WoW Moviewatch: Cloud 9
by Michael Gray 
Jan 24th 2011 at 12:00PM
I think one of the most amazing things about this video is that it still feels current. Sure, gnomes and gryphons aren't distinctive parts of Cataclysm, but I don't look at Zimtower's graphics and think "old." I think the same things I always have: This video is beautiful and oddly inspiring.
Editor's note: This might be one of Gray's favorites, but in reality, this is the best WoW video of all time. It has raptor claw-like dancing.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.Filed under: WoW Moviewatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jimbob Jan 24th 2011 12:05PM
Curse you, Editor!!!!
Ronin Jan 24th 2011 8:40PM
Yeah, what the-- That's vandalism, IMO. Gah, I can't wait for everyone to relegate her to "has-been" status already.
Feldring Jan 24th 2011 12:19PM
This video contains 120% of the FDA recommended daily allowance of Whimsy (125% if accompanied by a cup of whole milk in a Carebears™ mug). This product is not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disease...
...but we think you'll agree it's absolutely delightful.
Saisen Jan 24th 2011 12:23PM
Very well done:)
Halgrimur Jan 24th 2011 12:24PM
Cloud 9 will always associate with Battlestar Galactica, sorry
Artificial Jan 24th 2011 12:53PM
Um, okay. Meanwhile, among the general population, people are far more likely to associate it with George Harrison's platinum album.
Drakkenfyre Jan 24th 2011 2:09PM
Recent TV show versus phrase predating it by 50 years or more.
See, something that is popular with YOU doesn't mean it invalidates the previous meaning.
Blazing Rain Jan 24th 2011 5:02PM
Artificial, you are on a website that tends to cater to the 'nerdier' demographic (I'm one of 'em) so a SciFi reference isn't an unknown. Beatles were big. 50 years ago. People are about equally likely to understand one reference as another. (Personally I like the BSG one more, Beatles are too pop for my taste)
All said, I enjoyed the animation, though the song didn't really do it for me. I could see where somebody would really like it though.
Ronin Jan 24th 2011 8:43PM
Well, Halgrimur said it would "always associate with Battlestar Galactica", not that it was one of multiple, equally valid references.
Pretty silly statement IMO. Besides, "Cloud 9" predates any pop culture reference-- "I'm on cloud 9" has been an idiom for many a decade.
Artificial Jan 24th 2011 9:27PM
@Blazing Rain: Indeed. I prefaced my remark with "among the general population" specifically because I'm aware this place will have a nerdier demographic than that.
That said, the show's been off the air for how long now? If you can name any ships of the fleet beyond Galactica, Pegasus, and Colonial One, you're entering into ubergeek territory. I doubt BSG would be the first thing to come to mind upon hearing the decades older common phrase "cloud nine" even for most geeks.
Fragments Jan 24th 2011 12:28PM
It was well-animated, sure, but I suppose I just don't really enjoy the song that much. I can understand why someone would like it, though.
Bvannas Jan 24th 2011 5:45PM
I kind of agree, I don't like the song, but that is some impressive editing. Its amazing its 2 years old.
nonentity Jan 24th 2011 12:38PM
I don't like music machinimas in general.
I'm a sucker for high-quality machinima, ideally with a lore focus.
I hate gnomes.
I loved this.
Wow, just wow.
Great machinima, easily one of the best I've ever seen, very well made and I couldn't turn off even though it showed us a damn gnome for 5 minutes ;) and this type of song usually isn't my thing. That it's two years old makes it even more impressing.
Big thumbs up.
brian Jan 24th 2011 12:48PM
The synching to the music is absolutely the best part, even though in general it's amazing.
Synching to music or even speech is something that seems to be very hard for a lot of machinimators to do. Sure, they /say or /yell appropriately, but moving the mouth is a lot rarer, especially when done well.
Eros Jan 24th 2011 1:19PM
I don't particularly like gnomes and gnome themed machinima (my personal tastes) but that was amazing.
MechaKingGhidra Jan 24th 2011 2:02PM
I concur. One gnome that shall escape my Cannibalize just because this was just so bleeping good!
Though I *am* curious now if there are other songs that make a perfect fit (assuming an equal machinima artist talent applied to it) for the other races.
I mean, I see a lot of videos made where the song/parody could use any of the races and it'd be just fine. But this one with a gnome I CANNOT imagine something else taking its place.
A nice dwarven song would be nice as long as it didn't centre around the generic stereotypes (ie alcohol, womanizing, etc).
Jabadabadana Jan 24th 2011 2:59PM
Go look up Mad World.
It was posted to wow insider a couple days ago, and features a female dwarf singing.
(It's a great song to boot.)
Rictus Jan 25th 2011 4:11AM
@MechaKingGhidra
I've always felt that Metallica's Of Wolf and Man is a perfect fit not only for worgen but especially worgen druids. Cat druids in particular.
Check out the lyrics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P58xWcSLt_8 Makes me wonder if any machinima artist toyed with the idea of making a clip based on this.
Tokkar Jan 24th 2011 1:37PM
Fingers animated individually for her gestures, lip-synced to the song...these were true gems. The only thing I never cared for with this video (even though I saved it to my hard drive the first time it was reviewed on this site) is that wheneve the camera panned, the head swiveled perfectly with it like it was on a string. Throw in some natural movement for her head and it would be absolutely perfect. Even with this one flaw, it's still fantastic and has aged very well.
The best part of it? LENSES IN HER GOGGLES THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THROUGH!!!
Blizzard had two years after this video was released and people commented on it before that they really needed to give us something like this. You'd think it would be simple enough - adjust the transparency of the overlay, right? So, what did they give us instead? Rhinestone bling for the goblins, but JUST during the opening quests.
Gah...
What I thought was really cool about the video is that he not only got the artist's permission to use her song, but that she watched it and really loved it! :-)
Elleyna Jan 24th 2011 2:08PM
The lip syncing was VERY well done and I wish more machinimas would do it (although I understand that it's much more difficult). The video in general didn't do much more me. The song was ok but 5 minutes of a gnome flying around on a gryphon singing didn't quite keep my interest.