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Rated: 5.00/5 | Votes: 1 | Views: 37 |Submitted: 09/04/08

Monster Camp is a documentary by Cullen Hoback which takes viewers into the lives of people who participate in live action role playing games. Specifically this movie follows a group that comes together at a place dubbed “Monster Camp” to play a game referred to as NERO. The game has many chapters of fans around the world that play it, however, this documentary focuses on the Seattle chapter.

The events in the movie take place over a weekend, with players of the fantasy game going into character almost fully for that entire period of time. Many of them do not even sleep because they are too busy doing battle. The filmmakers behind this story do not approach the subject in a way that makes fun of these game players, but rather brings you to their world on terms that help you identify with them in some ways. In fact, you probably know, or have known people like the ones showcased. These are people who may not have fulfilling lives outside of fantasy, but at the same time if you pick this up to mock them or have a good laugh at the expense of some geeks you may be the one living in a fantasy world. This crazy, silly stuff: is as real as it gets.

Now, having gotten that little blurb of positive kindness out of the way let me get down to the entertainment value of Monster Camp: fun and interesting. Watch grown men dress up as undead lizards and walk around the woods whacking other grown men and children alike with fake swords, all the while yelling out the amount of damage their possibly magical blades have inflicted. If you thought role playing was just simple mindless fun, this goes to show you that there is actually a lot of planning and intelligence involved with trying to not only pull it off, but to play in the game. Players must basically memorize a 200 page rule book and all of the spells and moves they wish to use, much of which corresponds with mathematics and having to add and subtract in the middle of staged sword battles.  How do they cast a spell you may wonder? Spells are represented by homemade colored bags filled with bird seed that they throw at each other. For example a red bag might be a fire spell.

Monster Camp not only takes you into the personal lives of these players, but also into the personal lives of those constructing the events. Watch as the drama unfolds with the Nero staff being shirt handed and having to “plot” the games and keep the gamers happy; yes, the gamers pay to be there. You get both the emotional and technical side of things with a brief glimpse and discussion into the what drives a gaming addict, whether it be live action such as this, Dungeons and Dragons, or video games.

Monster Camp is an excellent little movie that is worth checking out whether you are familiar with and a fan of NERO or just wanting to observe some “weirdos.”

Reviewer: Wes Laurie

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