Review of Pixels (2010) by Nick M — 29 Nov 2015
The concept for "Pixels" is ingenious and out of this world: A group of talented arcade gamers team up to take down a hostile video game-like alien invasion after misinterpreting their attempts at extraterrestrial communication as a declaration of war.
The potential for such a premise could have been extraordinary, especially with the creative direction of Chris Columbus (The first two "Harry Potter" films.) However, the nostalgia in "Pixels" can only hold a viewer for so long before it's true disguise is made known: This is another Adam Sandler comedy disguised as an "Independence Day/Wreck It Ralph" type vehicle.
Nearly all the humor does not work in "Pixels", coming off as forced or just completely unfunny. From the opening scene, the humor comes off as creepy and unnerving, with Sandler giving in a "phoned in" performance.
(Even the surprisingly serious scene of Michelle Monaghan's grim response of dealing with a divorce comes off as unsettling and completely uncomfortable.) The writing is childish and actors like Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad do the best with what they are given but their characters come off as annoying or too silly.
The graphics look amazing and the action set pieces are a thrill to watch; (Particularly the Pac-Man chase sequence) They are entertaining to watch and bring out the same retro fun its arcade predecessors exhibit.
"Pixels" relies on the nostalgia, as well as 80's pop culture, to carry out the movie when it can only do so much. Sandler is miscast and the comedy simply does not work. The film is rated PG-13 but is marketed as something for young children/teenagers to watch.
(The inclusion of arcade games is supposed to make it more enjoyable for adults but with humor that is absurd and targeted for children??) "Pixels" is wasted potential: Chris Columbus' magical sense of direction could have made this adaptation of Patrick Jean's short film an incredible, thrilling summer blockbuster but instead we are revisiting the "same old" Sandler shtick.
2.1/5.
This review of Pixels (2010) was written by Nick M on 29 Nov 2015.
Pixels has generally received mixed reviews.
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