Video Game Nightmare 2

Videogame Nightmare 2
Directed by Mike Belfance and Justin Wawrzonek

When four years pass in between movies in the same series, it's always extremely difficult to capture the magic and spirit of the original, especially in the 3dmm community, where movies released early on start to take on a legendary status among fans -- VGN2 pulled it off like it was nothing. It has a sort of charm and innocence that make it more endearing than almost any other movie that's been released.

One of the most difficult things for any sequel is coming up with a premise that transcends just making a sequel for its own sake. The entire scope of this movie's premise is explained, examined, and critiqued in the first 90 seconds. Justin and Mike have wisely avoided trying to turn their star series into anything other than what it is; a clothesline for videogame jokes, stolen sound effects, running gags, and frequent stabs at their own dignity (whatever they may have left). Surprsingly perhaps to them most of all, the way these things work together and enhance each other in the finished film have actually made for one of the most watchable movies in 3dmm. Seriously; I've seen it about ten times.

One of the most fun aspects of the film is also the most dangerous one to attempt, especially in the 3dmm community; Justin and Mike pre-empt reviewer criticisms by providing their own running commentary on how bad the film is the whole way. Mike, the writer, turns to Justin, the animator, and says, "That's supposed to be Toad??" The Galaga Pilot feels strangely suspicious that he's just a throwaway character to tie up the 'sloppy subplot' and keep more that one main character on the screen when one of the others disappears for a while. There's even a neat moment when, flying through a stream of colors to their next videogame parody, Justin and Mike the characters wonder how much longer they'll have to put up with the poor pacing of Justin and Mike the directors: "How many of these stupid games do we have to go through, anyway?"

Usually when this kind of thing is attempted, it comes off either as false modesty for cheap laughs (when it's from a skilled director), or too close to the truth for the viewers (when it's in a film without much else to offer). But Videogame Nightmare 2 is simply too good-natured and endearing a comedy for it to be a detriment. Justin and Mike come off as the innocent-looking kid, grinning from ear to ear, who could get away with anything. It's a remarkably self-aware film at just the right moments, when you think they've gotten too self-indulgent for their own good ("Uh, Mike, the Matrix joke ended two minutes ago."). It's as if they're watching the movie along with you, laughing at their own badness, but repeatedly saying, "Dude, it'll be worth it. Keep watching."

If you were to look at the film on the critical level, refusing to give in and go along for an amazingly fun ride, there are several flaws that stick out (and a choice few that do even when you've been won over). The construction of the film is nothing mind-blowing, though there wasn't really anything that was painful to look at. Animation was never below the competent level, and I really enjoyed the way several things moved; The Lost World parody in the Pokemon sequence, the way Toad does the Nazi salute as he goes up the steps to the rocket, the way Yoshi swings the chainsaw, looks around, and says, "Groovy." The voice acting is a bit weak in a few places, but only because the directors are so in love with their jokes, which is not a bad thing (and especially not for this movie). And some scenes drag (by which I mean Bomberman, not Mario Party, which I'm apparently in the minority for genuinely enjoying and wishing it had gone on longer).

And there are moments that are just pure genius. The calculated use of default 3dmm sounds (the Ahh! sound, hearing the maniac/monster/baby laugh at bizarre moments) still cracks me up. The Mushroom Land Chainsaw Massacre has brilliant writing ("Right. So, Justin's dead. But if I just think of a plan..."). The elevator gag, which I wished had gone on for a few more floors. When the ship's computer starts singing "Daisy." When Justin and Mike use the ejection seats, which end up falling right back into the ship. And best of all, the music video sequence is practically destined to become one of the most memorable things from a 3dmm film, EVER. And not just because I did the Blaster Master clip near the end.

I could go on for hours, folks. Let them win you over and you'll have one of the most enjoyable experiences you've ever had with this program. This will be on my top five list for a long time, and is one of the rare movies I can sit down and watch beyond the second or third (or tenth!) time and still have a blast with.

Critical Score: 92/100.
Personal Score: 100/100.