Arcade 1987

Directed by Lee Dilley

2025

Klas Act Productions

A suitably pixelated retro computer font opens Arcade 1987, a new 10-minute short from writer-director Lee Dilley which takes us back to the long lost days of 80s video game arcades.

Complemented by an equally suitable synth score, we get to see two youngsters who sneak their way into an arcade filled with the most famous coin-ops from the era. Sherry (Jemima Newman) and Goggs (Leo Harris) wander past the legendary Paperboy, Pac-Man, Space Invaders and many more game machines before we find out the young boy is going to teach the girl to become a 'games master’ to win a video game competition. He’s unable to compete owing to a broken arm but hopes to help Sherry win an upcoming battle.

As a child of the 80s (I’m showing my years now) the production has brilliantly, and accurately, recreated the vibe of the decade with great props, design and wardrobe. BMXs, film posters and the 8-bit electronica music filling in the background help create a world of recognition and nostalgia for us fogies. Whilst it also serves visually to help to bring a younger audience into this fun world of the past.

The two actors do really well with a script that is a little on the nose with exposition coming through the simple, yet admittedly unfussy, dialogue. Given it’s a short film, there’s a fine balance to get the info over quickly yet not outright state the plot, motivations and plans directly to the audience through a conversation.

But with echoes of The Last Starfighter (1984), modern retro-infused shows like Stranger Things and perhaps most of all The Wizard (1989), the love for all things 1980s is on display throughout. Further references to Thundercats and the use of 80s-track Push It to the Limit during a montage again successfully reference the style and music of the time.

Even though the song is a perfect accompaniment - Wikipedia shows it’s been used as a montage soundtrack across dozens of media titles - a little reminder to local productions about copyright usage here. Ditto the use of The Pixies song. Granted it's a difficult balance here given the need for song recognition from the era but feel a local composer or band could ape the style relatively easy. 🎵 Even Rocky had a montage 🎵

The filmmaker has intentionally created the film as a proof-of-concept for a longer feature which is a great idea to attract support, market test the industry waters and also get filmmaking experience with a fully-fledged and completed short into the bargain.

Will J. Carman’s stunning cinematography is as good as any local short you’re gonna see and the story develops with the arrival of a couple of trad-bullies who provide a villainous counterpoint before the whole thing leaves us on a Yes/No arcade game continue screen.

Despite some areas for improvement, the short is a gorgeous-looking film whose drawbacks are mainly due to it’s nature being a scene from the middle of a longer feature movie concept. And because of this, sometimes its context is a little strained given that it has to do so many things at once. 

However, Arcade 1987 does provide a satisfying and lovely walk down retro-alley with its warm throwback nods to images, sounds and vibes from a dayglo decade remembered fondly by many. And hopefully it’s not game over either for the filmmakers in their goal to level-up and complete the full feature they plan to. I'll be the first to insert extra coins if they do. 

★★★★

4 / 5

Michael Sales

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