Monster Camp (2007) Reviews

• A deep and engaging look into an emerging subculture of those immersed in fantasy

  BiggestLebowski2007-03-23

  Monster Camp is the most entertaining documentary I have ever seen. It is the true story of those who have decided to abandon what society deems a "normal life" in exchange for the opportunity to exist in a fantastical world created solely for their pleasure. While this may appear to be something that a film maker could easily choose to mock or ridicule. It is not so with Monster Camp. The director has done a fantastic job at being even handed with his portrayal of this unique individuals. Although the comical side of this alternate reality is every present, it is hardly judgemental. Judgement, it would seem is left to the viewer. As is the case with any good documentary. It was also surprising to see such raw emotions presented so clearly in a world such a live action role playing. The many characters all feel incredibly strong connections to the lives they have created for themselves, and their love of the game is evident. In fact, their love borders on obsession. Still, the film lets you decide if this is a bad thing. It is a well made film all around and is highly enjoyable.

• As a member of NERO Seattle when this was shot...

  hungrydragon882008-10-12

  So I was also a participant in this documentary when it was shot, and I've played at a few different chapters across the country. Actually, when I saw the film I was surprised at how even-handed it actually was. There's a lot of drama queens that LARP, and there's no way any film made about a NERO chapter would have appealed to all of them. I mean, there's so much drama in the NERO universe that there's controversy over who started NERO in the first place. Some of my family members have watched this movie and now finally have a grasp on what it is I actually do with some of my weekends. More importantly, they came away from the film with a greater sense of understanding. Another NERO member said that the lizard guys in the photo quit shortly after shooting, which is true. To that point, oddball types float in and out of the game all of the time, and they usually play the monsters who don't know the rules well. The film covered the die-hards and the more pathetic participants (even though they really do get a chance to speak for themselves). NERO is a community. It attracts all types. Sure the film doesn't follow the in-game plot; but come on fellow Larpers, that stuff is only interesting to us. This film seems to have been crafted to appeal to people besides just us. It focuses on real drama that comes with trying to make our fantasy work! That's probably why it was more than just another you tube video showing people hitting each other with padded weapons. Of the characters profiled in the film, I knew about 40% of them. While they are more complex than the film reveals, I didn't think that they were misrepresented. I thought it did a better job at providing an even-handed perspective for them than King of Kong did for Billy Mitchell. Additionally, those I have talked to who were in the film by and large were satisfied with how they were portrayed. I'm glad I was documented in this project. If nothing else, I'd say watch it and see for yourself.

• The triumph of the costumed soul

  brianorndorf2008-06-12

  Monster Camp For some, fantasy is a place to go when the real world is too much to stomach. It's a temporary portal to other worlds where identity can be rebuilt and victory is within reach. For others, fantasy is a requirement; a critical linchpin that removes real-world consequences and demands, and allows insular behavior to grow unchallenged by outsiders. There's a home for these people, and it's called LARP (live action role-playing). "Monster Camp" is a documentary taking a look at the Seattle NERO (New England Role-Playing Organization) outfit and their struggle to put on a show during the cold winter months of 2006. For these individuals, NERO represents the great release of pent up frustrations, a chance to fly their geek flag proudly, and offers a few of the participants a comfortable place to meet like-minded souls who also enjoy dressing up in homemade costumes, strapping on a plastic sword, and slaughtering monsters, not with might, but with incredible math skills. Ruled by NERO overlord Shane, "Camp" observes the elaborate preparation it takes to assemble an extended weekend of live-action Dungeons & Dragons. Fueled by two Denny's breakfast plates, Shane embarks on this particular NERO weekend with a heavy heart, as he holds a secret he won't share with the group or the camera until the last day. For him, NERO is a great outlet for all things nerdly, but it's a tiring, thankless job that doesn't allow for much sleep or satisfaction. For Shane, this NERO weekend could be his last. So how's this game played? The rule book is 200 pages long and requires a sizable cast of newcomers willing to play demons and assorted fantasy villain archetypes. Following a "plot," the heroes and creatures scatter over a large park area and occasionally battle each other swinging foam weapons and flinging "spells" (birdseed wrapped in cloth). When face-painted enemies make contact during battle, they yell out their hits and mentally add up the damage points inflicted, leaving life or death in the hands of fair play. With a cast of gypsies, warlocks, lizards, evil plant life, and goblins, anything can happen during game play, and often does. "Camp" is overwhelmingly sympathetic to NERO and the participants. Director Cullen Hoback doesn't mock the players, allowing his camera to observe, placing the burden of judgment in the lap of the audience. It's a confident directorial piece in what amounts to be a spellbinding documentary of unique perspective. Sure, I giggled when the more socially-awkward players trotted around their inner-dork, but "Camp" is far more compassionate and understanding than it initially looks, and I quickly grew invested in these strange souls as they battled dragons and their sense of self. "World of Warcraft," the sprawling online fantasy game, is the constant theme of obsession throughout "Camp." Hoback returns to it time and again, singling it out as methadone for the players; the opportunity to continue living inside a dream world while NERO takes a break. There are no Leeroy Jenkins mimics here, only WOW addicts who pass on the finer points of life to continue their adventures online. It's a little scary. I prefer my geeks hustling around a state park with blankets for capes and clutching refurbished He-Man swords, not atrophying in front of a computer. "Monster Camp" is an absolute treat, unveiling a pastime few outside the elf realm have seen before. The documentary treats the subject matter with respect, leading with observation, not judgment; it offers an unflinching look at the politics, sexual dynamics, and spine-snapping stress a weekend of role-playing brings to these players and it does so with constant entertainment and educational value. --- 9/10

• This movie wasn't a monster hit. Still, it was an interesting documentary.

  ironhorse_iv2015-11-21

  Although, this documentary movie directed by Cullen Hoback isn't as complex and as good as his other film, 2013's Terms and Conditions May Apply; it still shows how much hard work for the participants & collaborators enthusiasts to developed a complicated world to bring their ideas fantasies to life. Also, while I'm not the biggest fantasy fan, I do find the concept of live-action-role-playing games or LARPING, somewhat interesting. It looks worthy to partake. Indeed, it's looks like it's time to slay some normalcy! Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, that one of the appeals of this film to me, is how the Seattle, Washington chapter of NERO Alliance (New England Role Player Alliance), now known as Alliance LARP, allows their players to create their own identities selecting from a variety of races and classes, similar to other role-playing fantasy games, like Dungeons and Dragons. Participants dress up and are involved as either player characters, non-player character, or plot members. It's here, that they gather themselves up for events such as Monster Camp to play out their fantasies for the sake of escapism. It's nice to hear, how real friendship and relationships can be forged between the participants; but it's also sad to hear, that some people take it, way too serious to the point, that they have literally no personal life or destroying what's left of it. I think, the most disturbing part of the film, is when one of the participants is ignoring and abandoning his child to make these type of games, his obsession. That's horrible! Watching it, remind me of 2006's other LARP documentary, Darkon. However, the movie never goes way too dark or political like Darkon; instead, showing more of the good side of Live-Action-Role-Playing. Yes, there were lots of scenes of people going through intense stress, due to complex rules and time, guidelines; but the majority of what shown, looks fun for the most part. Still, a part of me, would had, love to see one of them, have a serious mental breakdown, because how much, time it takes, and how it doesn't allow for much sleep or satisfaction. Indeed, it really looks like a thankless job. I would love, to see the film tackle some serious issues such as Fantasy prone personality disorder or maladaptive daydreaming, through some of these people. Regardless, it wasn't a big deal, because the simpleton nature of the film, even if it's a bit dull at times was alright with me. At least, they didn't presented it, in a way that looks like, they were mocking or ridicule, these people are, what they were doing. There was no bias opinion from the filmmakers. They show the good side and the bad side of people. Honestly, some of these people, they shown, seem very normal people to me. However, there were some things, I thought, the movie could had done better, like focusing more on the people that been doing it for years, rather than ones that been doing it for a year or two. The movie really wasted time, interviewing certain people that had little to do, with Seattle Chapter of Alliance LARP success. Even those older gamers, who they spotlight. They really didn't spent, too much time on them. It sucks that film doesn't show any previous years of Monster Camp, through archive footage or photos. It's a bit jarring for the audience, to have people such as Shane Macomber, talks about one year having a cool Dragon costume for Monster Camp, and not being able to show it on the film. Clearly, it would had been nice to see, what it once looks like. Another thing, since the game had very complex rules and fantasy elements; why didn't the filmmakers add, some subtitles or a narration on certain scenes. I was really confused, on what's going on, in certain areas of the film. Nonetheless, the worst thing about this film is how much the film serve as an advertisement for the World of Warcraft game! Gees, the film makes it, seem like anybody interested in fantasy should, buy that game. I thought, this movie was, about LARP, not W.O.W, Hoback!!! The movie somewhat lose focus, there, when they started to interview people on how much World of Warcraft, they played. Some of them, were really disturbing, like the guy who plays 40 hours, a week. WOW, get off of W.O.W, (World of Warcraft) dude! Still, the movie is funny and engaging enough, to watch, pass through those certain scenes. With a run-time of under 90 minutes, the movie was well-paced. Overall: This insight look at an emerging subculture of those immersed in fantasy was well-worth watching. In my opinion, anybody interested in Society for Creative Anachronism, Renaissance Fairs, or Massive Multiplayer Online RPG games, should check this movie out. Indeed, Be All That You Can't Be!

• Escape your own life...and enter into something better.

  LCWGringoLoco2007-03-07

  Director Cullen Hoback dives into the world of live-action roleplaying. In Seattle, a group of young men and women gather every year to live out their fantasy-based fantasies. They dress up as warriors and monsters and re-enact battles based on World of Warcraft. The group, known as NERO (New England Roleplaying Organization), follows the rules outlined in their 184-page rulebook. Throwing packets of birdseed (which they use as spells to cast) and hitting one another with padded swords, the players spend 48 consecutive hours as their characters. Hoback's film does a wonderful job of being informative about the NERO culture, while at the same time, telling the stories of quite a large amount of participants. An important note: the film does not make fun of these people. While it might have been easy to make a film at their expense, Hoback does not do this. The themes of this film are companionship, escapism, and most importantly, imagination. Monster Camp is extremely entertaining. If you get a chance to watch it, do yourself the favor and get some friends together one night and check it out.