As a fan of the original game, I put off watching this film for the longest time, due mainly to the fact that I wasn't sure how well this concept could be executed in such a way. I figured most of the game's draw came from actually being involved in the inspections, and while I still think this is true to some small degree, the film does a good job at bringing this video game world into a more cinematic experience.
To begin, PAPERS PLEASE: THE SHORT FILM has many virtues that elevate it to its heights. Igor Savochkin gives a very good performance in the role of the protagonist, riding that fine line between being blank enough for the viewer to insert themselves into his position, while still remaining his own intriguing and believable character with goals, motivations, thoughts, feelings, and humanity. His portrayal was occasionally not involved enough (the ending being the biggest example of this), but most of his work in this film was very very good. Other actors, in Tokarev, Tsygankova, Panyukov, and Kravtsova, all give short of great but good performances in their respective roles as well.
The film looks pretty good as well, using bright and noticeable colours as thematic emblems for emotions and countries, as well as utilizing a higher-quality camera than that of typical shorts, for satisfyingly crisp video. The plot of the film is simple, but undeniably well-made, intriguing, and believable; seeing the progression from the Inspector being rigidly devoted to his job, followed by his shame and regret, followed then by his apologetic and forgiving relaxation of the rules, to his downfall caused by his one and only exception. It plays well into the important themes of the film while also being an awesomely haunting conclusion.
If I had to come up with any legitimate criticisms of PAPERS PLEASE: THE SHORT FILM, it would be the multiple montages of the Inspector granting and denying access to Arstotzka. While the orchestral cover of the game's main motif as well as countless easter eggs that fans of the original will surely recognize are both welcome additions, they contrasted too heavily with the real meat of the film, really just ending up as cheesy, obviously padded time. This is not too much of a problem however, given the film's mere 10-minute runtime.
Overall, a successful adaptation of one of the best indie video games of all time. I'm very glad I checked it out and I'm impressed with how well it managed to translate aspects of Arstotzka from game to film, being able to balance being a rewarding experience for longtime fans while remaining an accessible one for those unfamiliar with the source material.
To begin, PAPERS PLEASE: THE SHORT FILM has many virtues that elevate it to its heights. Igor Savochkin gives a very good performance in the role of the protagonist, riding that fine line between being blank enough for the viewer to insert themselves into his position, while still remaining his own intriguing and believable character with goals, motivations, thoughts, feelings, and humanity. His portrayal was occasionally not involved enough (the ending being the biggest example of this), but most of his work in this film was very very good. Other actors, in Tokarev, Tsygankova, Panyukov, and Kravtsova, all give short of great but good performances in their respective roles as well.
The film looks pretty good as well, using bright and noticeable colours as thematic emblems for emotions and countries, as well as utilizing a higher-quality camera than that of typical shorts, for satisfyingly crisp video. The plot of the film is simple, but undeniably well-made, intriguing, and believable; seeing the progression from the Inspector being rigidly devoted to his job, followed by his shame and regret, followed then by his apologetic and forgiving relaxation of the rules, to his downfall caused by his one and only exception. It plays well into the important themes of the film while also being an awesomely haunting conclusion.
If I had to come up with any legitimate criticisms of PAPERS PLEASE: THE SHORT FILM, it would be the multiple montages of the Inspector granting and denying access to Arstotzka. While the orchestral cover of the game's main motif as well as countless easter eggs that fans of the original will surely recognize are both welcome additions, they contrasted too heavily with the real meat of the film, really just ending up as cheesy, obviously padded time. This is not too much of a problem however, given the film's mere 10-minute runtime.
Overall, a successful adaptation of one of the best indie video games of all time. I'm very glad I checked it out and I'm impressed with how well it managed to translate aspects of Arstotzka from game to film, being able to balance being a rewarding experience for longtime fans while remaining an accessible one for those unfamiliar with the source material.
