Lloyd the Conqueror

There's something really amazing about watching a movie like this come out of a place like Texas North - it works, just like SLC Punk worked.

This movie is a funny, slightly uncomfortable look at the weekend warriors that hide their secret magical identities under a business suit five days a week. You may find that the LARPing rules used in the movie aren't accurate to your own experiences, but in making their own rules, they avoid poking fun at specific groups and make their own game truly unique. Frankly, I find their game rules much more fun. Don't let your inner pedant ruin the experience of this movie for you - just take it as a love song to the bizarre realm of LARPing.

If you've ever spent your weekend in the basement when you should have been outside, or been mocked by your friends for reading Dragonlance well into your late teens, you will relate. If you're a geek - any geek - give this film a watch. The humour is so honest and so down-to-earth that it's really enjoyable for anybody who loves a little fake magic in their lives.

Okay, first things first: do you hate movies that do not take themselves seriously? Do very silly situations make you cringe and walk away looking for the next WWII documentary?

If you answered yes to either of these questions walk away now and choose another film.

If however you enjoy tongue in cheek humour, larger than life caricatures and truly funny over the top situations, then this movie will not disappoint. I laughed out loud through much of this film.

This is an excellent first movie from Michael Peterson and features a very strong cast.

Lloyd the Conqueror is a good-natured, light-hearted comedy that pokes fun at the world of LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) without being mean-spirited or disrespectful to the real community of Larpers. Three underachieving college friends, Lloyd, Oswald and Patrick, (the well cast Evan Williams, Scott Patey and Jesse Reid) are forced into the world of LARPing to battle the evil and very experienced Derek (played to unlikeable perfection by Mike "Bubbles" Smith). To even the odds against them, the three young men enlist the aid of nerdy but lovable Andy (Brian Posehn) and strong-willed Cassandra (Tegan Moss). Throw in a rag-tag band of hardcore Larpers, both good and evil, a Centaur and a Unicorn and hilarity ensues! Kudos to writer Andrew Herman, writer, director and producer, Calgarian Mike Peterson and his producing partners, Robert Peterson, Rob Ohlson, Matt Kelly and Brendan Hunter (aka Klaus, one of the Larping Danes) who made this low budget independent film into "The little movie that could!". Lloyd the Conqueror is a feel good, laugh out loud film which I highly recommend. Go see it; you won't be disappointed!

I love a good comedy and I was lucky enough to catch Lloyd at the Calgary Film Fest. I laughed throughout the whole movie. Brian Posehn and Mike Scott are excellent as the White Wizard (Posehn) and Derek(Scott). You would never realize that "Derek" and Bubbles are one and the same. Harland Williams scene is hilarious too and a funny twist/addition to LARPing. The sound track is great. The band (can't remember their name) that covers Rush's Anthem is excellent. Plus, any movie that has a battle between a man dressed as a unicorn and a centaur has to be brilliant. I can't wait for this to be released so I can bring some of my buddies to it.

Lloyd the Conqueror takes three slacker students forced to compete in a local LAPRing tournament. This comedy may poke fun at LARPing but it most certainly laughs with (not at) the LARPing community.

By no means a high budget film it works well with the resources it had and put together a decent film of good quality, that even boasts some recognizable faces. The acting was decent and the dialogue was enjoyable.

I give this film a 6 out of 10 because it should in no way be compared to films like LOTR or the Godfather... but for a lower budget (Canadian; cough cough) comedy they did well. Give this film a shot and you will enjoy yourselves.