Gamer with Gerard Butler Movie Review Review (egmartinez)

Pros

Gerard Butler
Fast paced action
First Person Shooter theme
Sims and/or Second Life references
Interesting supporting actors

Cons

Shakey cinematography
Semi-predictable with only a few twists
John Leguizamo's teeth

Full Review

“Gamer” is an action packed futuristic film that brings video games to reality. Gerard Butler plays Kable, a death row inmate who had been given a chance at freedom through the first person shooter game “Slayers”. With interesting commentary on video games that simulate real life, “Gamer” will have you wondering if sitting home and playing Call of Duty or Sims 3 is really the best way to spend your time.

The cinematography on this film was very hard to watch if you get vertigo easily. Shakey camera action with quick pans over blood and gore make for a spinning, bouncy ride through the world of “Slayers”. “Gamer” contains graphic violence and wanton disregard for human life. Scantily clad women and general debauchery also run rampant in this movie. That said, for adult audiences, “Gamer” is a fast-paced action film that will keep gamers and non video game aficionados glued to their seats.

Michael C. Hall of Dexter fame is a fantastic villain who devises a plan for global domination that seems all to possible with our rapidly advancing technology. Other actors such as rapper Ludacris, a creepy John Leguizamo and Kyra Sedgwick make for interesting side characters. The “Gamer” audience will join the citizens of the “Gamer” world when they root for Gerard Butler’s well-developed character of Kable.

In Closing

Even though “Gamer” is short (only 95 minutes), audiences will leave the theater happy. If you get motion sickness easily, consider taking Dramamine before heading off to the movie theater! Don’t expect a lot of great dialog, but do expect a fast action film with lots of shooting, gore and violence, and a great performance by the ever versatile Gerard Butler of “300” and “P.S. I Love You” fame. Because the video games alluded to in the movie are such popular titles, everyone will understand why bringing video games into real life is a terrifying concept, but “Gamer” viewers will be riveted to their seats like rubber neckers at a train wreck.