In Cullen Hoback's documentary Monster Camp, we examine the lives of several members of the Seattle chapter of NERO, the New England Role Playing Organization. The members participate in weekend long events every few months where they go into combat as a character of their choosing, or the game's choosing. There are humans, elves, trolls, and even something called a "Death Moth" that can eat your brain and control your mind.

NERO is essentially a culmination of Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, and any other role playing game (RPG) you can think of. There are PC's or player character, which are the people who chose to play as a character with a name, history, and special powers. There are also NPC's, or non player characters. These are the monsters, goblins, and other baddies that try to take down the PC's.

The group consists of several members, including some who travel hundreds of miles to take part in the huge event. Over the course of a weekend, members fight at all hours of the day and night, depending on what the plot members conjure up. The folks behind the scene take care of the monster costumes, plot lines, and schedules for the events. They are basically the gods of the game and what they say goes.

What I like about this film is that we are not shown the game from a specific angle or particular bias. We are shown the truth and nothing but the truth. For the majority of audience members, these people will seem like social misfits and nerdy outcasts. I see a group of people who share a common interest and an understanding for their desire to become someone else.

The film consists of mostly in field reporting during battles and the time in between. There is no narration but some some title cards fill in some information not told to us through the footage. It's nothing glamorous like a Michael Moore documentary, but it's still exciting nonetheless.

I found this to be a very enlightening film. It's not everyday that you get to see such a select group of people doing what they love; role playing. There are millions of people around the world that play games like World of Warcraft or Dungeons and Dragons, but only a handful of those play these games in real life. This is a light, informative, and nonjudgmental film. With a run-time of under 90 minutes, I think you all can spare the time to watch these people in their element.

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.

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.