Voyage of the Chimera is a 2021 independent Sci-Fi Drama film directed by Michael Gates, co-written with his brother Patrick, and co-produced with his wife, Laura.
Civilian aristocrat Marcus De Vol enters military service on a purchased commission as captain of Chimera - a battered and hybridized old destroyer spacecraft with a bottom-dollar crew. Initially given the relatively safe job of running down pirates and blacklisted vessels for prize money, a change of orders sends Marcus and his crew far from home and into very real danger. Marcus must become a leader despite his youth, inexperience, and self-doubt.
The film was shot entirely on greenscreen with a budget of less than $20,000, with director Gates creating the visual effects and sound mix himself, using virtual sets he created before shooting began.
This Movie contains examples of:
- And the Adventure Continues: the film ends with Chimera limping her way back to civilization, her fate unknown, and a title promising a sequel.
- Boarding Party: Chimera’s marines are dispatched to board the blacklisted freighter they encounter early in the film.
- Chekhov's Gun: Ensign Royce brings up the “Testudo” (Tortoise Shell) defense mechanism about halfway through the film. It saves the ship during the climax.
- Child Soldiers: Midshipman Arnold Masterson appears to be about 17 years old.
- Chromosome Casting: The officers and crew of the Chimera are all male. It is implied that there are other ships in the fleet that are entirely female.
- Deadpan Snarker: Eli Decker.Abel: You’re telling us we’re sailing a pair of coffins?
Salles: 'I guess so.
Eli: I was wondering what that smell was. - Despair Event Horizon: Marcus has what looks like a full-on panic attack when, after weeks and weeks of nothing, he begins to realize that he might just go home empty-handed after all. At least he has the sense to rush to his cabin instead of breaking down in front of his men.
- Downer Ending: Chimera’s encounter with Voltairine leaves her crippled and far from home, with numerous crew dead or injured.
- Faster-Than-Light Travel: Seemingly averted. The in-universe Static Shift Drive appears to relocate ships to their destination instantaneously and is definitely not a “warp drive.” Tamai at one point admonishes Salles: “don’t mention the W word. We’ll just laugh at you.”
- Freeze-Frame Bonus: Voltairine’s bow is inscribed with both its name and motto: “anarchismo sin objectivo.” In English: “anarchy without objective.”
- Hacked by a Pirate: Voltairine apparently does this to Chimera, causing the “Claire” AI to start cackling maniacally while the bridge monitors all go haywire. It also takes their maneuvering and weapons controls offline.
- Lame Pun Reaction: Tamai’s “enough breadboards in there to make the whole crew sandwiches… open face!” comment earns him one from Salles: “you’re a dork, sir.”
- Mass Teleportation: Chimera “transitions” between star systems instantaneously.
- Meaningful Name: the Chimera, named for a creature made up of the parts of multiple creatures, is itself jury-rigged from the damaged hulls of two other ships.
- Oh, Crap!: Marcus, realizing the Voltairine is not so dead after all.
- Privateer: Chimera is essentially a version of this.
- Rule of Three: Three instances of “dad jokes” involving Tamai and Salles. The first two times, it’s Tamai, the third time it’s Salles.
- Sailor's Ponytail: Hess has one of these.
- Space Is Noisy: rail guns, explosions, engines, jumping between galaxies, are all accompanied by shamelessly prominent sound effects.
- Superstitious Sailors: Abel shows evidence of this.
- Wham Line: “Does anybody see any white paint?
