Review: Though Darkon is an older documentary, I had already seen Monster Camp, and sorta expected more of the same. But, while I still would have appreciated another Monster Camp style movie, I was totally surprised and impressed with Darkon, which is in many ways heads and shoulders above most documentaries. The style of this documentary plays in many ways like Godfather 2- duel stories that some how seem to explain and develop each other. On one hand you have the fantasy story, played out int the minds of the players in the fantasy game, on the other hand you have the real life stories of the players- who never really leave the game. Unlike Monster Camp, directors Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer don’t just show the battles, they relive them. In many ways, the audience members aren’t spectators, they are participators during these scenes. The dark elves, truly creep you out (and they speak elfish!), the evil empire seems overpowering, and the rebel forces unwaveringly idealistic. By the end, as the camera wades through battle scenes, you’ll be wishing you were there with sword and shield in hand. The fantasies bleed into the real lives of the players, which most likely seem san accurate depiction of how the game plays out in the minds of participants. It’s amazing to see how any obsession maintains its grip on the individual. Even though every character claims to separate themselves from the game once it’s over, broken alliances in the fantasy develop rifts in real life relationships, single parents struggle to find care for their children while planning the next great battle and families watch as bimonthly weekend getaways separate them from loved ones. Let me be clear though, it’s not a depressing view of the fantasy world, but it is an honest one, highlighting both the pros and cons and how one world is not truly separated from the other. Unfortunately, this great duel premise is lost at times, cluttered by frivolous stories that add little to the theme at hand. This is probably only a slight tarnishing of the great idea both Neel and Meyer develop, but their failures stand out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the film. Of course, the success easily compensates for any mistakes. Whether it’s the camera work, the interviews, the unique story pitches, or the breathtaking (and original) musical score, you’ll find it hard to walk away unsatisfied. In fact, I’ll go ahead and claim that you may walk into the movie thinking about how nerdy and overally obsessed the players are, but you’ll walk away wondering where the nearest game is so you can join up. If you liked Monster Camp or King of Kong: A Fist Full of Quarters (and you know I did), then you’ll love Darkon. Review by Matthew Abshire Informative: 4- you won’t know the rules or how to join, but you’ll know what its like to possess their imagination Entertainment: 5- it’s just fun and even if you think these ‘players’ are nerdy, you’ll ponder joining their club Technical: 4- a very cool, unique approach is slightly tarnished when the directors break from their mold Overall: 4- at face value it’s similar to Monster Camp, but this documentary succeeds by taking a truly unique approach
 
Format: DVD Year: 2006 Running Time: 106 Min Distributor: SeeThink Films, Porchlight Entertainment Producer: Tom Davis, Christopher Kikis, Nicholas Levis, Ethan Palmer, Cherise Wolas Director: Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer Date Reviewed: 11-18-2008 Story: Ordinary folks trade in their street clothes for medieval costumes, faux weaponry and full-contact battles in Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer's documentary about Darkon, a group that acts out fantasy war games based on complex rules and customs. Neel and Meyer capture the drama as padded swords clash, armies advance and a ruler crosses the line, while off the battlefield, participants open up about what keeps them coming back for more (NetFlix).