[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.20,0:00:02.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Ok! Good meeting."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:02.22,0:00:03.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh, it's not over."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.85,0:00:04.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You two!"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.85,0:00:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Grab the fabricator and follow me!"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.59,0:00:08.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Carmine!"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.00,0:00:23.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's been 10 years since
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.55,0:00:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Marcus, Dom,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.78,0:00:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the other members of Delta Squad
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.42,0:00:28.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,first shot and chainsawed their way
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.13,0:00:29.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,across the planet, Sera,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.75,0:00:31.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a desperate attempt to defeat the Locust.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.87,0:00:32.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in some ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.74,0:00:34.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,both those characters and
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.86,0:00:37.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the gameplay we so strongly associate with them
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.34,0:00:40.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,now feel like relics from another era.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.42,0:00:43.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gears of War 4 seems to recognize this,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.17,0:00:45.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reinvigorating the series signature combat
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.43,0:00:46.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without reinventing it;
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.92,0:00:48.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and shifting the narrative focus
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.54,0:00:50.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from Marcus and his buddies
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.06,0:00:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a younger generation,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.73,0:00:53.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who have grown up without the threat
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.06,0:00:55.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the Locust looming over them.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.11,0:00:57.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately, Gears of War 4 still
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.81,0:00:59.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,plays it safe:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.11,0:01:01.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,teasing us with the potential for a story
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.08,0:01:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that could have taken the franchise
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.44,0:01:04.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a fascinating new direction --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.28,0:01:06.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before settling into yet another
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.00,0:01:07.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simple and straightforward
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.44,0:01:09.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fight against the Locust.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.39,0:01:11.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The result is a solid, competent shooter;
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.95,0:01:14.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a decent game that could have been much better.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.96,0:01:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gears 4 gets off to a promising start,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.22,0:01:18.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,suggesting that the COG,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.78,0:01:20.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Coalition of Ordered Governments,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.77,0:01:22.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that fought so valiantly for humanity
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.67,0:01:23.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the original games,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.73,0:01:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has become an oppressive, authoritarian force
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.42,0:01:28.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a post-Locust world.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.39,0:01:30.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The press conference that begins the game
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.59,0:01:32.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,shows us how the government-controlled media
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.59,0:01:34.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,glorifies the COG and its de facto leader,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.98,0:01:36.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First Minister Jinn --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.74,0:01:38.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,presenting her as a noble figure,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.58,0:01:40.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with humanity's best interests at heart.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.73,0:01:45.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"It's a world of safety. Of family."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.52,0:01:47.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The reality of Jinn's politics turn out to be
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.74,0:01:49.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more complicated, however,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.34,0:01:51.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as people are required by law to live in
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.41,0:01:52.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fabricated cities;
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.75,0:01:55.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and women are required to participate in post-war
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.54,0:01:57.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,repopulation efforts.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.74,0:01:59.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kait, the squad's one female member,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.94,0:02:02.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,understandably takes issue with this.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.05,0:02:03.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You got an issue with babies?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.82,0:02:05.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No. I have an issue with being told
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.80,0:02:07.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I need to have one."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.24,0:02:09.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'd hoped the game might explore
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.01,0:02:10.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this idea some more.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.26,0:02:13.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's quickly dropped and never mentioned gain.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.33,0:02:15.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game play also starts off strong,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.47,0:02:16.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before becoming more conventional
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.93,0:02:18.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and expected.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.47,0:02:19.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As "Outsiders,"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.47,0:02:20.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,humans who have chosen
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.69,0:02:21.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to defy the government
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.92,0:02:23.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and live in their own settlements,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.24,0:02:24.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the protagonists face off against
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.94,0:02:26.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the COG's robot army
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.24,0:02:27.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the early sections of the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.90,0:02:29.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During these encounters,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.06,0:02:30.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the combat feels simultaneously
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.84,0:02:32.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,swift and hefty.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.59,0:02:34.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Spherical enemies called "trackers"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.56,0:02:36.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can be kicked away like soccer balls,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.52,0:02:39.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lending the combat a playful physicality.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.23,0:02:41.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the spectacle of robots being dropped
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.53,0:02:43.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into the environment by massive planes
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.86,0:02:44.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,flying overhead
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.86,0:02:46.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,makes these battles feel dramatic
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.58,0:02:48.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and desperate.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.03,0:02:49.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's also during these first few acts that
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.83,0:02:52.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we see far more of Sera's natural beauty
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.57,0:02:54.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than we ever have before.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.61,0:02:56.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But soon, the game retreats into
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.26,0:02:58.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more standard and familiar territory.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.72,0:03:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All the interesting early concerns about
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.81,0:03:02.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how the COG is misusing its
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.49,0:03:03.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,military and industrial power
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.95,0:03:05.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go out the window,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.33,0:03:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when the game once again pits you against
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.86,0:03:07.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Locust,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.72,0:03:10.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the sorts of grimy, industrial environments
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.06,0:03:13.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that were so common in the original Gears games.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.17,0:03:15.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Locust continue to be an enemy
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.04,0:03:17.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with all the nuance of J.R.R. Tolkien's orcs;
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.79,0:03:20.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're seemingly an inherently hostile,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.13,0:03:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,aggressive species that we can feel
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.02,0:03:23.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,justified in slaughtering without
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.53,0:03:25.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any moral qualms whatsoever.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.96,0:03:28.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Still, the interpersonal dynamics within your squad
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.69,0:03:31.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,set Gears 4 apart a bit from its predecessors.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.65,0:03:34.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The central character, Marcus Fenix's son, JD,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.49,0:03:36.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,isn't terribly interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.33,0:03:38.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's the sort of blandly likable protagonist
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.81,0:03:40.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who might have been played by Chris Pratt
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.28,0:03:41.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if this had been a movie --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.66,0:03:43.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not the funny, quirky Chris Pratt,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.86,0:03:46.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more like the Jurassic World Chris Pratt.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.71,0:03:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what is interesting is the difference between
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.24,0:03:50.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Marcus and the younger members
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.54,0:03:51.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the squad.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.55,0:03:54.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Marcus is as gruff, grizzled, and crusty as ever;
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.85,0:03:57.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but JD, Kait, and Del
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.21,0:03:58.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bring a different kind of energy to Gears.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.46,0:04:01.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're a bit more lighthearted than
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.09,0:04:02.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the men of Delta Squad were --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.56,0:04:04.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,joking and making wisecracks,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.44,0:04:05.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,suggesting that they've grown up in
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.91,0:04:06.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a more peaceful time
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.79,0:04:09.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than the previous generation did.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.20,0:04:11.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Looks like their ship just came in!"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.50,0:04:13.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately, Del, the squad's
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.48,0:04:14.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one black member,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.60,0:04:15.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't get to do much of anything
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.85,0:04:17.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but joke and make wisecracks.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.95,0:04:19.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Uh, how can someone be terrible
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.65,0:04:20.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at Rock Paper Scissors?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.93,0:04:23.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Easily. Because you always pick paper."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.36,0:04:25.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"...do I?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.15,0:04:27.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,JD, Marcus, and Kait all have the suggestion
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.68,0:04:29.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of lives that extend beyond the battlefield.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.93,0:04:32.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Del's character arc begins and ends
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.18,0:04:34.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with being JD's warm, wisecracking buddy.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.57,0:04:37.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meanwhile, Oscar, Kait's uncle,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.10,0:04:39.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is presented as reckless and drunk,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.11,0:04:41.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,teetering over into being a racial stereotype.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.14,0:04:44.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"How about I call you hungover?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.12,0:04:44.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[laughs]
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.86,0:04:46.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh, you got some tough, boy, don't you?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.66,0:04:47.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Uncle!"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.51,0:04:49.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's also frustrating that the game employs
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.41,0:04:51.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a standard damsel-in-distress device,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.56,0:04:53.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with Kate's mother, Reina,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.05,0:04:55.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who is introduced as a strong leader,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.16,0:04:56.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being reduced to a plot mechanism
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.78,0:04:59.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when she's taken by the Locust early on.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.82,0:05:01.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sure Marcus is also captured
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.36,0:05:02.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a brief period of time,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.75,0:05:04.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's not the same sort of overarching
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.66,0:05:07.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,plot motivator that Reina's capture is.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.01,0:05:07.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the other hand,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.96,0:05:09.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kait is presented as a capable,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.61,0:05:11.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and competent member of the team,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.53,0:05:13.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with Marcus and everyone else
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.19,0:05:15.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,treating her with respect and a sense of solidarity.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.55,0:05:17.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"We'll be right beside you."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.75,0:05:19.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, not treating a female character terribly
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.81,0:05:22.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is hardly something we should celebrate -
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.01,0:05:24.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's simply something we should expect.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.00,0:05:26.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And ultimately, Gears of War 4 is all about
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.44,0:05:29.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,giving us exactly what we expect:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.06,0:05:30.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nothing less and nothing more.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.79,0:05:32.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a solidly built machine that,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.85,0:05:35.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,10 years after the release of the original game,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.01,0:05:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wants to convince us that this franchise
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.98,0:05:38.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can still be relevant.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.49,0:05:40.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if it's going to be relevant,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.20,0:05:42.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it needs to take some chances.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.33,0:05:44.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gears 4 starts off suggesting that it
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.36,0:05:45.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,might take us to new places,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.91,0:05:47.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but then shies away from that.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.74,0:05:48.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in the end,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.52,0:05:49.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's yet another cover shooter
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.77,0:05:51.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that centers the experiences of its
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.29,0:05:52.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,white male characters
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.51,0:05:54.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and has us fighting the same straightforward
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.31,0:05:56.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,battles we've fought before.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.19,0:05:56.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It could have been
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.95,0:05:59.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fun, and suprising, and special --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.44,0:06:01.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but in the end, it's content to just be
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.45,0:06:04.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fun, and familiar, and predictable.