Cosplayers UK - The Movie   Distributor: ISIS Entertainment RRP: £10.44 ARTE2015 Certificate: E Release Date: 03 February 2014

This documentary follows a small selection of talented Cosplayers as they take part in the May 2011 MCM Expo. Cosplay, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character often from the fantasy, anime, Sci-Fi or comic genre...

While I did enjoy Cosplayers UK - The Movie, I have to admit I'm not overly sure why... or why anyone thought it would make a good topic for a documentary. There are people that Cosplay or appreciate the art; those that think it's too geeky for them; and those who haven't got a clue what it is.

The majority of people probably find it too geeky and think that it's a pastime full of nerds, social inadequates, spotty teenagers and 30-something virgins. To be fair, this documentary doesn't go anywhere near dispelling these cliches... and in some aspects it actually helps to strengthen them.

The documentary follows several of those that are planning to enter the 2011 MCM Expo in costume. We get a bit of a background on them and then see the costume they are entering. Finally we get to see them parade their costume in front of the judges. Now, as I mentioned previously, those that think these events are populated by nervous, socially awkward misfits won't see anything here to make them change their minds. However, when you reflect on the documentary as a whole, it's hard not to admire almost everyone's enthusiasm, original thinking and pure guts - I know I wouldn't be able to walk down a catwalk in front of people judging me.

When one skinny, bespectacled organiser and cosplayer, claimed that he was going to attend the convention as Thor... I shuddered at how silly he would finally look. But he didn't... he looked pretty good in the costume. Wearing a wig and removing his glasses, the plain looking nerd became a hunk of a man that women would throw themselves at... Okay, maybe I've gone a little too far, but it was an amazing transformation.

But by far the highlight was the winning costume. I won't spoil anything for those wanting to watch the film, but the attention to detail was just incredible.

The film is not in depth enough to appeal to serious cosplayers, and it's too nerdy to draw in those not familiar with the art. While I enjoyed it, I couldn't see myself watching it again... or recommending it to anyone other than the uninitiated or those that attended MCM Expo 2011.

5

Darren Rea