Free Guy

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Watch Date: September 4, 2024

“Ryan Reynolds stars in this action-packed comedy as a mild-mannered bank teller named Guy, who learns he’s really a background character in an open-world video game. Every day, Guy is under assault by players and objects within the game, where he’s robbed, hit by cars, and otherwise mistreated as a ‘non-playing character’ (NPC). To make matters worse, the game’s owner has decided to end the game. Teaming with a woman who’s both a human and a character in the game, Guy decides to become the hero of his own story. Now, in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way before it’s too late.”

---

   I guess we’re in a Ryan Reynolds mood lately. But then, apparently, so is the world by the looks of things. I think he’s taking a break from acting for awhile, letting his equally famous wife take the spotlight. I have a feeling that he will be back soon though. People like Blake Lively, but they love Ryan Reynolds. And his movies are probably going to make a whole lot more. Talk about a Hollywood power couple though.

   This movie, like a lot of Reynolds movies now, is extremely funny. It’s sort of like a Deadpool lite in a way? There’s violence, and fourth wall breaking, but the fourth wall is videogames, and not the entire film. And the violence exists and is there, but in a way that we’re familiar with from videogames, and so it’s not as visceral or effecting. And there’s no blood.

   I will say this, I have been gaming as long as I’ve been alive. So has Bob. And this movie does strike a chord as a love letter to all the worst, and best things, about video games, if you’ve been playing it a while. Now, granted, I’m more of a RPG, point and click adventure, WoW kind of gamer, and Bob actually plays a lot more of the games this film is parodying – GTA mainly. But there’s still a little bit of something in there for everyone. If you’ve gamed online in an experience with other people from all over the globe, you can find something to relate to, even if it’s just the issues of mods and lag.

   It’s fun, it’s bright, there’s a good guy/bad guy story, and Taika Waititi once again flexes his acting muscles and moves up the list as one of my favorite actors. The man can direct and he can act. He’s already done big things, but I’m kind of excited for there to be more and more from him. At it’s core though this movie is just sort of a classic comedy/action film, and there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s good with popcorn. It’ll make you laugh. Sometimes that’s all you need – not everything has to be deep and make you think.

   But if you’re an avid gamer, if you play with those NPCs that sometimes feel a little too realistic, seem to have a little too much of a full life out of providing side quests for you – you might be inspired to treat them a little more nicely in future. I know Bob will be playing RDR2 with a tad more kindness towards those whose computerized lives he’s effecting. At least for a few days.