll be in heaven at the possibilities. If you're the more analytical sort, this game will not make you into a movie mastermind - You're got to do the work!

Choose your actors, costumes, sets and scenes, then take the full reel of footage into post-production where you'll spend the most amount of time. From here, you can edit and cut up the scenes, move the pieces around and add a soundtrack, including music and effects. You can choose to add subtitles, or even full voiceovers where the actors' actually lip synch to the words.

While my "creative side" is loving this, I'll admit that more precise controls in post-production could have been implemented. That said, I've yet to come across something I couldn't accomplish with the toolset provided. The several small movies I've made are just as I intended.

As of this writing, I'm in the process of editing together the first installment of a serial that I'll be sharing with the Movies community site - something that you're able to do from within the game. With a goal in mind, it challenges both you and the game to meet the requirements.

Back on the "tycoon" side of the game, the feature that engaged me most is the passage of time from the 1920's to modern day. From the radio broadcast voiceovers, the content of the news, clothing style and star demands, it really feels like you are growing along with the movie industry.

I have several customer reviews of the game, and tend to disagree with some of the negative remarks. Within an hour of play, I had all of the basics figured out - such as placing objects, rotating them, building a staff and catering to the stars.

The tutorial may not go deep into each and every topic, but the interface is rather simple. If you've never played a tycoon game before, you may be a little overwhelmed. In game popups offer suggestions, and when you pick up a script or star there is always a small trail of glitter that points to the most appropriate place to take them. (A star may want to go get a snack, or a script should go to release, etc.)

If you are still skeptical, go to the official site and view a few of the top ranked user movies. If you're like me, you won't believe they were all made with just the game - that is until you get in there and see what's possible!

While not as involved as The Sims, or as complex as other tycoon and Sim, the game appeals to fans of both genres and opens up to a new demographic in the custom movie mode. Play the game as you choose!

What a Phenom!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: July 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The Movies - for better or worse - is a marvel of a game. The reviews here on Amazon run the gamut of all the game's pros and cons very well. I'll try to summarize my experience and opinion without getting into all the details already covered.

Game Summary: The Movies sees you in charge of a studio starting at 1920 and going to the present day - with all the changes in technology and world events to go with it. All the changes affect everything in the game: the game-world is very interactive as far as what sells and what's happening.

The game has two major components (with so many sub-parts I couldn't even begin to write about): building and managing your movie studio - all the buildings, staff, and finances that you can imagine going into it; and making movies - replete with script-writing, stage sets, and marketing. The experience of running your own movie studio is very compelling.

As an added bonus you can create your own movie stars - everything from head shape to eye color to personal hygene. And you can throw movies into post-production and edit every single detail of every single scene if you so desire. Movies can be saved in files or CDs to play in the standard Windows Media Player (make some "interesting" family movies). If that doesn't strike you as astounding for a simulation game then don't waste the money on this one.

Quick list of pros (+) and cons (-):
+ Graphics: excellent, believable, and engrossing
+ Sound: fitting, clear, and engrossing
+ Gameplay: intuitive, easy-to-learn, and addictive
+ Performance: solid, smooth, doesn't distract
- Learning Curve: there's a LOT to do here
- Expansions: expansion pack "STUNTS" over-priced under-packed

Make sure your system meets all the requirements on the box: you'll need directx 9.0c compatible hardware to run the game. Updating your graphics and sound drivers may also be needed. The game comes with the STARMAKER program to make your own movie stars; but check the company's website for the current update patch.

Also I had an installation issue where the autoplay menu wouldn't install after clicking the 'install' button. If this happens to you you'll have to go the CD drive the game is in and double-click the "Setup.exe" file to get it going.

Enjoy and make some movies

HEllO

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: February 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I love this game so much. i've been creating sci fi films all week. like all games it has a bad side. It has sexual cntent and even swearing. that is why i only do sandbox mode.

ONE OF THE BEST GAMES!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES!! iT IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES!
THOUGH, THE SIMS STILL HIGHLY BEATS THE GAME!! I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS GAME TO EVERYONE!! THANKZ

This game is utterly amazing...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: May 28, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I am a savvy and snobby pc game connoisseur and I received this game as an X-mess present in 2005. It is almost 6 months later and it is still playable and enjoyable, which if you know anything about my personality is an excellent indication of how good and FUN this game actually is. As you may know, this game is played under the premise of being a studio exec. You actually get to build your studio lot and have every hand in producing, hiring actors, movie content, publicity of a movie. An expansion pack is going to be released soon. Not soon enough.

The Actors Aren't Ugly!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: October 17, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've been playing this game for a few weeks now. I was lucky enough to order a used copy off of Ebay for only $7.00. I didn't know what to expect but the overall outcome is that I think it's great!! I dont get too much into the micro-management of the movie making business because I think that's tedious and time consuming - but I LOVE MAKING MOVIES!! This was the best idea to come along in a long long time. I've just really gotten the knack of it and it's super to spend hours putting together a movie and then polishing it up. VERY creative and you actually end up realizing what it must be like to make a real movie in real life. Not only that but you can record your own dialogue and the actors will say what you want them too. Ingenious! I just wish there was more blood and nudity - lol. Some exploding heads would be nice too. Oh, and btw, I dont think the actors are ugly at all when you can use the StarMaker and make them look any way you want. I would also recommend getting the Stunts and Effects pack as this adds a great deal more. I would also like the option to BUILD MY OWN SETS!!!! But other than that, this game is Awesome!!!

This game comes totally under the radar!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: April 24, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Do you like movies? Have you ever wanted to create your own movie but realize how expensive it is? Then, this is totally the game for you and worth every dime. Not only is it a movie studio simulation game, you can actually make your own flicks and upload them to the net, or show your friends. I don't often buy new games at full retail, but this game was totally worth it. The only problem, the expansion "Stunts and Effects" won't be out till June! I can't believe every budding movie maker isn't beating down lionhead studios door! Brilliant!

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