GamerZ

On one level GamerZ follows a group of people for whom reality has two meanings: Their own persona, and that of their role-play game character. The film slowly twists one persona into the other - both on screen and in the mind of the viewer. Ultimately it blurs the line between genius and insanity, fantasy and reality, in quite a thought-provoking way.

At a second level, it attempts to create interesting dialogue between characters that are socially inept outcasts, whose prime activity is sitting round a table rolling dice. This could have created a very boring script indeed, but with a few exceptions, it doesn't. Instead GamerZ revels in its freedom to jump from the horrific to the sublime, from the lucid to the inane. Often in the same shot. The failure of the characters to interact 'normally' makes some exceptional comedy. Unfortunately GamerZ's screenplay is weakened by its meagre special effects budget. While attempts to convey 'in-game' actions using silhouettes almost work, there are a few moments when the cardboard cutouts on screen seek only to remind the viewer that Hollywood would never make a movie like this.

Down at level three GamerZ is underscored by some quite familiar themes of love, envy and growing maturity; not to mention fetishes, joyriding, and a few other things. These themes meld well with the earlier levels, but probably won't hold the film together on their own.

I suspect that if you find yourself stuck at level 3 of the dungeon, you'll walk out disappointed. This film isn't for everyone. But open your mind a little and GamerZ achieves something quite rare. It entertains and challenges. And it does both in a quite unexpected way.

What a fantastic movie! Great characters you can't help but love, a quirky upbeat soundtrack and 100 minutes of pure fun! You really go on the journey with these characters and are excited by their relationships and antics. Excellent performances, fantastic cinematography and loads of laughs (fabulous writing and direction). GamerZ shows the comic side of Gaming and has characters everyone will recognise. Dungeons and Dragons took itself too seriously - this takes us back to the fun element of role-playing games and you really get involved with the game young Ralph has created. This is a film for everyone, we all know these people and it's interesting to see how a single interest can connect such different people. They may well be pariahs but you can't help but like them. Although the film is set in Glasgow it could be anywhere, any university campus with any group of people with a single interest. It's truly a universal film. There are some fabulous comedy moments which really do have you laughing out loud. I urge everyone to see this film. You don't have to have been a Gamer to enjoy this film, I'm not and I loved it. Give us more, Pure Magic Films - PLEASE!

I saw this at a game convention in Annaheim, southern California. Had to see good old Glasgow, but I was wondering whether the Californians would need subtitles. To my amazement they were all laughing and having a great time, and people told me afterwards that the dialect wasn't a problem for them because it was about being a human being and that communicated itself directly, and being gamers, they were all seeing themselves and the people they knew on the screen, so a great time was had by all. I thought the fantasy sequences were surprisingly hauntingly beautiful too. The lead actor has such a great face and he puts it and those eyes to good use! Hope this piece of Glasgow spreads further. I wonder how it would go down in Tokyo?

OK, I've just been at the premiere, and I know one of the cast members, and my ticket got me free beer, but this is a great little film. As somebody who came to university in Glasgow and found outlets for my more esoteric habits I found myself nodding and laughing redolently at many points, although I should add that I was never into the fantasy role playing contained herein. I fear this subject matter may put some people off, but the film is about so much more than that- it's a refreshing look at young folk in Glasgow that avoids so many of the usual clichés, while it perfectly addresses the myriad people one meets in the city, and the culture shock. I could pick a couple of points in the script which could have done with more development and resolution, but ultimately this is exactly the kind of film Scotland should be producing, and I'm shocked that it hasn't received more media attention here.

That said, how can you turn left outside the G.U.U. and find yourself outside the reading room? You'd need to turn right! God, I hate myself.

GamerZ is the sort of movie that could only come from a country like Scotland, and only from a city like Glasgow. The movie is, simply put, one of the freshest comedies to emerge from this isle for as long as I can remember. From the innovative 'shadowplay' to bizarre, wonderful characterisation, the movie manages to carry off a wonderful sense of involvement on what must be a meagre budget.

On first glance, the movie may seem to be pushing at the 'weirdness' card a bit too much. A cynic may look to point at the possibility of caricature in some of the characters, or even the plot itself, which almost seems orchestrated to produce as much overly bizarre humour as possible. But that's kind of missing the point. GamerZ is not some Loachian social melodrama, nor is it a Coen Brothers-style exercise in complex, surreal comedy. GamerZ carves its own niche, thanks to an involving script and the deftly-handled direction. Whilst it's not complex in the sense of deep philosophical themes, or complex social issues, it finds its own distinctive, immersing style- and gleefully runs with it until you can't help but fall in love.

Maybe i'm biased. I live in Glasgow and attend the University where GamerZ is set- heck, i'm even a member of a similar society. Even so, I would urge everyone to see GamerZ- despite the setting being very specific, the inventiveness and hilariousness of the film ensures that even those who've never seen six-sided dice (or couldn't pick out Scotland on a world map) are nigh-on guaranteed to be choking on their popcorn and quoting chunks of dialogue for days afterwards.

'Pure Magic' has never been such an appropriate tag-line.