Contra is an entertaining ode to 80’s action and 8-bit video games!
by Nav Qateel
Based on the 1987 game of the same name, the short film Contra attempts to recreate the look and feel of the old 8-bit side scroller video game, and mostly succeeds. Written and directed by Bradford Jackson, Contra immediately grabs your attention as it opens on two toy soldiers that are suspiciously similar to the game characters, that proceed to be run over by a jeep.
The jeep is being driven by a grisly colonel who asks our two patriotic heroes to face some unnamed enemy for unknown reasons. This scene was amazing as the colonel walks over to a wall filled with the stars and stripes in an attempt at persuading the initial reluctant hero to fight for him once again. Hilariously on the nose, like most of this short film.
After imitating Arnie and Carl Weathers’ Predator musclebound handshake, the crazy pair jump on a Huey and fly to their destination. Of course, this doesn’t go quite as planned, but they do get to shoot a lot of bad guys while a fantastic song accompanies them on their mission.
I believe the metal song is titled Lock and Load, with hilarious lyrics like “tank tops tight, biceps flexed, freedom’s got a mf’king bayonete!” Clearly, this is a nod to one of the funniest films ever made, Team America, as it also featured such music. In fact the music felt like an important third character in both films.
This short film’s production was good, running about eleven minutes. Contra, uses filters similar to those used in the amazing 2015 short film Kung Fury. This achieved the correct look, making us feel as though we are watching a movie on an old video cassette, thus adding to the amusing charm of Jackson’s effort.
I laughed from start to finish, which isn’t common when watching this type of film, making this one of the best of 2025 so far. If, like me, you actually remember the game, then it certainly adds to the enjoyment; however, you don’t have to know anything about the game to get pleasure from Contra. This is an extremely easy film to recommend.
Nav’s Score: 8/10
