Film Review: "Free Guy" (2021).

"The world needed a hero. They got a guy" in Free Guy. This science fiction action comedy film directed by Shawn Levy and written by Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn. A bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story... one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way... before it is too late.

The script was included in the 2016 Black List of "most liked" scripts. Levy originally read the script in 2016 but passed on it. Several years later, Levy was introduced to Reynolds by Hugh Jackman, a mutual friend, and the pair decided to work on the film after re-reading the script together. By mid May, Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Joe Keery, Taika Waititi were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late July. Filming took place throughout Massachusetts, USA. The film was originally scheduled for a July 3rd, 2020 release date but was delayed to December 11th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In early November 2020 the film was postponed indefinitely, before being rescheduled for May 21st, 2021. The film is now scheduled to release on August 13th, 2021.

The film stars Reynolds, Comer, Howery, Keery, Waititi. No characters, lead or supporting, feel fully drawn out or have complete arcs. The character development and emotional stakes may be undercooked, but it's such a thrill to watch a cast of this film's pedigree unrestrained and having fun.

While it won't blow you away with its plot, the film delivers enough fun and adventure to more than justify the price of admission. The setting of the film allows for some truly spectacular action set pieces and these are the strongest parts of the film. While the video game preoccupation is adequately and thoroughly visualized, the real world has plenty of missing details. It's a film to watch and enjoy once, but probably not to return to again and again. It's fixated on easter eggs and it's like an easter egg itself: shiny and pretty, inducing a brief sugar high, but ultimately hollow. While it's doubtful the film will ever occupy a sacred place in the pantheon of its influences and it occasionally struggles to evoke that same feeling you had watching one of the many films it channels. There are definitely seeds of an interesting premise here, but unfortunately, they degenerate into a bundle of clichés overloaded with pop culture allusions. If you're willing to enjoy the film superficially you'll have a good time. If you spend longer than five minutes thinking about it you'll consider it a crime against cinema. So in the end, my opinion on the film is that it was a fun ride that especially kids will love. But there are other films that are better. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Simon says Free Guy receives:

Also, see my review for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.