Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie (2014)

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Wow, you're like the total reverse of me.

He's quite bland in the very early episodes, and sometimes he even sounds board. I get that the OTT swearing and anger can get annoying and redundant, but I prefer AVGN with genuine emotion and enthusiasm.

[TylerDurden389]

I thought the movie was alright. I'll wait till the price drops down though. Still haven't bought all the episode DVDs yet either.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

He's quite bland in the very early episodes, and sometimes he even sounds board. I get that the OTT swearing and anger can get annoying and redundant, but I prefer AVGN with genuine emotion and enthusiasm.

I disagree that he's bland. If you're talking the first episode that's understandable, but I don't consider those first two the very best the AVGN has to offer anyway. Up until about 2009 it was mostly great output IMO, and from there it became very hit or miss, some that were just ok. He's become less angry, the episodes have become boring and repetitive for the most part, and the swearing feels forced now. I feel he used to have that emotion and enthusiasm, that creative drive when he was making 2 a month. He was really passionate and it showed, it made for the best/funniest episodes. How long have you been a fan, if I may ask?

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I disagree that he's bland. If you're talking the first episode that's understandable, but I don't consider those first two the very best the AVGN has to offer anyway. Up until about 2009 it was mostly great output IMO, and from there it became very hit or miss, some that were just ok. He's become less angry, the episodes have become boring and repetitive for the most part, and the swearing feels forced now. I feel he used to have that emotion and enthusiasm, that creative drive when he was making 2 a month. He was really passionate and it showed, it made for the best/funniest episodes. How long have you been a fan, if I may ask?

I've been a fan since about 2010.

[Mike86]

I've been a fan of The Angry Video Game Nerd web series and James Rolfe in general since shortly after he started the Nerd series (I think I started watching them around 2008 or so). I haven't seen the film but would like to eventually and probably will purchase it at some point. Not sure if I'll pay $25 for it though. I still haven't gotten any of the individual volumes on DVD.

I think he's still pretty funny although admittedly over time I've started to like him more for his film reviews and the videos of him and Mike just hanging out playing games that aren't necessarily bad or discussing whatever.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

I've been a fan since about 2010.

Maybe you were drawn to his newer episodes at the time? And therefore like those better?

I got into AVGN when the Nintendo Power review came out, so late 2007.

[The Peanut Monkey]

I prefer the older, less elaborate videos in which James simply played and reacted. Even the (near) narration-only content was good. In my view the 'set pieces' of the later ones took a long time to produce (and thus, ultimately, so did the videos) and were unneeded garnish that took away from a (predominantly NES) games fan simply playing shitty games. Still, James always had designs on making a feature length movie so it's obvious why he took this approach when he got more and more creative (learned his craft, had better equipment and software, etc). Not my kind of thing, though, and the film was clearly not going to be, either.

I still watch the new episodes, but I like his movie reviews more (even though they're not in the AVGN guise) because they're more like the raw content of old.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by The Peanut Monkey

I prefer the older, less elaborate videos in which James simply played and reacted. Even the (near) narration-only content was good. In my view the 'set pieces' of the later ones took a long time to produce (and thus, ultimately, so did the videos) and were unneeded garnish that took away from a (predominantly NES) games fan simply playing shitty games. Still, James always had designs on making a feature length movie so it's obvious why he took this approach when he got more and more creative (learned his craft, had better equipment and software, etc). Not my kind of thing, though, and the film was clearly not going to be, either.

I still watch the new episodes, but I like his movie reviews more (even though they're not in the AVGN guise) because they're more like the raw content of old.

I guess it depends on what set pieces you mean, cause they started as early as Friday the 13th, and I liked that one, it was funny and added to the review. But, yeah, in general the writing was better early on. Now it just feels like a mish mash of the same complaints we've heard dozens of times. I wish he would progress to later consoles, focus more on Genesis, SNES, even the generation after that. That I feel would make it fresh again. I'm tired of the NES games.

[TylerDurden389]

Been a fan since '06 when he only had something like 5-6 eps made at the time. So I'm used to both the simple review styles and the big elaborate eps with SFX and other actors. Both have their pros and cons. Whoever does the animation for the effects obviously isn't as skilled as, say, Freddie Wong over at Rocketjump, but honestly the absurdity of most of what's going on in these videos stops me from really caring about how good the effects are. As for the movie, I knew going in there were gonna be a lot of really obvious "effects" with miniatures and stuff so again it didn't bother me.

As for the future of AVGN, honestly, this guy puts out so much more content that I really don't care what he does with this character. I actually prefer and usually end up re-watching most of his movie reviews where he's just himself. He had started a podcast with his wife where they talk about a band's entire discography, but I think they only did 2 episodes. So I'm kinda bummed we haven't gotten more of that. As a fan of hard rock and heavy metal I would love to hear his thoughts on other bands to.

Honestly I think I'm getting more enjoyment outta his "James and Mike Mondays" videos more lately.

[jlk5844]

Yeah it feels like he should stick to normal movie reviews and game reviews.

[insomniac013]

I'm a fan since 08, but I might wait for a price drop and watch the film first.

[RudyC]

i just saw the first half hour and got bored....guess ill finish it later on tonight.

[MomentsAgo]

I've been watching James' videos since about 2006. I have thoroughly enjoyed them throughout the years and I think he's a very talented filmmaker and you can tell he genuinely loves what he's doing.

Yes, there have been ups and downs in the quality of the AVGN episodes over the years but I think with all things considered, they still manage to remain entertaining. At least to me.

I can understand the set pieces and effects being distracting to some people and how you might prefer the simpler episodes, and that's cool. I personally enjoy both types of episodes. And really, it all comes down to James wanting to stretch his creative legs and the AVGN affords him the opportunity to do so. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. But I think the series overall remains great. But that's just my personal opinion.

The movie was a little different from how I thought it might be, but I think it was great for as ambitious as it was. I was impressed with what they were able to accomplish with the budget they had.

I donated to the Indie Go-Go fundraiser, I paid to rent it and I'll be buying this bluray shortly. I will continue to support James in his creative endeavors when I can. I enjoy what he does and I think he's got a good future ahead of him and I look forward to his future projects.

[jlk5844]

Ironically the best part of the movie was the set pieces and effects, that climax with Death Mwauthzyx, which was impressive.

As for the show, to sum it up, I think it's like any good show that's gone on for too long, and I'll leave it at that.

I've supported James for quite awhile whether it be through DVDs, donating on Indiegogo, buying some AVGN/Cinemassacre memorabilia on eBay, or just simply visiting the site daily (used to be that way years ago) and watching the videos. He's put out some great content, and I look forward to more short films of his and future Monster Madness marathons. I'll have to watch the James & Mike Mondays stuff.

[likemarsen]

So I got my copy of the movie in on bluray today...

I don't review movies, but I do have a few notes on some concerns we had...

The extras are listed at being in 720p (while the movie is 1080p)...these extras look to be highly compressed. The compression seems relative in that they still look good for what is supposed to be good source material (like the Nostalgia Critic review), however, even that gets a bit pixelated on my 60" plasma TV...

The 1st few minutes of the movie that I saw looks a little crushed as well...still looks good for an independent movie, but definitely shows some compression artifacts...

And I did scroll to the credits and saw my name in the Contributors parts of the scroll, so a personal win for me I guess...

[Blu-21]

Would have storing the extras on its own disc been too expensive?

[motorheadache95]

I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I saw it at a theater with a room full of fans laughing and cheering, so my experience is probably a bit colored.

I mostly agree with jlk5844 about his AVGN videos over the last few years-- they are a bit more hit and miss and his comments/swearing is more forced. His best stuff IMO was when he would get really pissed and go off on something-- one of my favorites is when he reviews the Zelda CD-I games.

I'm definitely picking up the Blu-Ray-- it'll be interesting to watch again to get a better perspective on it, plus I want to support James. I've never bought any of the DVD sets (I hear he has to edit some of the episodes for copyright reasons) but I revisit his videos from time to time on his youtube channel.

[MomentsAgo]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I've never bought any of the DVD sets (I hear he has to edit some of the episodes for copyright reasons) but I revisit his videos from time to time on his youtube channel.

He edits out any footage from movies or tv shows, which is obviously understandable. I have the first two sets(REALLY need to catch up on them) and honestly, it's not distracting at all. You would never know they were edited if you'd never seen them before.

Interestingly enough, I'm guessing at some point, he got in trouble over the coverart for his Volume 2 set. The one I have has an illustration of James with his nerd shit unbuttoned revealing a black t-shirt with the Ghostbusters logo on it. And next to him on a table is the Ecto-1 toy. All of the versions I've seen since purchasing mine have the artwork changed and now his shirt is buttoned and the Ecto-1 is gone.

[likemarsen]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

Would have storing the extras on its own disc been too expensive?

Maybe, but for $25, a 2-disc set would've been easier to swallow...

[TylerDurden389]

That copyright problem was only an issue early on. After the 2nd season or so he made sure to not use movie footage or licensed songs. I always get a chuckle outta the songs he uses that sound like porno parody songsof whatever theme he wants to use (ex: Superman theme) when they keep the melody the same but change some of the notes lol.