Free Guy

EoinMcLovin

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Taika Waititi.

In the open world video game Free City, an amalgamation of Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite, Guy (Reynolds) is a non-player character, working as a bank teller. Thanks to code developed by programmers Milly (Comer) and Keys (Keery) inserted into Free City by the publisher Antoine (Waititi), Guy becomes aware of his world being a video game, and takes steps to make himself the hero, creating a race against time to save the game before the developers can shut it down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNrYtgjWdI

pixelburp

Jodie Comer eh, playing what appears to be a character entirely within the same cupboard as Villanelle from Killing Eve. A less psychotic version by the looks of it, but definitely the same "f*ck it" attitude. To the point where she could be a breakout action star if the chips fall her way.

Otherwise, that absolutely looks like Lego Movie, retrofitted into a blatant off brand GTA clone, with Ryan Reynolds playing a type he can do in his sleep at this stage. If he ever decides to do full drama again, the world might crack with shock.

Drumpot

Looks like it might be a bit of fun. Prob something my wife would go to cinema to watch with me. Not a lot of movies we will go and see together so I’m good with this if it is Ryan Reynolds doing what he does...

EoinMcLovin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JORN2hkXLyM

JP Liz V1

The Wreck It Ralph Truman Show

EoinMcLovin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxbuZCOa7GQ

pixelburp

Mainstream Hollywood rarely "gets" video game humour, often coming off a little forced in that "how do you do fellow kids" sorta way. And it's a subject about a million YouTubers have already endlessly lampooned in short form - not sure it can sustain a movie length. Just by way of example like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP468OEln4U

Drumpot

pixelburp wrote: »

Mainstream Hollywood rarely "gets" video game humour, often coming off a little forced in that "how do you do fellow kids" sorta way. And it's a subject about a million YouTubers have already endlessly lampooned in short form - not sure it can sustain a movie length. Just by way of example like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP468OEln4U

Yeh but Ryan Reynolds.

pixelburp

Drumpot wrote: »

Yeh but Ryan Reynolds.

He’s so hot right now.

Oh sure, I'd not be surprised if this started as "a Ryan Reynolds film" and the executives workshopped it backwards from there - with maybe some input from Reynolds for the direction (as I believe he's a bit of a nerd himself). But that's what I mean, it makes the thing feel really hollow. But sure who knows, could be just the trailer doing a terrible job; wouldn't be the first time.

Drumpot

pixelburp wrote: »

Oh sure, I'd not be surprised if this started as "a Ryan Reynolds film" and the executives workshopped it backwards from there - with maybe some input from Reynolds for the direction (as I believe he's a bit of a nerd himself). But that's what I mean, it makes the thing feel really hollow. But sure who knows, could be just the trailer doing a terrible job; wouldn't be the first time.

Closest I can think to this is hardcore Henry. Trailer looked great, loved the idea and Copley is a fine actor for that sort of role but it was missing something. Can’t quite get it, might even of been the score that felt out of place.

Maybe the trailer will be poor on this but the movie good !

silverharp

its one of those films that looks mildly amusing but wouldnt get me off the sofa to go see it, you can fill in the blanks from the trailer, its no The Truman Show.

Drumpot

silverharp wrote: »

its one of those films that looks mildly amusing but wouldnt get me off the sofa to go see it, you can fill in the blanks from the trailer, its no The Truman Show.

I can go and see it with my wife in cinema.

I wouldn’t be expecting a Truman show, I’d be expecting more silly suicide squad type vibe, but hopefully better. I think with these movies you need to not over think it and just go along for the ride. Don’t care about why it’s made, how cynical it is or what Hollywood wants etc, I want to have a laugh for awhile.

Sabre0001

pixelburp wrote: »

...

Epic NPC Man too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeNdC8hVIT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzBZFArR4mc

That crew recently did release a movie/short (35mins long rather than their usual 1-2min snapshots)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEe-ZeVbTLo

Cast involved in Free Guy know how to make a fun film anyways. Nothing too hilarious in the trailer, but there will probably be some chuckles. As said, Ryan Reynolds could play this role in his sleep and Waititi is usually entertaining. Wreck-It Ralph and Lego Movie vibes, but that's not a bad thing.

pixelburp

Not trying to step on people's desire to have laughs or legislate against the "turn your brain off" argument, just saying that as a subject it feels already saturated on other media, and not begging for entering the cinema over. Not when I can just re-watch "Wreck it Ralph"

Drumpot

pixelburp wrote: »

Not trying to step on people's desire to have laughs or legislate against the "turn your brain off" argument, just saying that as a subject it feels already saturated on other media, and not begging for entering the cinema over. Not when I can just re-watch "Wreck it Ralph"

As a person who generally over thinks everything, I can relate to your sentiments.

However, where I am possibly fortunate is that I have learned over the years to try to not to over think movies. I absolutely love movies. Loved working in xtra vision in the 90s. Love going to the cinema. Love the watching movies and shows with my children. Tv is the one area I’ve been able to generally switch my brain off and go with the flow and it’s served me so well. It’s not that I can’t ge disappointed or see crap stuff, it’s that I spend far less time on stuff that doesn’t work for me.

Why a studio is making a movie makes no difference to my enjoyment of a movie. I think it’s why I can’t relate to a lot of you in here who seem to thrive on putting things down before they even hit the theatres. Maybe I’m getting old or just not very hip!

I feel very fortunate to be able to just try to focus on what I can get from where we get then lament about everything to do with certain projects. I’m not trying to scoff at others, I know many of you take your movies very seriously, prob like me and football that drives me mad. Prob Need to take my own advice and apply it to other things in my life, seems like I’ve been able to figure out how to really enjoy most movies but not everything else in my life !!! :pac:

pixelburp

It's not even a question of taking films "seriously": I'm well capable of partitioning my brain as to enjoy (say) fluff like Yesterday or Space Sweepers, as well as hardcore "cinema" such as Parasite or Uncut Gems; it's just when a film like this comes along that smells kinda lazy, it's hard to reciprocate the minimum interest the studio clearly lacked when greenlighting the film

Despite any suspicion to the contrary from some around here, I'm no film snob. I also just value my time to a degree that if the studio isn't arsed, neither am I OBviously if a consensus declares this the pick of the summer I'll give it my time tho'

flasher0030

Drumpot wrote: »

As a person who generally over thinks everything, I can relate to your sentiments.

However, where I am possibly fortunate is that I have learned over the years to try to not to over think movies. I absolutely love movies. Loved working in xtra vision in the 90s. Love going to the cinema. Love the watching movies and shows with my children. Tv is the one area I’ve been able to generally switch my brain off and go with the flow and it’s served me so well. It’s not that I can’t ge disappointed or see crap stuff, it’s that I spend far less time on stuff that doesn’t work for me.

Why a studio is making a movie makes no difference to my enjoyment of a movie. I think it’s why I can’t relate to a lot of you in here who seem to thrive on putting things down before they even hit the theatres. Maybe I’m getting old or just not very hip!

I feel very fortunate to be able to just try to focus on what I can get from where we get then lament about everything to do with certain projects. I’m not trying to scoff at others, I know many of you take your movies very seriously, prob like me and football that drives me mad. Prob Need to take my own advice and apply it to other things in my life, seems like I’ve been able to figure out how to really enjoy most movies but not everything else in my life !!! :pac:

We could be twins!!! My sentiments exactly. I have a fair idea of what will do it for me, and what won't. I put time into looking on the net beforehand to see what movies I think I will get the best kick out of - whilst at the same time trying to avoid spoilers etc. And like you, sometimes I'll be thoroughly enjoyed, and sometimes I'll be disappointed. I don't care about the external things that are going on re the movie making - the complete issue for me is did I enjoy the movie at face value.

I can dig plotholes very tolerably. The way I look at films is that they are escapism. That's for me anyway. I have enough shltty things going on in my life, so for me to switch off from that for 2 hours is great.

I guess I cannot understand why people would go looking for unnecessary negatives in films. On a different thread, one guy or gal got completely worked up because the family in A Quiet Place didn't build a house beside the waterfall so that they could talk. Why would you get into that headspace? Just relax and enjoy the film.

silverharp

Drumpot wrote: »

I can go and see it with my wife in cinema.

I wouldn’t be expecting a Truman show, I’d be expecting more silly suicide squad type vibe, but hopefully better. I think with these movies you need to not over think it and just go along for the ride. Don’t care about why it’s made, how cynical it is or what Hollywood wants etc, I want to have a laugh for awhile.

everyone has their own preferences, I tend not to go see comedies in the cinema anyway

pixelburp

Comedies are rarely "cinematic" these days, and is something often lamented by those pesky cinemaphile types who want to ruin all yer fun :pac: Someone like Edgar Wright is a very rare pearl whose own chucklefests look amazing, and use the camera to accentuate the comedy with visual cues, puns or whatnot. On the flipside, Paul Feig's films are just borrrrring to look at.

Drumpot

flasher0030 wrote: »

We could be twins!!! My sentiments exactly. I have a fair idea of what will do it for me, and what won't. I put time into looking on the net beforehand to see what movies I think I will get the best kick out of - whilst at the same time trying to avoid spoilers etc. And like you, sometimes I'll be thoroughly enjoyed, and sometimes I'll be disappointed. I don't care about the external things that are going on re the movie making - the complete issue for me is did I enjoy the movie at face value.

I can dig plotholes very tolerably. The way I look at films is that they are escapism. That's for me anyway. I have enough shltty things going on in my life, so for me to switch off from that for 2 hours is great.

I guess I cannot understand why people would go looking for unnecessary negatives in films. On a different thread, one guy or gal got completely worked up because the family in A Quiet Place didn't build a house beside the waterfall so that they could talk. Why would you get into that headspace? Just relax and enjoy the film.

Every time I come in here to talk about a movie , even before it’s released , there can be so much negativity surrounding them. Aliens , Star Wars in particular but it seems to be the thing nowadays. I don’t be on Twitter or other social platforms and I don’t want many spoilers so generally only know the basics before a movie comes out. So I come in here kind of naive and sheltered to all The other toxic baggage that seems to be a thing now.

But I like to look forward to movies and talk about the ones I’m actually interested in seeing. I can’t be overlycritical of those who are so negative because you need only look at my similarly overly negative posting on the United forum , can’t throw stones in that glasshouse. I guess it just feels like there’s more people in here who are more negative then positive and it’s hard to engage with more optimistic movie goers who have a lower bar Like me

silverharp wrote: »

everyone has their own preferences, I tend not to go see comedies in the cinema anyway

That’s true , I suppose I just don’t expect this to be anything like the Truman show. Absolutely loved that movie, probably my favorite Carey movie.

Baba O'Reilly makes me want to see it, but I bet it's the best part

pixelburp

Drumpot wrote: »

Every time I come in here to talk about a movie , even before it’s released , there can be so much negativity surrounding them. Aliens , Star Wars in particular but it seems to be the thing nowadays. I don’t be on Twitter or other social platforms and I don’t want many spoilers so generally only know the basics before a movie comes out. So I come in here kind of naive and sheltered to all The other toxic baggage that seems to be a thing now.

But I like to look forward to movies and talk about the ones I’m actually interested in seeing. I can’t be overlycritical of those who are so negative because you need only look at my similarly overly negative posting on the United forum , can’t throw stones in that glasshouse. I guess it just feels like there’s more people in here who are more negative then positive and it’s hard to engage with more optimistic movie goers who have a lower bar Like me

I don't this forum is negative at all TBH, though the more agenda-driven posting does feel that way. It's not so simple to talk about positive and negative opinions: everyone who posts here likes or loves cinema, otherwise we wouldn't post at all (obviously!). But there are too many tastes and preferences to come down with one unifying theory of cinophillia; while plenty of the films themselves can illicit both ends of the spectrum of feelings (eg: Wonder Woman 1984 was a pretty awful film, but! I enjoyed myself all the same, never actually bored by its full-blooded lunacy).

But, to be "negative" when it comes to mainstream entertainment - and obviously, this is just my view - it's born more from the frustration of knowing blockbusters can be awesome, peerless entertainment ... but also lazy, hacked products that don't respect their audience. To be critical then is to ask for something more from a medium you KNOW can do better. And yes, even from "turn your brain off" films. It's the difference between a really sloppy, soggy chip and a beautiful, crispy slice of spud (ah shíte I want chips now)

And, to throw your own acknowledgement back at you, you clearly understand this idea perfectly well, if you're posting about (Manchester?) United; presumably you know how good the team CAN be, and has been, so get upset and irritated when they don't live up to that historic precedent isn't strange or "negative" - it's born from love and support of your passion

Drumpot

pixelburp wrote: »

I don't this forum is negative at all TBH, though the more agenda-driven posting does feel that way. It's not so simple to talk about positive and negative opinions: everyone who posts here likes or loves cinema, otherwise we wouldn't post at all (obviously!). But there are too many tastes and preferences to come down with one unifying theory of cinophillia; while plenty of the films themselves can illicit both ends of the spectrum of feelings (eg: Wonder Woman 1984 was a pretty awful film, but! I enjoyed myself all the same, never actually bored by its full-blooded lunacy).

But, to be "negative" when it comes to mainstream entertainment - and obviously, this is just my view - it's born more from the frustration of knowing blockbusters can be awesome, peerless entertainment ... but also lazy, hacked products that don't respect their audience. To be critical then is to ask for something more from a medium you KNOW can do better. And yes, even from "turn your brain off" films. It's the difference between a really sloppy, soggy chip and a beautiful, crispy slice of spud (ah shíte I want chips now)

And, to throw your own acknowledgement back at you, you clearly understand this idea perfectly well, if you're posting about (Manchester?) United; presumably you know how good the team CAN be, and has been, so get upset and irritated when they don't live up to that historic precedent isn't strange or "negative" - it's born from love and support of your passion

I do indeed understand and I can relate to the almost self destructive element that comes with such expectations. It’s why I said I am fortunate to not over think movies and try to look for what can take from them and it appears to be the one interest my personality can actually take a more balanced, less emotive , relaxed appreciation.

I don’t enjoy being angry at United, a lot of it is wasted energy that doesn’t really serve any positive purpose.. I don’t take any satisfaction at all from it and I’m not so sure fellow United fans enjoy my constant complaining about the same things/issues.. lazy Hollywood or movies that don’t need to be made or sensitivity to a franchise origin movies is a similar toxic sort of fandom. I can suffer from this at times be fair but generally don’t lament too much on it.

One can try and convince oneself that having higher standards means we enjoy the good times better but that’s nonsense and/or snobbery or both. Kevin smith said it best when he said he tries to just review and discuss movies he likes. I guess that’s how I try to be in general , except movies I think are awful that I saw in cinema, like “new mutants” have gotten some of my wrath.

JP Liz V1

https://twitter.com/GeekVibesNation/status/1402980558263787521

Well I can't wait to see it on the big screen

EoinMcLovin

https://youtu.be/RXrS9foUCvI

------

EoinMcLovin

Just back from seeing this, such a fun movie. Crazy amount of gaming Easter eggs and a lot of unexpected cameos.

Spoiler Warning

Channing Tatum

was hilarious in the small scene he has midway

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117695689#Comment_117695689

Reynolds is so weird; it's like when Deadpool came out a switch went in his head that made him dive fully into this deeply meta, public version of himself. I vacillate on whether I like it or not. The actual style of humour I have limited patience for, but the guy seems genuinely likable and is having a laugh.

He always had this style from the start to be fair (you watch VanWilder or Blade 3 and the schtick is there), but the attempt to make him a "straight" Hollywood leading man was arguably binned at Deadpool, the actor fully becoming his own brand - itself a variation of Deadpools own self awareness. Don't think there has ever been Anything like it in a "leading man". Comedy acts yes, frequently, not a headline star though.

santana75

This was a lot better than I thought it would be. Really enjoyable, smart, funny and charming. This is probably the film "Ready player one" should've been. Some matrix stuff going on and everyone seems to have had a blast in making it. Definitely worth a punt

This content has been removed.

JP Liz V1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117750228#Comment_117750228

Spoiler Warning

Chris Evans and Channing Tatum

JP Liz V1

I loved it very popcorn fun enjoyable, Ryan being Ryan, loved the cameos mentioned above

JP Liz V1

As well as being the accents queen Jodie can sing too as she sings the slow version of Sweet Fantasy

I enjoyed the music in this

Shred

Just back from seeing it this evening and I really enjoyed it, it's a lot of fun with a few good laughs throughout.

Doodah7

Saw this yesterday also and really enjoyed it. Some very funny moments!

Homelander

Really enjoyed this. It's obviously daft but it has great heart and is actually a lot better than I expected, and not just because Ryan Reynold's is doing his usual charismatic schtick.

Your mileage will go a lot further if you're somewhat interested in video games, but yeah, a very fun film.

speedboatchase

Wholesome fun, with a script that doesn't pander to gamers but doesn't alienate non-gamers either. Excellent cameos too.

AMKC

Seen this today. It ok. Nothing special. In fact I would say its average at best. I will watch it again when it's on the TV in a few years do.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117755891#Comment_117755891

I disagree. I much preferred Ready Player One.

Sleepy

Enjoyable nonsense. There are plot holes you could drive a truck through but if you like Ryan Reynolds schtick, you'll get a laugh out of it.

gmisk

This is now on Disney plus I noticed must give it a spin!

Tony EH

A great idea, and doubly so if you've ever played 'Grand Theft Auto'. But it really turns to mush and is far, far, too long. Also, I got the feeling that if the scenes in Free City were actually animated, as opposed to shot straight, it would have looked a lot better and would have offset the scenes in the real world. It has a lot of humorous moments scattered here and there, mostly when you see NPC's walking down the street and in the distance there's some crazy catastrophe they are oblivious to. But it just isn't that funny.

Plus I'm really getting tired of Taika Waititi.

pixelburp

My first thought was if Shaun Levy had any say in those interstitials with real life streamers; cos the movie otherwise really leaned into some serious "haha, gamers are loner manbaby virgins who live with their mom". It was odd to have that level of authenticity, then rip it shreds elsewhere.

Spoiler Warning

The lightsaber, the internal audience all going "whaaat?? It's a lightsaber!!" made me roll my eyes so hard it gave me retinal whiplash.

Otherwise though. Fair dues I enjoyed myself and beyond the first bit mentioned, it felt like an earnest attempt to tease gaming and the culture within its MMO games. Reynolds did his schtick, if a little on autopilot and as is common now, Jodie Comer stole the show from everyone else. Definitely worse ways to spend a Sunday; the heart was in the right place, the characters all worked - so yeah. Gaming in Hollywood is slowly getting better represented

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117961173#Comment_117961173

Shave 30 minutes off this and it would have had a cracking pace. Instead these blockbusters lag out at the midway mark, for whatever reason that it keeps happening.

Also, I like Waititi, to the point he may be a man crush for me, but this was the first time his presence irritated.

flazio

It was OK. Reminded me mainly about the last two Jumanji films. Very much "if you liked those you'll like this...". The romance plot between "Keys" and Millie was very tacked on at the end. 3/5

Watched it for half an hour and turned it off

Liamalone

A group of us watched this, I was the only one left after about half an hour, I watched it to the end purely because I'm than. Twas poor.

flasher0030

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999923#Comment_117999923

Presume you turned it off cause you thought it was beyond rubbish. If you genuinely thought that, I'd be interested to see what you actually considered entertaining.

Free guy is no masterpiece, but I cannot see how someone could watch it and not find it somewhat entertaining. I know we all have different tastes etc. and it won't win any oscars; but I cannot see how it is a film where you invest half hour of your day to watch part of it, and not follow through after that. You are effectively after wasting half hour of your time, unless you do follow through. It's not that it's boring. It is kinda funny in parts, unless you have no sense of humour. It's not a slow film. If it was something like Lincoln, or There will be blood or something at a snails pace where the viewer goes into it in a tired type mindframe, then it may be tempting to switch off. Hard to fathom.

Greyfox

Wow, just watched it now, definitely the film of the year for me. Great performances from Jodi Cormer and Ryan Reynolds and a very well written film.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118023116#Comment_118023116

So by your estimation, having wasted a half hour, you think I should waste more time to justify what was already wasted. 🤣

dubstepper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117750861#Comment_117750861

This. Ryan Reynolds has become something other than an actor in the sense of playing a part. He almost always brings the RR style of tongue in cheek/knowing nods to the audience type of acting. While it was good with Deadpool, he needs to reign it back in now.

Tom Mann Centuria

It was fine, few chuckles and my (teenage) kids enjoyed it. Wouldn't be in a hurry to watch it again but perfectly fine. Could have done without the YouTube or whatever streamers stupid reaction scenes though.

Did find the scenes quite near the end where through the whole film we're told Guy has thought of everything himself, it's all him, he's sentient, to hold on a minute, he thinks this one particular thing about this one particular person because of coding by someone else a bit jarring but very predicable for plot purposes.

Not that I am bothered by a bit of swearing but was there an f bomb in there, or did I imagine it? Surprised if there was since Disney only have it as 12+ on the Disney Plus app.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118032461#Comment_118032461

IIRC the PG12 rating allows for one F bomb.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118032409#Comment_118032409

I suppose for him it works, so why change? The last time he tried a different, serious role it bombed hard so maybe he just reckons it's not worth the effort diversifying - or just doesn't want to. He does seem to enjoy "being" Deadpool.