Customer Reviews

The Gamers Dvd! Director's Cut

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dead Gentlemen Productions started life as a bunch of friends goofing around and making zero-budget movies for their own amusement. However, after the success of their first project, Demon Hunters, in 1999 they got slightly more ambitious for their second, The Gamers, which was released in 2002. The Gamers gained a sort-of sequel, Dorkness Rising, released last year, which was a quantum leap forward in quality.

Both films are based around fantasy roleplaying games and use the device of where we see the same actors sitting around the table and then acting out the actions of their characters in the game world. The Gamers has the players sent on a quest to dispatch their recurring nemesis, the Shadow, who has captured the Princess of the kingdom. As the party's adventure continues, more and more roleplaying tropes are explored: one member of the party accidentally killing another, the replacement character simply joining the party without any in-story explanation, another player not present due to having a girlfriend resulting in his character erratically appearing and disappearing and so on. There are some exceptionally funny moments here, such as the dangers unleashed when the game designers fail to specify what weapons can and cannot be used for sneak attacks, and the intelligent use of a wizard spell to maximise the enemy's vulnerabilities to another player's special weapon. There's also an ongoing subplot in which the neighbour trying to revise for an exam constantly interrupts the group to complain about the noise. Events culminate in the final showdown and a twist ending.

The Gamers (***) is fun. It was made with limited resources and many of the key roles are not filled by actors but clearly the production team and their friends. This actually adds to the amateurish charm of the film. The writing, directing and editing are strong, especially given the team's budgetary constraints, and anyone who's played a tabletop roleplaying game will recognise a lot of the ideas used in the piece. Overall, a funny and entertaining 45-minute film.

Come along and join an intrepid band of role playing gamers on a fantasy quest to save the fair maiden from the grasp of their mortal enemy, the Shadow. Your brave companions on this perilous journey will be: Mark the Red, Rogar (Barbarian), Nimble (Master Thief), Newmoon (Elven Archer) and Ambrose (Apprenice Mage). The trials and tribulations that lie ahead as revealed by the Game Master can only be overcome by careful deliberation and a favorable roll of the dice. Sounds like the perfect Friday nights entertainment doesn't it? Well, it is for these guys.

To be sure, 'The Gamers' is an amateur film comprised of amateur actors. In fact the cast is most likely comprised of real gamers playing themselves. Despite the lack of professional know how this film really works and is lots of fun for fantasy game players or those who just want to see a humorous depiction of what role playing is all about.

How do you rate a movie such as this? Well the usual rules don't apply. I judge it by it's uniqueness and wonderful nerd factor which in this particular case is a good thing!

Although an amateur film with an extremely low budget, there is no questioning the role-playing integrity of the writers. The hijinx and antics written into this film scream of personal experience and any role-player who has done his/her time will recognize the authenticity of this humor instantly. This is really the essence of the film. The picture and sound are often lackluster, but at the core of it all lies the unmistakable feeling that a bunch of gamers wanted to make a movie based on the ridiculous things that spontaneously popped up during their various adventures. If you too game, you will see the merit of this film. If not, this may not be the movie for you. Also, as this film has a sequel, it is most definitely worth seeing it just to see how far the Dead Gentlemen have come. "Dorkness Rising" has an -identical- core to this film although the plot, over-all writing, special effects, sound and camera work have vastly improved. The only un-excusable downside is that this is only 45 minutes long, making it a bit pricey.

If you have ever played RPGs or known someone who did, you will like this great little indie flick from Deadgentleman productions. These guys actually have several great flicks out including a sequel to The Gamers.

Hi!

I saw this version and thought... well some more stuff to laugh or smile. Scenes missing in the version I know and so I go ahead and bought it.

Well. There where no additional cuts some more "special effects" but nothing real new at all, beside the plenty "bonus" films.

At least the charm of the original film is still in place and the bonus stuff is nice to have so. Still one of the best funny films about this genre.

Cya

HD

I thoroughly enjoyed this dvd.

If you are not a gamer or do not know one, it probably won't be as enjoyable to you.

Lots of referential humor and some great sight gags.

One of the bonus cuts should have a strong language warning.