Rotor DR1 (2015) User Reviews

1.5 hours of my life just gone

[WatchAndSmile · 1/10 · 12 December 2015]

Well, the script had some potential when I saw the trailer of this movie and unfortunately the trailer was the best thing about it. Apart from that this is one of the most boring movies I've watched in 2015. The acting was horrible. I get that they can't afford good actors, but they should've tried harder Music was what you expect from a no-budget movie- it's like they use the same database with bad soundtracks.

The story itself makes no sense to the end and it drags and drags the viewer into a collection of boring clips with nonsense that makes no sense or relationship to the story - felt like they were trying to make a 20-minute short film into a full feature so they just slowed everything down and filled it with useless dialogs.

The star was the director's son. That says a lot.

[annchappell · 21 October 2015]

The lead actor is the director's son. That should have said something right there. Got bored with this. I turned it off after 30 minutes. Had a hard time trying to figure out where the film was going. Everything seemed so drawn out. The conflicts were unwarranted. I will watch any kind of budget film but I could not get past this one. However, I could see where the film could have gone. This is one movie I could see being redone. I could not understand why they were after Kitch when his place was burned down. The reason for chasing him wasn't valid at all. Just didn't make any sense. Are there many other films out there using the drone concept?

Wow! Who financed this piece of junk??!?

[mishelem · 1/10 · 21 October 2015]

Not a bad story line, not a bad script, but some of the worst acting I've ever seen. The main character isn't bad, it's the supporting cast that ruins the movie. And the director seems to have fallen in love with his footage because he couldn't cut anything! It does drag on (and that's only the first half!). 4C and Maya must be good friends of the director who were cashing in on a BIG favor because they're not even close to being actors--- they're pretty good at reading aloud but they better keep their day jobs. I will watch almost any movie regardless of the quality but I couldn't finish this one! Christian Kapper, you have potential but steer clear of this director in the future!

Live action Disney Drone (in more senses than one)

[markkbranson · 5/10 · 14 November 2017]

OK--the acting is like the Disney Channel rejects. The plot is plodding along. The soundtrack is techo-un-inspired. The exterior shots are somewhat interesting in this post-apocalyptic film. I cannot recommend this film to you because of the observations above. I can say if you have an hour and a half to kill, there are far worse things you could be doing.

The acting is simply bad and I hope that this poor show is due to the near amateur-status of these leads. Christian Kapper (same last name as the director) and Natalie Welch are the leads who essentially cannot act themselves out of a wet bag. They show one look. They deliver lines like a rehearsal reading of the script. They do not create any sort of spark which could have mitigated the bad acting.

The plot is supported with the voice-over narration of Kapper and this voice-over does not help move the plot along. Things happen at random and the pointlessness of the narrative is further underscored. The ending is pretty clear from the first part, so there is not compulsion even to see how things sort of end.

Since we are seeing drone/human interaction, the techno-music seems appropriate, but it is simply not inspiring. There is a lame musical interlude on the bus, but that does not assist with anything.

The only light spot (if you will pardon this obvious pun) are the exterior shots, apparently of Ohio. Whether it is a snowy field after the drone race or the abandoned mall (where Kapper is reflecting with a voice over), the shots are of interest particularly given both the film's theme and our current politics vs. climate milieu. You might find these images part of your justification for seeing this film.

I cannot recommend this film, but I cannot say avoid it at all costs. There are some aspects worth the 90+ minutes, if you believe you have to explain yourself. I--on the other hand--don't need an explanation for anyone.

A low budget affair - but that's not where it falls short.

[mreffgee · 5/10 · 5 July 2020]

Not all films need to be multi-million dollar action-packed epics bursting with Hollywood A-listers. Great films can be made with inexperienced or unknown actors, a shoestring budget and a more introspective tone. And, Rotor DR1 tries to be one of those films. But it doesn't quite succeed.

Conceptually, the film is decent though it undoes some good work in the final 15 or so minutes. It's pretty well shot. For the most part, the dialogue avoids falling into cliches or being too on-the-nose. The actors are a mixed bag - some are quite good, most are passable and a couple are very wooden. Sadly, the lead actor is somewhere between the latter two groups.

Where the film truly falls down, though, is in the plotting. There are just so many gaping plot holes that it completely undermines the motivations of some characters.

The shortest movie I ever saw

[alexmatosevic · 1/10 · 2 October 2020]

Just a mix of bad acting, long boring scenes and a pointless script.

Drones, drones, everywhere!

[dopeydinosaur · 5/10 · 19 March 2023]

Okay this takes place in the future I suppose, where some virus has wiped out a lot of the human population. I figured this movie was made in 2020 because of the covid thing inspiring so many movies with viruses, but this was from 2015! Anyway, everyone who was meant to die is already dead so everyone who is still around should be fine, right? No, instead they're just a bunch of weasels stealing from each other and knocking drones out of the sky (where are they all coming from?) to pull out their little batteries as currency. And then you got that one idiot who's wasting electricity powering an arcade is full of games he doesn't play!

The fact that the world kind of gone to crap is really nothing to do with the virus. The survivors could simply get it together and rebuild and carry on with a lessoned world population. Unless I missed a reason why electricity and stuff doesn't work? I suppose it's because there's no one around to maintain it.

In the movie, main character guy stumbles upon a drone and was about to step on it to take its batteries and stuff but instead realizes this one's kind of different and takes it home. He carefully extracts his battery and checks it out in his little testing thing at home, and the electrical potential value is off the chart! That element peaked my interest and I had to know why this particular drone was so special. Also, did it fly through AI or was someone controlling it?

The movie is kind of slow paced but was interesting enough. I think stuff like the drone races was kind of silly. I don't think that they would be wastefully gambling and competing with what could be a useful resource. Kind of looked like a bunch of RC drone nerds at a convention, not to a bunch of scavengers living day to day. Not to mention 4C, who obviously has no problem finding food. Not a critique on his personal self, just pointing out the fact that these characters do not seem to be suffering too much in the aftermath of the virus.

great series

[rjrosseboom · 10/10 · 8 January 2015]

I introduced that I am active in the RC airplanes and quad copters and tricopters in Netherlands. after having heard I'm about ROTOR DR1 immediately joined the community. I'm excited to see what cool series ROTOR DR1 has become. and the film will definitely be better. if you have not seen the series, you must certainly do this. it's also nice to see that there is such a large group of people who think along. and sees that it appreciated by seeing things back where you've thought about it. I hope in the future to see more of ROTOR DR1. and receives more attention in the media.

proud to be a part of ROTOR DR1.

greetz from Netherlands.

Great movie

[rwilliams-77461 · 7/10 · 31 January 2019]

Wish they would've spent more on it bc I think it could've been so much better but I definitely loved it.

Rotor DR1

[emmroper · 27 January 2015]

Rotor DR1 is a community collaborative film which basically means anyone around the globe can join their Facebook page and the forum on their website, and help create this film. As a part of the Rotor DR1 community I have voted on different aspects of the film and given my opinion on many different elements of the film. The greatest part is they actually used some of my ideas!!! The Rotor DR1 crew lets you know they have read your comments on their Facebook page by liking every single post and comment. Let me tell you this is a new and exciting kind of entertainment. Helping create ideas and reading other people's ideas then seeing these ideas come to life on the scene is an awesome experience. I think Rotor DR1 really has something to offer all ages. It's a great family film.

Apocalyptic Genre Film with a strong focus on Drones - Make a part 2

[paul-34512 · 9/10 · 21 October 2015]

This film is an interesting concept in that its a community collaboration apocalyptic genre film with a strong focus on Drones "RotorDR1". For a small budget movie of this type they have done remarkable job i.e. Cinematography, Storyline, Acting, Directing etc.

Now if you're a Drone/RC enthusiast, then you're really going to love this movie. WOW.. was i surprised.. the first time I saw the racing it looked amazing but whole racing thing has really taken off in the real world!! Really hoping the non Drone Community like this story as much as my family do and it gets more media coverage. Would really love to see more from the Cast and Crew of Rotor DR1.

I think it's the sort of film/story that has so much potential!! Hoping to see a part 2 soon :D

I thoroughly enjoyed this film!

[ronlyn1 · 13 February 2015]

Excellent Film! I am drawn to this type of movie, I love the apocalyptic genre that Rotor Dr1 depicts. The video quality was outstanding and the shoot locations were very realistic. The storyline kept me very intrigued from beginning to end. Every little twist and turn just got me more interested in what was going to happen to Kitch next. Some of the acting was a little lacking but still very believable and watchable. Of all the actors in the movie, Maya was, in my opinion, the best and most convincing in the movie. I found Kitch's character to be a little dry. I will be recommending this to all my friends. Oh Ya, I want my own dr1 if S.H.T.F ever happens!

Best movie I have watched!

[ponchw · 10/10 · 11 February 2019]

This movie deserves an Oscar!!! Everyone should watch it, I highly recommend!