The Teton Gravity Mavic Hour is a unique event that brings together the worlds of action sports and aerial photography. This event is organized by Teton Gravity Research (TGR), a renowned production company that specializes in action sports films and content. The Mavic Hour is a collaboration between TGR and DJI, a leading manufacturer of consumer drones. DJI's Mavic Pro drone is the star of the show, as it allows for stunning aerial footage to be captured with ease. This event aims to showcase the capabilities of the Mavic Pro and inspire creativity in aerial cinematography. During the Mavic Hour, TGR teams up with professional athletes and filmmakers to capture epic shots from breathtaking locations.
The latest one, The Curse of the Pharaohs, is the best yet.
It can feel like busywork given how many times Assassin s Creed Origins has asked us to perform these exact same objectives in service of other storylines. Released in March of 2018, the expansion takes our protagonist, Bayek of Siwa, to Thebes home to the great temples of Luxor and Karnak and to the Theban Necropolis, including the famed Valley of the Kings.
During the Mavic Hour, TGR teams up with professional athletes and filmmakers to capture epic shots from breathtaking locations. These athletes push the limits of their respective sports, while filmmakers capture their every move from above. The result is a visual spectacle that combines the thrill of action sports with the beauty of aerial photography.
Game Review: Assassin’s Creed – The Curse of the Pharaohs
In the spring, the Nile Scribes invited guest blogger Emily Hotton to tell us how Egypt is represented in the latest installment of the Assassin’s Creed franchise: Origins. The game developers recently added a new expansion called “The Curse of the Pharaohs” featuring the afterlife worlds of four Egyptian royals. This week, we are pleased to welcome Emily Hotton back for a review of the expansion.
Promotional poster for ACO: The Curse of the Pharaohs (Photo: Ubisoft)
Guest Scribe: Emily Hotton
In my previous two reviews of Ubisoft’s 2017 addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Origins (read Review #1 and Review #2), I praised and criticised the base game and the Discovery Tour in equal measure. I enjoyed this installment of the franchise immensely and respected the time and effort the developers and consultants gave towards perfecting the finished product. That appreciation, however, was nearly shattered with the release of the largest expansion to the game to date: “The Curse of the Pharaohs”.
Released in March of 2018, the expansion takes our protagonist, Bayek of Siwa, to Thebes: home to the great temples of Luxor and Karnak and to the Theban Necropolis, including the famed Valley of the Kings. Bayek is drawn to Thebes due to rumours that the kings of old are reawakening, mysteriously massacring the innocent citizens of the city. In order to stop this otherworldly phenomenon, Bayek must travel to the afterlives of each of the resurrected pharaohs through their tombs in the Valley of the Kings in order to save Thebes from this “curse”.
The city of Thebes as it was reimagined during the Ptolemaic Period (Photo: Ubisoft)
I was somewhat disappointed that a large expansion was playing into one of the biggest cliches of ancient Egypt in popular culture. Since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV 62) in 1922 by Howard Carter, the stereotype of the mummy’s curse has been irrevocably interwoven with ancient Egypt’s portrayal in popular media. The base game and its first expansion, “The Hidden Ones,” avoided the stereotype and instead stuck to a storyline delicately interwoven with the main franchise’s overarching plot. Like the decision to make Bayek a Medjay or choosing the decline of the Ptolemaic dynasty as the setting, I feel this decision to perpetuate the false notion of the “curse of the mummy” was made to draw attention to the game instead of focusing on educating those unfamiliar with Egyptian histor y.
Ba-birds, representations of the human soul in ancient Egypt, are seen flying through Nefertiti’s Afterlife (Photo: Ubisoft)
What Was Well Done
(1) Entering the Afterlife
Bayek enters the afterlives of Nefertiti (1353-1336 BC), Akhenaten (1353-1336 BC), Tutankhamun (1332-1323 BC), and Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) in order to end their terrorizing in the living world.In general, I found the process of entering the afterlife to be a well-rendered experience. It plays appropriately into the themes of the Underworld Books which dictate the soul’s journey into the afterlife. The one criticism I have was the use of false doors: while universal in tomb architecture of the Old Kingdom, false doors do not appear in the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings as they do in the game. Regardless of this fact, the false doors do work quite well to transport Bayek from the realm of the living to the dead.
False door leading to the afterlife in the rear of Tutankhamun’s in-game tomb (KV 62). (Photo: Ubisoft)
After Bayek makes his way through the false door, he finds himself in a long chamber with water flowing across a narrow walkway dotted with waterlilies and pads – the Lake of Flowers. On either side stand tall, intimidating statues – presumably representing the 42 Judges of the Dead. Powerful voices echo through the chamber, both male and female. Initially, I thought the recited lines were those of the well-known Negative Confession and this was the weighing of the heart against the feather of Ma’at before Osiris and the 42 Judges. But, listening closely, I realized the judges were accusing Bayek of transgressions: “Have you killed the innocent; the weak? Murdered for your cause! Avenge yourself; burn with rage! Cause terror in the hearts of innocents?” The effect was even more dramatic than the “I have not” confession formula featured in the Weighing of the Heart scene. I adore this adaptation – while not replicating the exact Negative Confession uttered by the deceased, you are given strong admonishments from powerful voices as you progress through the hall to the afterlife.
Waterlily path, where the Bayek hears the judgments of the gods. (Photo: Ubisoft)
(2) Tutankhamun’s Tomb
As with the base game, the attention to detail in the expansion is phenomenal. There is intention behind the placement of every object, and wall scene. For example, Tutankhamun’s tomb is filled to the brim with royal funerary grave goods, while the others are mostly empty – picked clean in antiquity. This reflects reality: Tutankhamun’s tomb, though still looted at least twice in antiquity, was promptly resealed and eventually lost after the stairs were mistakenly buried.The one criticism I have for Tutankhamun’s tomb is the entrance: it should have been inaccessible from the surface due to the Ramesside workmen’s huts which blocked the stairs until Carter’s rediscovery of the tomb in the 1920s.
Treasury room in the tomb of Tutankhamun (Photo: Ubisoft)
Another detail worth mentioning were the thrones of the pharaohs within their afterlives. Each throne has a famous scene depicted on the back of the seat – though I would say the scene from Tutankhamun’s throne is most recognizable. The throne bears the same scene found on one of his many funerary chairs. The throne (JE 62028) made its home in the Egyptian Museum, but will soon be displayed together with the entire Tutankhamun collection in the Grand Egyptian Museum which is currently under construction at Giza.
This is where this add-on gets to really commit to the idea of Egyptian mythology, and it makes good on the opportunity. Every afterlife setting is splendidly unique, but there are constants that tie them all together. The enemy guards are jackals instead of humans. Unsettling ba-birds (ostensibly birds with human heads) flock to most every edifice. Giant scorpions rove freely, acting as passive guardians of the land.
TGR is known for its high-quality production values, and the footage captured during the Mavic Hour is no exception. The Mavic Pro's compact size and advanced technology allow for agile and precise flying, resulting in spectacular shots that were once unimaginable. The Teton Gravity Mavic Hour is not just limited to professional athletes and filmmakers. It also serves as a platform for aspiring photographers and cinematographers to showcase their skills. TGR encourages participants to share their own Mavic Pro footage on social media using the hashtag #MavicHour, providing them with an opportunity to be featured on TGR's platforms. The Mavic Hour is not just about capturing stunning shots; it also serves as a celebration of the outdoor lifestyle. TGR firmly believes in the power of nature to inspire and challenge individuals. This event encourages people to explore the great outdoors and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. Overall, the Teton Gravity Mavic Hour is a captivating event that combines the worlds of action sports and aerial photography. It showcases the remarkable capabilities of the Mavic Pro drone and inspires individuals to explore their own creative potential..
Reviews for "Teton Gravity and Mavic Hour: A Perfect Combination for Epic Adventures."
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to watching "Teton Gravity Mavic Hour" as I had heard great things about it. However, I was deeply disappointed. The film lacked a cohesive narrative and felt more like a random collection of footage put together. The editing was choppy and made it difficult to follow the flow of the film. Overall, I found it disjointed and unsatisfying.
2. Mike - 2/5 - I found "Teton Gravity Mavic Hour" to be incredibly underwhelming. The cinematography was impressive, but the lack of a compelling story or character development left me disconnected from the film. It seemed to rely heavily on showcasing extreme sports footage without providing any depth or substance. As a result, I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately felt like I wasted my time watching it.
3. Sarah - 3/5 - While "Teton Gravity Mavic Hour" had moments of breathtaking visuals, I found it to be lacking in substance. The film focused too much on the technical aspects of extreme sports, leaving little room for storytelling or character development. The lack of a clear narrative arc made it difficult for me to connect with the film on an emotional level. Overall, it was a visually stunning but shallow experience.
4. Tom - 2/5 - "Teton Gravity Mavic Hour" seemed more like a promotional video for extreme sports than an actual documentary. The constant barrage of high-adrenaline footage became repetitive and numbing after a while. The film lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights or perspectives. I was left feeling unsatisfied and craving a more substantive exploration of the subject matter.
5. Emily - 2/5 - I was disappointed with "Teton Gravity Mavic Hour" as it failed to live up to the hype surrounding it. The film lacked a clear structure and felt disjointed throughout. The constant use of flashy editing techniques and fast-paced action sequences became exhausting to watch, making it difficult to appreciate the cinematography. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to create a compelling and engaging documentary.