The film has received mixed to negative reviews. While some appreciate its campy, low-budget charm and Mark Hamill's performance, others have criticized it as:
is an action-comedy film directed by G.J. Echternkamp and produced by legendary B-movie filmmaker Roger Corman . Originally premiering at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival , the movie became a "lost film" for a decade before finally seeing a digital and streaming release in January 2023 . Core Premise
: To keep budgets low, the film famously repurposed action footage from Roger Corman's library of 1980s and 90s Filipino action movies. Virtually Heroes
: It follows two self-aware video game characters, Sgt. Books (Robert Baker) and Lt. Nova (Brent Chase), who struggle with the absurd, repetitive logic of their virtual world.
due to its reliance on recycled footage. The film has received mixed to negative reviews
: After its 2013 festival debut, the film failed to find a distributor. Director Echternkamp attributed the delay to Corman's dissatisfaction with the financial offers at the time.
: The film was eventually acquired by Screen Media and released on VOD and digital platforms on January 17, 2023 , and later streamed on Popcornflix and Crackle . Key Cast & Crew Director G.J. Echternkamp Producer Roger Corman Sgt. Books Robert Baker The Monk Mark Hamill Lt. Nova Brent Chase Wanda Katie Savoy Critical Reception Originally premiering at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival
The film is a meta-satire set within a military video game universe (reminiscent of Call of Duty ):