If there's one thing that's satisfying in this life, it's seeing games translated into live action 3D stuff in a purdy way. With that in mind, when Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop, the effects guys behind Neill Blomkamp's Halo film shorts, slung these pictures our way, we smiled.

Below you'll find shots of Weta's fully functioning Warthog, Brutes, men in action and weapons. Granted, the plasma pistol looks a bit like a toy, but the rest of it's looking goooood.

Microsoft has also just announced a Halo film-making competition. It's looking for gamers and film makers to create the lost adventures of Master Chief. The platform holder's not looking for films that just re-create the action of the games, however. Oh no, it wants us to get zany! "Master Chief’s 'Meet the Parents', a Spartan high school reunion, or even break dancing to MC Hammer" are the suggestions thrown out there...

Has anybody ever successfully 'broke danced' to MC Hammer?

Traditional film, game footage, animation and fancy-pants computer-generated content are all welcome, they just have to be in by March 21st.

A winner from each European country will be picked by a panel of industry experts and will win an Xbox 360 and copy of Halo 3 (which, let's face it, if they're bothering to enter this competition they will probably already own). A winner among winners will then be picked from the European finals to be sent off to LA to study at the New York Film Academy for one month.

You can find out more and enter from January 31st here.

If you've not checked out one of Neill Blomkamp's Halo shorts yet, SPOnG highly recommends you cast your eyes this way. For more pics from Weta, click here.