Feature Film Review

Film Info:
A Personal Journey Into The Uncharted Depths Of Nerd Culture, A Realm Full
Of Dangers, Creatures And More Or
Less Precarious Working Conditions.

Written By: Johannes Grenzfurthner
Directed By: Johannes Grenzfurthner
Genre: Doc
120 Minutes

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  If you're like me, seeing the title "Traceroute" has probably stirred up a bunch of curiosity in that brain of yours. What exactly is it referring to? What is it? Look at those cool drawings and the 8 bit font... why? Let me tell you ladies and gents that the name of the film is absolutely fitting, and that the only way you'll see how fitting it is, is to watch. Well, maybe that's not totally the case; you can watch the trailer and get a slight idea... but no matter how you slice it, Johannes Grenzfurthner has put together one hell of a road trip for both his pleasure... and yours. Reading the film info will give you an idea of the basics behind this production, but just that. The reality is that "Traceroute" uses the term "Nerd Culture" very loosely, and ends up delving into many off-shoots of society in general.
  Bundling up everyone who is slightly different and calling them nerds may be easier to sell a film, but is much more fun when you realize that's not quite the case. The really fun part is when you, the viewer, are able to relate to many elements of what makes a nerd a nerd; realizing that at some point over the last few decades, we all may have become somewhat nerdy, making the majority of "normal" people actually the "different" ones. All this from a wonky independent film with a really cool title. Who would have guessed?
  Visually, "Traceroute" is nothing groundbreaking and won't be winning any awards for best cinematography. Were you expecting it would be? This is a documentary after all, complete with all the camera, sound work and editing styles you've come to expect from the genre. Reality based entertainment.. but at it's finest. I can write that I loved it's use of old-school styled fonts and graphical elements. They truly do compliment the narrative Johannes is trying to create, and tend to bring some nostalgic retro hoopla to the front and center for those who remember. "Traceroute" also features an equally retro/8-bit era score that's sure to please us, the older generation. This brings me to an interesting question. Will the current generation of yung-unes find "Traceroute" as entertaining as I did? In any degree? Sure, we'll always have those "nerds" that love history, but will anyone else of the current generation appreciate this title? I mean, I can almost guarantee that if you're 30 or older, no matter how hard you try not to, you'll find something to like here. It won't even matter if you were considered a nerd in your youth! Will anyone else though? That's going to become a huge factor as "Traceroute" begins it's journey, and one only time will answer.
  To sum it all up let me just write that I loved this flick. Although it has elements of nerd culture as stated, it really reaches for a much greater scope of things and ends up being a cool road trip film, visiting all places awesome. From toys to gadgets, aliens to movies, something for everyone really is contained within these 2 hours. We even get an English translation of the directors name! How cool is that? Grenzfurthner has spliced together so many different elements into one big successful party that I, for one, am quite pleased with the results... as I nudge you over to the left side of the screen... to watch the trailer and connect. As you do please keep one thing in mind. No licking the "Watch Trailer" button.

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