Uber Goober (2003)
This documentary looks at the practitioners
of what could possibly be the most misunderstood pop
culture phenomenon of the late 20th/early 21st century.
Nope it isn't "Star Wars" fans or "Star Trek" Trekkers
or Grunge rockers or even Carrot Top groupies. "Uber
Goober" looks at "gamers." We're not talking about
the lovers of Parker Brothers' games, X-Box fanatics
or even gin rummy players, but rather those goofy
folks who play "Dungeons and Dragons" and card games
like "Magic" and who dress up like characters out
of "Lord of the Rings." Yep, those kinds of "gamers."
There's a lot of ground to cover here and "Uber Goober"
provides a hit-and-miss look at the "lifestyle" in
what is often a gently humorous manner.
The film, during its 90-minute-plus
run time, shows us many tangents to the main theme
here. Most notable at first are the gamers who deal
with miniature sets and action figures. Often these
gamers utilize several minuscule props to enact battle
scenes, oft times historical ones, and create a fantasy
situation which can then be "acted out" on a small
scale. While much time is spent on this kind of "play"
we never really discover the history of this type
of gaming, where and why it is somewhat popular, or
how one might find others interested in this type
of game playing.
An offshoot of this seems to be
the games that are most similar to Dungeons and Dragons.
These games feature an "acting out" and discussion
of similar fantasy situations. But more often these
are in the realm of "Fantasy" fiction with mystical
creatures and characters being the predominant characters
in the game, rather than soldiers. While D&D is the
most well-known of these games, since it was the first
to receive worldwide recognition, there are literally
hundreds of similar games. Here, the film seems to
accept that the audience is familiar with some of
these games and how they are played. Not much time
is spent discussing exactly how they work but a short
interview with the creator of D&D is interesting.
And finally there is the "live action
role playing" games. Practitioners of these games
are often called LARP's in a mocking tone by other
gamers. While these individuals are often looked down
upon and ridiculed by other gamers, they do indeed
belong within the hierarchy of this subculture. The
most delightful scene in the film features LARP's
at play in a park, dressed in odd costumes and using
foam rubber swords and batons to fight one and other.
It looks goofy as hell but also seems like it would
be enormous fun. While not as serious as the other
games perhaps, this was the most appealing and enjoyable
of all of the situations involving gamers presented
in the film.
Fortunately, "Uber Goober" is slanted
towards the subjects of the documentary, so this isn't
one of those "look at the geeks" type affairs where
the principal characters are made fun of and belittled.
Filmmaker Steve Metze allows his "gamers" here to
speak their mind, show their interests (and lifestyles)
and make fun of themselves in healthy self- ridicule.
It's difficult not to see them as innocuous, fun-
loving, normal folks. And that, at its heart, is the
beauty of this film. It is, in many ways, a celebration
of the life and lifestyles surrounding gaming and
gamers. It is a loving tribute to geeks and outsiders.
(And for those who like geeky, dorky guys - and girls
- it's full of hotties as well).
Granted, not everyone is in favor
of this "lifestyle choice." Anyone who was a teenager
in the 80's remembers the persecution and derision
gamers endured, especially those involved in the archetypical
game Dungeons and Dragons, when Satanism and suicide
were linked to the game. This link mainly existed
in the minds of the religious right and was exploited
by the media when a young man once involved in the
game committed suicide. Metze spends much of the film
discussing this case and allowing those who oppose
games and gamers to speak their mind about their concerns.
But here, the film falls short as Metze DOES hold
these people, the anti-gamers, up to ridicule and
allows them to appear ignorant, goofy and ridiculous.
Metze does not seek out anyone with a serious mental
health perspective to discuss the positive or negative
aspects of the situation. We are left therefore with
a overly simple and none-too-serious perspective of
the complex issues involving the "players" psyche
and mental well-being even though Metze devotes at
least a third of the film to this issue.
"Uber Goober" uses interviews with
gamers to help explain much of the culture. Some of
these are done in silhouette which adds to the delightful
and gentle self-mocking tone of the film. We certainly
enjoy listening to most of these people talk about
something they love and also easily identify with
them. While dorky and definite outsiders, they are
also intelligent, articulate and witty. One of the
most entertaining moments in the film comes when The
Great Luke Ski, a gamer/rapper who reworks familiar
songs into odes to the lifestyle, is allowed to entertain
us. Another hilarious moment has a silhouetted interviewee
discussing "outing" other gamers, obviously spoofing
gay culture. The subject even admits jokingly he has
really good "game-dar."
In addition to the perspectives
of the players, the film also features many interviews
with those involved with the manufacturing and marketing
of the games and their components.
Metze also interviews average folk
on the street (granted, these are mainly drunken idiots
on Austin's notorious 6th Street) to show modern culture's
reaction to the lifestyle as well as the anti-gamers
and religious zealots. But perhaps the most interesting
and insightful "reaction" perspective comes from the
pop culture media itself. Metze includes clips from
a few TV shows like "Buffy," "The X-Files," "SNL,"
and "The Simpsons" which relate to his topic. And
his inclusion of clips from the 1982 made-for-TV "Mazes
and Monsters" (starring a young Tom Hanks) shows us
just how persecuted gamers have been by the culture
at large.
For what its worth, I played a little
D&D when I was a teenager and I've always found that
the sub-culture seemed to be a good thing. This is
a cultural phenomenon that brings many people, especially
young people, who might otherwise be alone and bored
(and perhaps even somewhat depressed) and introduces
them into a social situation that allows them interaction
with peers. This also allows them to engage in situations
which probably help them to hone both social skills
and problem solving techniques. What could be the
harm in this?
Suggesting that it "could" be psychologically
damaging and cause teenagers to evolve anti-social
behavior is about as foolish as suggesting that if
you let teenagers drive, they are going to go out
and purposefully run down pedestrians. Sure, one in
a gazillion might do exactly that but isn't that a
small price to pay for the huge benefits of exposing
teenagers to what is mainly a positive and favorable
cultural situation?
"Uber Goober" is a fun and interesting
documentary even if it seems a bit shallow and one-sided
at times. Metze certainly doesn't break any new ground
structurally or cinematically, but he does seem to
be the first to be wise enough to present this particular
sub-culture in a documentary. And while the film may
not convert any of the masses to being game players
or to appreciating them, it does allow those already
involved in "the life" to be celebrated in loving
tribute.
Near the end of the film, several
of those interviewed are asked to describe themselves
in one or two word. In the midst of the repetitious
answers of "geek" and "gamer," one young man stood
tall and proud and summed up his personality in no
uncertain terms:
"Dreamer."
Note:
Filmed in Austin. Many of the game
players and gaming conventions featured here also
take place in Austin. Metze is a UT professor.
The cinematography is quite nice.
Even though the film was shot on mini-DV, it looks
much better than most films using that format.
The song "Amazing Grace" is used
for ironic effect near the end of the film. Songs
by The Great Luke Ski are also used.
Viewed in Austin in November, 2003,
at a sneak preview during the Millennium 6 Gaming
Convention at the Red Lion Inn. Metze was in attendance
as were a few of the folks interviewed in the film.
I saw a couple of friends that used to be screeners
with me at the Austin Film Festival.
There were some technical difficulties
during the last third of the film at the screening
but they didn't really keep me from understanding
or appreciating the film.
