PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST 2025 REVIEW! In the 1980s and 90s, going to the arcade was a magical place for a kid. The lights, sounds, and graphics were all hypnotic for me. It must have been a similar experience for Eddie Esguerra, the subject of Time Crisis by co-writers and co-directors Brooke Palmieri and Zac Weathers. Eddie, however, focused on one game in particular, Time Crisis 2, released in 1997.
The short documentary opens with a text telling us that the light gun shooting game is extremely difficult for two players, let alone one. Esguerra has mastered it with dance-like moves, garnering attention from people in the arcade and on social media. This attention makes him happy, because he’s not a very social person otherwise.
“…Esguerra has mastered [Time Crisis 2] with dance-like moves…”
I think many gamers can relate to the isolation and difficulty making friends that Eddie Esguerra talks about in this doc. It’s hard to be social when you’re so used to being alone. It’s fun to see Eddie coming out of his shell and soaking up the love he gets for showing off his skills. Esguerra is humble as well. the filmmakers ask him if he’s the best in the world, and he doesn’t want to say it. I’ve played that game, it is extremely tough, and Eddie makes it look easy.
Time Crisis brings the nostalgia, fun factor, and the universal human need for companionship into focus, and does it all in a breezy 7 minutes.
Time Crisis screened at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
"…brings the nostalgia, fun factor, and the universal human need for companionship...all in a breezy 7 minutes."
