A kids party turns into a competitive thrill ride for one uncle in the short film Sophie’s Fortune. Full review is up after the jump.
According to director Chris Cronin and producer Phil Meachem, their short film (which comes in at 29 minutes long) took a staggering two years to make, and it’s understandable to see why. With little to no budget at all, Sophie’s Fortune is full of action and special effects, that it puts most Hollywood blockbusters to shame. It goes to show what can be achieved when talented people come together and want to work on a project just for the love of cinema.
Brendan (Simon Hardwick) escorts his niece Sophie to an outside birthday party when her parents are otherwise occupied. Seeing as they turned up late, there is little as way of cakes and games to please the young girl, so when a father’s treasure hunt is announced, Brendan sees this as a chance to win the prize and put a smile on Sophie’s little face.
Sophie’s Fortune is full of action and special effects, that it puts most Hollywood blockbusters to shame.
The game then turns into a violent yet fun free-for-all, with all the competitors inheriting guns and a whole manner of weapons to help them claim the prize. Much like the adventure films from the 80’s (Indiana Jones and The Goonies) Brendan has to fight his way across deadly booby traps whilst avoiding a huge gang of mercenaries. 
The look of the film is fantastic, the filmmakers have turned North England into the amazon, with spectacular waterfalls, lush plantation and derelict castle walls – something you would expect to see in an Uncharted game and not rainy Britain. Props go out to the sound guys too, who make ever punch and bullet sound fit right in.
Chris Cronin, who has already staked his claim as one of the most promising up-and-coming directors with the likes of Ante and Moments, has really outdone himself with Sophie’s Fortune. The film also advertised two of his future projects – TechHunt and an unnamed film for 2014. If they are anything like Sophie’s, they too will be unmissable.
Overall Thoughts:
Sophie’s Fortune is a fantastic adventure romp that will take you back to a time when popcorn blockbusters of the 80’s where plain and simple good fun.