Impressive.

You've put a lot of work into this Paul, and it's definitely paid off Garrett's rent. The cinematography was very well done, good use of different angles and focussing on the small things. I liked the receding cam view from the gem being locked up, and your alternation between multiple camera perspectives, something which takes skill in animation.

Really nice intro. I love it when animators intertextualise. Nice and simple plot, good build up, complication wasn't overly original but altogether tightly packaged.

Your background art was pretty damn decent. I noticed some cut corners like the pillars looking very two dimensional even though they were arranged three dimensionally, and flat doors, but hey barely anyone notices. Nice fyre ;D

You've really paid attention to the detail of light and colour, showing it on the stick figures themselves, the shadow of Garrett as he's climbing up the rope, changing the environment lighting when he puts out the fire, showing the light from opening door onto the guy sleeping, it really stood out to me. Really emphasises the environment of the scene.

And your audio. Wow. I have to say, it's one of the best I've seen so far. The first time Garrett spoke, I thought it was part of the music, it sounded that seamless. Just curious, were all the voices recorded?
You've really utilised stereo, which brings the viewer into the movie, instead of the movie to the viewer. Combined with switching of perspectives, in the scene with the drunk guy, and having that distinct transition from downstairs with the guards, then back up to the thief, that was something I rarely find people attempt. Very nice choice of soundtrack too, and lack of it as well in the silent scenes.

Now I hate to be a critic, but there were some things I didn't like.
- The eyes. Yes, you've probably got it many a time by now, but I really hate huge, wide, unnatural looking eyes unless they've got huge pupils to compensate heh. From the front, the guy looks like a downer because he's got no nose and the eyes just bunch into his face. And I know it's a style, and very hard to deliver good yet unique looking sticks, but at least make the eyes a bit smaller I reckon.
- Tweening. Yes, it saves so much time, but try playing with the ease, and making it a bit less 'straight', if you don't want to fbf everything. Physics are very important when dealing with sticks, and they are a bitch to master, I'll grant that. When he's loading an arrow, at least fbf that because it's close up and tweening becomes pretty obvious. There were two points where proper physics were critical, when he jumps from one landing to the other side, under the circular window,
- Action. There was barely a fight scene :P But fight scenes are hard so I'll save my remarks. I was really looking forward to some epic archery massacre though. Then again, he's just a thief.

Anyway, yeah my score's really more of an 8.5, but that rounds to 9 ;D
Again, you've done an exemplary piece of work, and made not just Stickpage, but all stick animators proud.

Ps. Time for some trivia. His right eye is the green one right? A few inconsistencies, before he hides in the library, two brown eyes; then when he goes into the bedroom, as well as afterwards when he's running back past the pillars, his left eye is the green one; before he fires the explosive arrow, his right eye is brown again ;D Sorry I'm being a detail whore haha.

A round of applause! Wait.. how round?

Excellent use of the English vernacular, a unique and very well thought out comic approach to what smart alecs live their lives doing. I enjoyed it thoroughly, the facial expressions were priceless. Also loved the credits haha, though I have yet to watch Amazing Grace. Is it any good? :P

Finished with only 2 missing secrets, and some extra items! 🤔 Amazing artwork and incredible world-building. It really was a grand finale. The frustrating thing is I wish you could go back to the room before the ending... Clicking Continue only brings you to the ending! I'm a completionist so to solve those secrets 100% I'll have to speed run the whole game again...

Might be an issue with Ruffle emulation but the Scroll down button in the Notes isn't working :(
Same with Submachine 7 as well

Damn, this brings back memories!
If you get stuck with the camera and the black vignette, I just kept clicking on everything, the camera switch, the camera stand etc. after a few minutes the vignette disappeared, the item came out and I could progress. Not sure if it was just how long I waited, or something I clicked, but hope that helps!
Also another visual bug- in Diary 2, at the bottom "m =" is meant to line up with the number.

Playful and yet epically moving.

I love the way it starts slow and sad, really emphasising the feeling of loss, but very quickly builds into a very playful gesture and suddenly erupts into a magical and epic brilliance. The sense of freedom and flight cannot be mistaken. Then it slowly returns to the sadness, completing the circle and ending the piece quite well.

The sad beginning with the heavy layering of strings really touches on Zimmer's style, and when the playfulness comes in, it reminds me of Desplat's Golden Compass track "Lyra, Roger and Billy". The epic section had me reminiscing Horner's Braveheart, especially with the traditional Celtic sounding instruments.

All in all, a wonderfully composed piece.

Powerful.

Loved it when the brass and strings took the soaring emotion to new heights, the buildups are very well done. I do reckon the cadence at the end needed to sound more complete though. The guitar at the beginning is alright, but what might have been better is a harp, would have added the extra magic. Effective use of windchimes too. Try some timpani rolls next time? :D

Reminds me slightly of Hans Zimmer, has a bit of James Horner in it too. Awesome music Jonas.

Cannot.

Get. Enough.

Narwhals are my life.