Only the arcaders can stop this threat in a life or death game
This film begins in a simple time. A moment in history when video games were played in arcades and those who played them well were respected and became masters of the classics like Pac-Man , Donkey Kong, Space Invaders and other well known video games. They were played with quarters and there was a degree of skill that is absent from the modern video game. To truly master them you had to look closer and figure out a pattern, only then would you become victorious. It was a better time in this country and one that Pixels plans on taking viewers back to in a powerful way.
Travel back to 1982 when two boys Will Cooper and Sam Brenner decide to go to their local arcade to play some well video games. The atmosphere is full of flashing lights and awesome tunes. Sam is a local master who can tackle any game and get the high score. Will knows that Sam is the best and has real potential to achieve great things. These two best friends attend a regional video game tournament where there are plans to send footage from the games out into space with help from NASA with hopes to reach alien life.
Flash forward to over 30 years later, and things haven’t turned out that good for Sam. He works a dead end job and is not happy about it. His best friend Will is doing much better with a very high ranking government position but he too is a laughing stock to the American public. But when a peculiar attack happens Will decides action must be taken, but it is unlike any foe the world has ever dealt with. It is a strange alien species who took the video of the arcade games as an act of war and have decided to retaliate as some familiar and very dangerous characters.
The only people who can stop this threat are some unlikely heroes. Sam enlists the help of Eddie Plant and Ludlow Lamonsoff to stop these beings from destroying the whole planet. What do these beings want? Where will they attack and when? Is there any way to stop them? And will this unlikely band of gamers find a way to stop their plans in time?
The special effects in this film are wonderful. The game characters look just like they did over 30 years ago and this will help revive old memories for many gamers of fun times in the arcade. The cast work really well together with old friends and new coming together to make a different type of science fiction movie. But the thing that makes this a really good film is the soundtrack. All of the songs come from the 1980’s and fit perfectly in every scene. They also help add to many scenes lifting them up to another level and making them one that will stick in viewers memories long after the film is over.
Being a gamer myself there is little wrong with this movie. Even though most of these games came out before my time there is something about them being brought this way that make this a really good film. This picture deserves 9/10. Not only will nerdy people and gamers like it, but kids will enjoy it too. There is an old game character that shows up that will have children laughing at their antics and the silly things they say.
But the film will not be for everyone. Those who didn’t live in the 1980’s may not appreciate this movie much and could find it boring. The film starts off slow and this can bring feelings of boredom during the first act. But once the attacks begin there is not a dull moment until the final showdown. The comedy here is new and something that has not been done to death which is a welcome change from the other movies Sandler has done lately.He is glad to share the stage which makes it one of his best films in recent years.
If you are looking for a fun comedy to see with your friends go out and watch this movie. If you are looking for a new breed of Sci Fi this is the film to pick. The story is unique and the 3D really makes many scenes jump off the sceen. Take the gamers you know to this movie they will enjoy every nostalgia filled minute.
View the trailer here: