While getting ready to watch "Gamer" on DVD, I noticed a preview for another Gerard Butler movie, a romantic comedy. I know Gerard is working hard to find himself in every genre movie out there; however, this film will dilute his audiences fascination with him or he may find his niche yet. Set in the near future, the audience will undoubtedly compare Gamer with "The Matrix," "Surrogates," released around the same time, or even with the SyFy Channel's (yes, it’s not the Sc-Fi Channel anymore) "Caprica". The directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor ("Crank") tell a mindless tale of a convict who allows "players" to control their bodies during “First Person Shooter" real-life scenarios. If the con stays alive a certain number of days, the establishment will release him. Pretty bloody, confusing plot and even if you are into action adventure, you will find the story a bit too involved with the conspiracy twists.
The biggest issue the audience will have with this film is not the actors and their acting, nor photography, nor the low budget special effects, which are actually decent, nor even the concept; it will be with the convoluted storyline. Even fans of lousy movies will have a hard time following it. The biggest issue that is writers/directors tried to do was add a message of some sort (don't ask me, consumerism, addiction, militarism?) in to a story that should have been left alone as just pure FPS gaming. Unfortunately, the fine acting by antagonist Ken Castle played wonderfully weird by Dexter's lead Michael C. Hall, does not save the film. Kyra Sedgwick gives a notable off character performance in this film. Alison Lohman from Drag me to Hell, is under utilized in this film, and could have added more to the film. Don't ask me what more is, as I said the story is problematic. Gerard Butler does his best not to look so much as Leonidas, but he cannot help it. I am intrigued with the notion that the directors toyed with; that someday that we can all make some extra bucks by having a rich person run our bodies for us and pay us. Maybe I would get out a bit more.
My recommendation is if you want an action-adventure sci-fi flick look somewhere else. However, if you watch it for its mindless killing, blood, gore, and sexuality, don't blame me, I warned you.
Movie Data
Genre::Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Year: 2009
Staring: Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Allison Lohman, Kyra Sedgwick, Amber Valletta, Logan Lerman, Ludacris
Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Producer(s) Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Skip Williamson, Richard S. Wright
Writer: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Rating: R
Running Time: 95 minutes
Release Date: 9/4/2009
Running Time: 95 minutes
Release Date: 9/4/2009
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