Pixels: A Gamers Perspective
Coming up to the release of this film I was really excited. Until that is, I started reading the reviews that were flowing through. Normally this doesn't worry me, but after some films recently that had really let me down, I took these opinions to heart and my excitement unfortunately, dwindled away.
That is until recently where my love of all things gaming and a love of a good laugh pushed those negative thoughts to the side. Let me tell you now, all those negative reviews are wrong.
Pixels starts off in a suburban street in what you would assume is the early - mid 80's. A new video game arcade has opened up in town and two friends Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler) & Will Cooper (Kevin James) are off to try it out with a container full of stolen quarters.
We find out that Sam is a bit of a prodigy and can see the patterns in the games and makes his way to the world championship, where he is only beaten by the reigning champ on the final show down. Sorry to throw that little spoiler in there, but it explains why the rest of the movie is the way it is.
Fast forward 30 or so years and Will is now president of the USA and Sam is a lowly tech installer.
BRING ON THE INVASION!!!!!
Intergalactic aliens have misinterpreted video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, so they have declared war on the earth, using those very same game characters as there attacking squadrons.
After the military is left helpless against the onslaught in step the gamers!
This movie is never going to win an Oscar, however it was never meant to. If some dramatic period piece is what you're after, then you're in the wrong spot.
Pixels is light hearted, good classic fun. None of it is supposed to be serious and it doesn't try to be. The characters are all cliche but seeing that for what it is, just makes it funnier. The inclusion of Toru Iwatani (creator of Pac Man) just sets it off.
Sandler does the role justice. Some will say he seems disinterested or flat, but that is the character, He feels he peaked as a kid playing games and never really got over it, and that's how it comes across. His wit is on song and some of the comebacks had me laughing way too loud for the time of night I was watching it.
Special effects are flawless. Watching Pac-Man race through the streets and eating everything in his path is fantastic.
Overall Pixels is an easy to watch movie the whole family will enjoy. Though I do think those of us 30+ might get a bit more out of this one. If only for nostalgia alone.
Modern day gaming gets a mention with the PS4 and the way they roll new gaming into the story line worked and should get a few laughs.
Go out and see it. Try and name all the characters.
Pat (Snoogans)
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