Watch Red Vs. Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles
- TV-MA
- 2003
- 5 Seasons
-
8.4 (9,870)
Red Vs. Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles is a comedic, sci-fi web series that first premiered in 2003 on the website of the production company, Rooster Teeth. It was later released on DVD by New Video Group. The show follows two opposing teams, the Reds and Blues, as they engage in a seemingly endless battle for control of a barren canyon outpost known as Blood Gulch.
The show features a hilarious and memorable cast of characters, including the dim-witted but lovable Private Grif (Geoff Ramsey), the uptight Sergeant Sarge (Matt Hullum), the sarcastic and cynical Private Caboose (Joel Heyman), and the perpetually angry and bombastic Captain Flowers (J. Shannon McCormick), among others. The voice acting is top-notch, with each actor bringing their own unique style and comedic timing to their respective roles.
One of the standout aspects of the series is its use of the Halo video game franchise's game engine and assets to create the animation. The series "hijacks" the game, using the characters, vehicles, and environments from the game and incorporating them into the story. While the animation may not be polished and sleek like a Pixar film or even other animated television shows, it has a certain charm and authenticity that adds to the show's overall appeal.
Another defining aspect of the show is its humor. Red Vs. Blue quickly earned a reputation for its irreverent and absurdist sense of humor, and it's not hard to see why. From running gags about Grif being lazy and always trying to avoid work to Sarge's ridiculous attempts at leadership and Caboose's hilarious misunderstandings of everything, the show never fails to elicit laughs from its audience.
That being said, the show is not just mindless humor. There are elements of drama and intrigue, as well, as the characters and the storyline evolve throughout the series. From the mysterious AI program known as Omega to the arrival of new characters like the Freelancers, the show manages to keep things fresh and interesting, even as it mines the same basic premise of a never-ending Red vs. Blue battle.
The series also features some notable guest stars, including actor Elijah Wood, who voices one of the Freelancers, and the band Trocadero, whose rocking tunes provide the show's infectiously catchy theme song, among other contributions.
The DVD release of the series by New Video Group includes a wealth of special features, including commentary tracks for each episode, behind-the-scenes featurettes, outtakes, and more. This is a must-have for any fan of the series or anyone interested in the creative process that goes into making web-based animation.
All in all, Red Vs. Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles is a hilarious, irreverent, and entertaining web series that has rightfully earned its place as a classic of the medium. With its expert voice acting, clever writing, and unique animation style, it's a must-watch for anyone who loves comedy, sci-fi, or just plain good storytelling.