Misinterpretation always spells problems

Bakang Israel | Friday July 31, 2015 12:06

 

When aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults.

President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call his childhood best friend, ’80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Sandler), now a home theatre installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. There is a perception that gaming and TV consoles are for children, however, Pixels redefines that notion as comedians Sandler and James hilariously play games as if their lives depend on it. This movie is epic because it features stars from hit movies such as Mr. Deeds, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Wedding Ringer as well as Game of Thrones series.

 Pixels is the work of the creative, Chris Columbus. Are you wondering who this director is? Well he serenaded us way back with the then blockbuster comedy, Home Alone, in the 90s.

We see arcade games like Bricklayer being our ruthless alien invaders plotting the destruction of the planet, which was something new as compared to most Sci-fi and alien invasion films. The movie is also funnier than other alien comedies for example, Paul and Men In Black. Interestingly, the film captures the lives of a group of infamous school nerds who grow up to be successful. One of them becomes president Cooper (Kevin James), and funny enough an illiterate president for that matter. He gets mocked and bullied by five year olds during a kindergarten class visit, after failing to read properly and yelling at a little girl. It is also fascinating to watch a president having to explain to the nation that a country is under attack from a video game. To add more sting to that, the president hangs around with an old buddy who is now a repair man Brenner played by Adam Sandler. The movie has a bit of action; since this is a comedy the level of action is not that fierce but rather amusing. Movie audience gets thrilled with a dose of fast and furious driving when a team of earth’s ultimate gamers race around New York City rolling in Mini Coopers fighting against Pac-Man. Brenner becomes one of the good fighters, shooting down Pixels with a strong light beam gun, which is quite reminiscent to Star Wars technology.

Pixels is somewhat engaging in the sense that it is also a romantic flick as we see Adam Sandler and Michelle Monaghan (Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten) getting cozy with one another in the midst of a war. Sandler tries to steal the show with a rather ambitious move seeking a first sight kiss from Violet, but he lands in hot water because of his low life status. It gets interesting once Violet realises that Brenner is a friend of the President. The movie is also made witty by the level of star power of comedy icons involved, Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage as well as Josh Gad. Tennis star Serena Williams also makes cameo appearances.

The movie explores themes of great significance like friendship, love and liberty. Most importantly the film taps into interpretation, depicting that if a message is misunderstood it can have serious ramifications. Lastly yours truly alongside the gathered audience enjoyed this comedy most importantly because of its humour for instance: Brenner becomes sarcastic with Violet “I thought you have a pot belly with a turkey neck, but to my surprise you are hot.”

Reception

This Comedy has certainly left a mark in cinemas across the world for greater overall box office chart performances. After a week in circuit it has now pocketed $52 million dollars after opening at weekend sales of $24 million and it certainly is a positive reception as it was produced with only $88 million.

Moving rating: 7/10.

 

 

Movie: Pixels

Genre: Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi| Romance

Duration: 1hour 45 mins

Age Restriction: 13

Release Date:  24 July 2015  

Director: Chris Columbus

Main Cast: Adam Sandler (Brenner), Kevin James (Cooper), Michelle Monaghan (Violet) and Peter Dinklage (Eddie) Josh Gad (Ludlow)

New movies leading the box office chart:

1.Ant-Man

2.Pixels

3.Minions

4.Trainwreck

5.Southpaw