Very good article.

Flash remarked in the post-match interview, that he thought Movie was nervous in the first two games, but that he played to his potential in the third. I think that that was exactly what happened. If you call only game 3 "decently", and game 1 and 2 bad, then I don't think you are being fair, to both players. Movie had Flash by the ropes, both in game 1 and game 2, but failed to press home his advantage, while Flash played at a remarkably high level. How anyone cannot think those games were brilliant, I cannot fathom.

Flash played very good, but he has his limits. He usually doesn't prepare a specific build. Rather, he adapts and reacts to his opponent. This playstyle has the obvious disadvantage that if your opponent is able to build up a insurmountable momentum, then Flash will not be able to survive. Hyun, Jaedong, and also Movie proved this in the games they won against Flash. However, when the opponent makes mistakes, and does not use his timings to the full advantage, he won't stand a chance against Flash, since his reactive play will pound on any weakness with such vigor that no mercy can be had.

Movie was able to build up his momentum in game 3 and use it to his advantage, therefore he won. In game 1 he did build up the momentum, but made mistakes in the late game, giving Flash the little chance he needs. In game 2 Movie was again taking control, but made a key mistake, and lost his momentum. In game 4 Movie might've been out thought by his opponent, as he failed to prepare for Flash's reaction. One should note that, if Movie did defeat the rush, and that was very much possible (though incredibly hard!), then Flash wouldn't have been behind much, if at all. It is an excellent example of Flash's reactive play, were he tries to use the mistakes of his opponent to his advantage, while taking few risks.

Overall, I think that Flash played one of the best series of his live. His game was impeccable, with close to no mistakes, and a perfect control of the mindgame. Movie on the other hand had problems with his nerves and made too many mistakes, losing him the series. What is however so exciting about Movie's play here, is that while Flash was playing S-class starcraft, Movie actually had come very close to beating him, by playing near S-class starcraft of his own. He did exactly what was necessary against Flash, and if not for the key mistakes he made, which showed his lack of experience, and maybe his relative low apm, he would have won this series.

*disclaimer*: CJ entus fanboy speaking

Alethios

New Zealand2765 Posts

January 28 2010 13:31 GMT

#46

A few hallucinated arbiters a Nal_rA does not make.

KwarK

United States43250 Posts

January 28 2010 13:37 GMT

#47

On January 28 2010 18:56 J1.au wrote:

Show nested quote +

Gas steal into proxy that gets scouted, what an amazing game plan. I'd probably describe it as "gay" and "newbie" if I was as juvenile as you.

You seemed to have stopped reading after the first 2 lines of the analysis. That's like reading the first chapter of a book and criticising it for simply introducing a character without developing them. I suggest you continue reading to find out how Movie used the gas steal, the proxy and the fact Flash scouted the proxy to create a situation in which he had massive strategic advantages.

DivinO

United States4796 Posts

January 28 2010 14:26 GMT

#48

On January 28 2010 19:20 Loanshark wrote:
Shine one of the top zergs?

i lol'd

Shine certainly isn't a bad zerg. Below Jaedong, Calm, and EffOrt.

Lovin

Denmark812 Posts

January 28 2010 15:21 GMT

#49

Thanks Doc!

Jugan

United States1566 Posts

January 28 2010 19:02 GMT

#50

Movie played brilliantly, but he made some mistakes and Flash is an opponent that will take advantage of your tiny mistake(s)... even if he is in a losing position.

DreaM)XeRO

Korea (South)4667 Posts

January 28 2010 21:57 GMT

#51

great great writeup.
poor david

jalstar

United States8198 Posts

January 29 2010 02:32 GMT

#52

On January 28 2010 11:31 synapse wrote:
Somehow I doubt Movie thought of those builds himself....

yeah that other good protoss on cj gave them to him

dukethegold

Canada5645 Posts

January 29 2010 05:49 GMT

#53

On January 29 2010 11:32 jalstar wrote:

Show nested quote +

yeah that other good protoss on cj gave them to him

LOL!

But he still got his coaches.

And Much (even if Much is on ACE now).

But Flash had Stork...that's imba.

NeCroPoTeNce

United States513 Posts

January 29 2010 15:17 GMT

#54

Lol I was wondering why this took so long. But those are some great pictures, especially at the end, and the "Carriers are very popular with the ladies" was golden.

ReiKo

Croatia1023 Posts

January 29 2010 17:38 GMT

#55

great article but u should have mention when flash saved like 7 SCV's with gas before his expansion went up in game 1 on Heartbreak Ridge.

torm3ntin

Brazil2534 Posts

January 30 2010 18:14 GMT

#56

i think the show itself was very entertaining and they gave all the hype a finals like this needs. but the game itself was disappointing...

Duke

United States1106 Posts

January 30 2010 19:33 GMT

#57

OMG i just saw the caption on the front page for this article. "Better Nate than Ever?" that didn't get enough attention, i fucking lold hard.

thunk

United States6233 Posts

January 31 2010 10:15 GMT

#58

thunk

United States6233 Posts

February 01 2010 16:32 GMT

#59

Kwark gave good analysis-es (plural spelling?). Movie's a smart protoss player. He made very good game decisions, combined with very good set decisions. Strategic plays in sets 1 and 2 make Flash play honest in sets and 3 and 4, so Movie could get away with greedy macro builds. It's a pretty telling homage to Flash that he was still able to 3-1 in a convincing manner. He's just that good.

You did a great job covering the OSL this season. Keep up the good work, DoctorHelvetica!