Southern Oracle
Explorer
Hello everyone, I just got The Gamers dvd in the mail today and wanted to share my thoughts about it. While there's not really a plot to spoil, some people don't like to see a movie after they've heard all about it, so please disregard this thread if you want to watch it with no foreknowledge whatsoever.
The Short Version:
I loved it. It's a bit pricey, but definitely entertaining.
The Long Version:
The Gamers is not a professional movie, but it is creative and entertaining for what it is. At $18 (US) for only 48 minutes, it is pricey; however, the dvd has loads of extras that extend your viewing pleasure. There are commentary tracks (one by Monte Cook!), outtakes, featurettes discussing various aspects of making the movie, and more. Don't let the beginning credits (which are sized too big for the screen and are cut off on either side) put you off...there are no problems viewing the movie proper. Now, onto the action!
The basic premise is a group of college-age guys playing an RPG session during finals week, disturbing their fellow students with their rowdiness and enthusiasm. The movie cleverly alternates between scenes of the players at the gaming table and scenes of the characters (also the players) in the fantasy setting. An effort was made to distinguish the players from their characters by making the players overtly "geeky" with glasses, odd clothes (what's up with that hat?), and scraggly facial hair. In contrast, the characters seem the epitome of their stereotypical classes...the muscled barbarian, dark rogue, studious wizard, and elven ranger with abnormally large ears (and a fighter-type whose player doesn't usually show up).
The gaming cliches are what make this movie so amusing. The players can't remember where the last session left off. One of the players isn't there, so his character stands around doing nothing. The barbarian keeps trying to do "barbarian" things like chugging dwarven ale and ripping portcullises off the front of castles, but keeps failing his die rolls. The rogue keeps making outlandish rolls for pickpocket and sneak attack attempts. One player is a rules lawyer that argues with the DM over every little point. The list goes on.
The actors are fairly good. The DM is rather quiet (I don't know if they didn't have him miked or what, but you have to concentrate to hear when he speaks in relation to the players) and the special effects are obviously low-budget, but that's to be expected. The ending is a twist I didn't much like, but I realize simply having the players say good night and leave the table wouldn't suffice...you need a "zinger" to make an impression.
Overall I give The Gamers two thumbs up. I enjoy the genre (of course) and I appreciate all the jokes, as I've had the same experiences in the 21 years I've played D&D. However, the movie would be considered absolute drivel by someone with no prior gaming experience/exposure, so I don't recommend it for beginning gamers or as an introduction to gaming itself.
Has anyone else seen it? What do you all think?
The Short Version:
I loved it. It's a bit pricey, but definitely entertaining.
The Long Version:
The Gamers is not a professional movie, but it is creative and entertaining for what it is. At $18 (US) for only 48 minutes, it is pricey; however, the dvd has loads of extras that extend your viewing pleasure. There are commentary tracks (one by Monte Cook!), outtakes, featurettes discussing various aspects of making the movie, and more. Don't let the beginning credits (which are sized too big for the screen and are cut off on either side) put you off...there are no problems viewing the movie proper. Now, onto the action!
The basic premise is a group of college-age guys playing an RPG session during finals week, disturbing their fellow students with their rowdiness and enthusiasm. The movie cleverly alternates between scenes of the players at the gaming table and scenes of the characters (also the players) in the fantasy setting. An effort was made to distinguish the players from their characters by making the players overtly "geeky" with glasses, odd clothes (what's up with that hat?), and scraggly facial hair. In contrast, the characters seem the epitome of their stereotypical classes...the muscled barbarian, dark rogue, studious wizard, and elven ranger with abnormally large ears (and a fighter-type whose player doesn't usually show up).
The gaming cliches are what make this movie so amusing. The players can't remember where the last session left off. One of the players isn't there, so his character stands around doing nothing. The barbarian keeps trying to do "barbarian" things like chugging dwarven ale and ripping portcullises off the front of castles, but keeps failing his die rolls. The rogue keeps making outlandish rolls for pickpocket and sneak attack attempts. One player is a rules lawyer that argues with the DM over every little point. The list goes on.
The actors are fairly good. The DM is rather quiet (I don't know if they didn't have him miked or what, but you have to concentrate to hear when he speaks in relation to the players) and the special effects are obviously low-budget, but that's to be expected. The ending is a twist I didn't much like, but I realize simply having the players say good night and leave the table wouldn't suffice...you need a "zinger" to make an impression.
Overall I give The Gamers two thumbs up. I enjoy the genre (of course) and I appreciate all the jokes, as I've had the same experiences in the 21 years I've played D&D. However, the movie would be considered absolute drivel by someone with no prior gaming experience/exposure, so I don't recommend it for beginning gamers or as an introduction to gaming itself.
Has anyone else seen it? What do you all think?
