New video game commercial may the closest we'll get to 'Halo' movie

Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 3:13 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

The much-ballyhooed Halo movie is in limbo. The Peter Jackson-produced film based on the hugely popular Xbox game isn't really going anywhere because its supposed high price tag.

Microsoft recently revealed a live-action commercial to promote the Sept. 25 release of the game's third installment. Titled "Halo: Arms Race," the short film was directed by Neill Blomkamp, the man pegged by Jackson to helm the failed movie. Its special effects were produced by Jackson's WETA Digital FX shop.

While the commercial didn't make me salivate for the upcoming Xbox 360 game (I am a recovering Halo fanboy), it did have me longing for a film version. I do like Blomkamp's gritty visual style. (I'll admit, the computer text intro is a little slow and a clichéd concept.) A Halo movie could be more than a simple Starship Troopers retread.

Could this piece double as an enticement for prospective studios to finance the big screen movie? I'll bet you an Xbox 360 it is.

Watch the Halo 3 video on Bungie.net (HD/Quicktime)

It's also available on Slash Film (Flash)