I found LARP the Movie appealing because of its depiction of live-action role playing in real life; the characters in the film are shown enjoying themselves as they participate in it. I also enjoyed the friendship between the main character Sergiusz and his friends Damon, Kostka and Goliat, in spite of all the challenges they face together.
This is a coming-of-age story starring Filip Zareba as Sergiusz, a teenager whose favorite pastime is LARP (live action role play) with his friends, as he faces the challenges of growing up and following in love for the first time. The films follow Sergiusz as he addresses issues with his family, confronts his insecurities and overcomes his fears.
This is a lighthearted comedy with a few serious dramatic moments and shows a teenager dealing with personal challenges. Viewers may relate to the issues Sergiusz faces when discussing his hobby, LARP, with his family, who treat it as childish. Sergiusz' family's response to his hobby is something that most teenagers can relate to. Audiences may enjoy the LARP scenes, as it shows the characters having fun and shows how live action role play is an integral part of their lives and friendships. The plot of the movie is easy to follow and understand. Over the film's course Sergiusz overcomes his challenges and moves forward in his relationships with others, especially his father. We can relate to Sergiusz as he faces his family and deals with his difficulties maintaining relationships with friends. The dialogue is in Polish and subtitled in English; it is easy to understand. One thing I found unappealing is the relationship between Sergiusz and Helena. She never properly apologizes to Sergiusz or confesses to the principal that she lied to protect Gonzo and his friend from punishment. Visually, the film excels, especially in the LARP scenes that are prominently featured. There is lots of attention given to costume design and makeup. In the beginning, there is a LARP scene and, if the viewer did not know the movie's theme, it could be misinterpreted as a fantasy action film. The film uses special effects sequences as metaphors to illustrate the characters' feelings. For example, in one scene Sergiusz walks Helena home after meeting her in the library, then he floats back home, illustrating how he feels light as air. The film's coming-of-age theme is well delivered, as is the LARP theme which may encourage viewers to look into LARPing, fantasy and sci-fi role play, as it is portrayed as a healthy and enjoyable activity. The film also addresses family trauma, as Sergiusz and his father confront their pain and grief stemming from Sergiusz's mother's death. It shows why communication and listening to family members is important for understanding them and being able to move on from trauma.
The film's message is that being your own person is not only important but also essential for understanding oneself. It also emphasizes the significance of understanding other people and learning how to maintain and strengthen your relationships with them. Be aware that there is profanity (including the F word), scenes of violence, partial nudity, and a sex scene.
I give LARP the Movie 4 out of 5 stars, but am reluctant to recommend it to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival because of the profanity, partial nudity, violence and sex scene. It would be appropriate for ages 12 to 18. By Oyebisola O. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
I found LARP the Movie appealing because of its depiction of live-action role playing in real life; the characters in the film are shown enjoying themselves as they participate in it. I also enjoyed the friendship between the main character Sergiusz and his friends Damon, Kostka and Goliat, in spite of all the challenges they face together.
This is a coming-of-age story starring Filip Zareba as Sergiusz, a teenager whose favorite pastime is LARP (live action role play) with his friends, as he faces the challenges of growing up and following in love for the first time. The films follow Sergiusz as he addresses issues with his family, confronts his insecurities and overcomes his fears.
This is a lighthearted comedy with a few serious dramatic moments and shows a teenager dealing with personal challenges. Viewers may relate to the issues Sergiusz faces when discussing his hobby, LARP, with his family, who treat it as childish. Sergiusz' family's response to his hobby is something that most teenagers can relate to. Audiences may enjoy the LARP scenes, as it shows the characters having fun and shows how live action role play is an integral part of their lives and friendships. The plot of the movie is easy to follow and understand. Over the film's course Sergiusz overcomes his challenges and moves forward in his relationships with others, especially his father. We can relate to Sergiusz as he faces his family and deals with his difficulties maintaining relationships with friends. The dialogue is in Polish and subtitled in English; it is easy to understand. One thing I found unappealing is the relationship between Sergiusz and Helena. She never properly apologizes to Sergiusz or confesses to the principal that she lied to protect Gonzo and his friend from punishment. Visually, the film excels, especially in the LARP scenes that are prominently featured. There is lots of attention given to costume design and makeup. In the beginning, there is a LARP scene and, if the viewer did not know the movie's theme, it could be misinterpreted as a fantasy action film. The film uses special effects sequences as metaphors to illustrate the characters' feelings. For example, in one scene Sergiusz walks Helena home after meeting her in the library, then he floats back home, illustrating how he feels light as air. The film's coming-of-age theme is well delivered, as is the LARP theme which may encourage viewers to look into LARPing, fantasy and sci-fi role play, as it is portrayed as a healthy and enjoyable activity. The film also addresses family trauma, as Sergiusz and his father confront their pain and grief stemming from Sergiusz's mother's death. It shows why communication and listening to family members is important for understanding them and being able to move on from trauma.
The film's message is that being your own person is not only important but also essential for understanding oneself. It also emphasizes the significance of understanding other people and learning how to maintain and strengthen your relationships with them. Be aware that there is profanity (including the F word), scenes of violence, partial nudity, and a sex scene.
I give LARP the Movie 4 out of 5 stars, but am reluctant to recommend it to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival because of the profanity, partial nudity, violence and sex scene. It would be appropriate for ages 12 to 18. By Oyebisola O. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
This is coming-of-age story that blends humor and intelligence to explore the trials of adolescence, the journey to independence, and the pursuit of dreams while staying true to oneself. Sergius, a 17-year-old often dismissed as a loser, finds solace and strength in live action role-playing (LARP) games. Alongside his friends, he escapes into a fantastical world of epic battles and heroic quests. However, at school, they hide their passion to avoid bullying. Everything changes when Helena, a new girl who shares his love for LARP and fantasy books, arrives at school. Enchanted by her, Sergius is determined to win her heart, even though she quickly becomes part of the popular crowd. To prove his worth and fight for love in real life, Sergius must confront his family, his biggest school adversary, and most importantly, his own fears and insecurities.
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