Studios are really, really trying to make virtual reality (VR) a thing. Recently, we saw John Travolta starring in a truly odd VR experience/film. Now, it appears that Robert Rodriguez is taking the leap with a new project that allows the viewer to be an active participant in the film. And as you might expect from a Rodriguez project, it’s batshit crazy with over-the-top action.
In the new trailer for “The Limit,” we get a taste at what VR adds to the experience of watching Michelle Rodriguez kick all sorts of ass and Norman Reedus doing his Norman Reedus, silent but deadly thing. As far as the trailer shows you, the story revolves around Rodriguez dragging the viewer around a series of action set pieces, with bullets, fists, and bodies flying every which way. Oh, and since it’s VR, there is the unavoidable skydiving sequence.
Overall, it definitely looks like a step up from Travolta’s nonsense, but definitely doesn’t look like a full-fledged film. “The Limit” feels more like a roller coaster experience at Universal Studios than a traditional film. But maybe that’s the point. Perhaps, we’re not destined for a world where real, traditional films are told using VR tech. The future is probably going to be a series of one-off thrill rides that you can sit down (or stand) and enjoy, showing it off to your friends while you record their hilarious reactions.
If you have the equipment, some cash, and 20 minutes to spare, “The Limit” is available now for you to enjoy. There are also some special features, including a director’s commentary with Rodriguez and the co-writer, as well as two featurettes.
Let us know how it works out, if you take the leap.
Here’s the synopsis:
Enter a new world of storytelling in this blockbuster “immersive cinema” experience from visionary filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (Sin City). As a rogue agent with a mysterious past, you enlist the help of enhanced super-assassin M-13 (Michelle Rodriguez) to retrieve your identity and strike against the deadly organization that created you. Also featuring Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), THE LIMIT will put you inside a high-octane 20-minute action movie like you’ve never seen! THE LIMIT is a lean-back experience captured in a new cinematic VR format, wider than 180 degrees, that bridges the gap between large-format movies and 360-degree video. It offers ultra-high fidelity and unprecedented production value from a live-action VR film.