Pixels Review: The Arcade Strikes Back

Once upon a time Adam Sandler was a comedic titan, releasing smash comedy hit after smash comedy hit. However of recent memory the untouchable comedic legend has fallen on very hard and demeaning times with almost every recent Adam Sandler film released being a frankly stupid mess of an entertainment piece, we’re all looking at you Grown Ups 2. So going into Pixels, even with its interesting premise that did more than intrigue my gamer heart, I was expecting another stupid movie full of wasted potential that put some of our most beloved licenses to very poor use. Thankfully though this movie is a pleasant surprise.

The story for Pixels is a fun and inventive twist on the run of the mill alien invasion plots seen before. In 1982 NASA sent up a message to the stars, communicating to any intelligent life out there the culture and ways of earth. In this message was footage of the video games of the time, Pac-Man and so on. However when an alien race receive these images of video game mayhem they see it as a declaration of war, sending us back real life version of our beloved video game characters hell bent on destroying the planet. In the midst of all this chaos humanities only hope is old arcade expert Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler) and his old joystick toting friends.   

Not only is the plot a fun and nerd satisfying concept but the movies comedy, the thing Sandler is known for but slightly slipping in recently, is actually quite funny. Not only did the more extravagant comedy brought out by the actual living and killing video game characters  land surprisingly well, especially to this nerdy viewer, but the more usual and friendly banter between the characters really worked too. It was a joy to see Sandler riff his way through a scene as he spiralled down an insulting pathway to a ridiculous nature.

What helped the comedy work so effectively were the loveable and actually relatable factors that the characters of Pixels had. From Adam Sandler’s surprisingly charming performance of Sam Brenner, an gamer who had so much promise but is now stuck in a dead end job with nothing but his wit to lighten up his days, to even the strange and lonely Ludlow; whose unique brand of anti social crazy was a hilarious spectacle to see actor Josh Gad explore and fully utilize in one of the worst best pep talks I’ve ever seen. Pixels creates a cast of heroes you really are rooting for throughout as instead of seeing the impeccable hero save the day here the common man gets his time to shine.

Another factor of the film that is utilized really well is the video game aspects of the movie. Not only is there unique pixel styled CGI presented really well, giving the alien forces a familiar but fresh aesthetic to ones seen in other movies, but the amount of video game culture references makes you feel like this isn’t just a move cashing in on the rising popularity of video games but a movie made by people who actually cared and loved these properties. This love and respect for the classics was felt so strong that even someone not really influenced by any nostalgic ties could still be infected by gamer glee as they see these iconic pixelated heroes and villains reek mayhem across the world.

This absorbing nostalgia or gamer glee also gave the film surprisingly cool and involved action sequences that genuinely had me enthralled throughout as these under dog nerds kicked the asses of some of the biggest names in old school gaming.

However with such an over the top and ridiculous plot also comes the inevitability of some cheesy, cringe filled moments. While it is more forgivable seeing as just how much fun you are having in this film of videogame wish fulfilment there are moments that seem to halt the movies flow a bit too much, making me roll my eyes in disappointment as I wait for this awkward misstep to be tossed aside in favour of seeing another exciting videogame themed showdown.

Overall I went into this movie expecting the worst but came out gladly proven wrong. Not only did a vast majority of its jokes bring out a lot of laughter from the audience but its genuinely awesome and thrilling action scenes plucked straight out of a nerds dreams to it’s loving and satisfying use of iconic videogame licences that reminded me why its so fun being a gamer; creating a loveable film that you cant help but smile at.

Pixels = 7/10