FilmSnobReviews

Title: Free Guy
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

What It Is: Guy is an NPC (non-playable character) inside the largest online video game. Except he doesn’t that. The “creator” of this game is the off-the-wall Antwan. Turns out Antwan stole the main code for the game from Millie (Comer) and Keys (Joe Keery) forcing Keys to work and maintain the game that was stolen from him. When Guy begins to realize that he can do more than what he’s been instructed to he starts to find a way to save the game and get the girl.

What We Think: This is one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in all of 2021. I loved the pacing, which I know I mention from time to time. This didn’t feel like a 2 hour movie. It felt closer to 90 mins and it was fun throughout. Channing Tatum as a PCA (player controlled avatar) is hilarious and steals every scene he’s in. This is Reynolds’ movie though. His charisma permeates within every frame and without him this film probably doesn’t shine near as bright. Shawn Levy is always so good with the small moments in his films. Look at something like This is Where I Leave You there are small moments in it that make the movie as a whole better. With this movie the ending is so good and somewhat underestimated. It’s something that MAYBE you saw coming but more then likely you didn’t and it’s all the better for it.

Our Grade: B+, Check this one out! It’s one of Reynolds’ funnier recent displays and all the pop culture references really keep the film funny even if they may not age well. This is a wonderfully funny, keenly directed comedy that never takes itself seriously. Even Taika Waititi is straight up just having himself a ball. I sincerely believe you’ll all love the film. So go and check it out. It isn’t perfect but it’s great and that’s all you can really do with the material here.