Pixels (2015)

"We're the only ones who can do this! 

I'm kidding, we're all gonna die." 

A movie where Paul Blart Mall Cop is president of the United States as aliens attack the world with arcade games from 1982 and the only way to save the planet is to round up video game nerd Adam Sandler and his old gaming buddies?

Sign me up. 

Not really much point in writing a premise for this film because, as silly and crazy as it sounds, that's actually the plot of the movie. 

You can't take 'Pixels' seriously so you just need to sit back and accept it really.

What could have quite possibly been a terribly embarrassing flop actually turns out to be a pretty entertaining movie for the most part.

I am not a fan of Adam Sandler. I think 'Click' may be the only role that I can watch him in without wanting to tear my face off but this film sounded too fun to be put off by the fact that Adam Sandler was in it. Despite being an Adam Sandler movie it's not really an "Adam Sandler movie" in the traditional sense. He's toned it down a lot for this film and, for the first time in quite a while, I actually didn't mind watching him. He's got some good scenes with some funny moments, he accepts the punchline and moves on. If only more of his movies were as reserved.

This being said, his "relationship" with the interchangeable female love interest Violet, played by Michelle Monaghan, is pretty laughable and totally unbelievable. Much like a video game, she's pretty much only there as a prize for Adam Sandler to win at the end of the movie. If you can get past the almost cringe worthy romance then you can enjoy the rest of the film.

The humour in this film is fun. There are a lot of laugh out loud moments and it keeps you entertained. Some of the scenes do drag slightly as they try and squeeze every joke out of mundane dialogue but apart from that it's a pretty decent comedy. 

The star of the show is definitely Peter Dinklage. He's a great character and has a lot of fun with being the "bad-boy" of the arcade game scene. He's the funniest character (and the best actor) in the film and I would have loved to have seen more of him.

The plot is as predictable as it comes but you don't really mind because it's a good time anyway. It's over the top and it's ridiculous but that's what is so enjoyable about it. It's not going to be nominated for a best picture Oscar but it's a good film to switch off your brain to and enjoy. 

The effects are also quite impressive with the pixelation process and it's enjoyable to watch how the old games translate into a real world scenario. My favourite scene definitely had to the the Pac Man chase through New York but there are lots of solid scenes to choose from. 

I imagine this film will be full of nostalgia for people of that era or who have played more of the original arcade games. It's a hard one to pitch because it's almost branded as a family movie but it's audience is relatively limited. Too young and they won't get the references but too old and they probably wouldn't go and see it. I knew most of the old arcade games but some went straight over my head so if you're a big fan of the old school games then you'll love picking them out and reminiscing. 

Overall, 'Pixels' can't be taken seriously but it's silly, it's cheesy, it's funny and it's over the top so you won't regret seeing it. Its been getting a lot of hard press but I think that it's a little harsh with a goofy movie like this. 

Now, where can I find myself a Ms. Pac-man machine? 
I have some grown up words to put as the high scores...