Gamer

Gamer 2009
Directors: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor
Writers: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor
Starring Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Amber Valetta, Kyra Sedgwick, Logan Lerman, Alison Lohman, Terry Crews, Ludacris, Aaron Yoo, Zoe Bell, John Leguizamo, Keith David and Lloyd Kaufman

The world of reality TV programming and video games come together in a kinetic and highly entertaining SF action film. This is a film by Neveldine/Taylor, the same creative minds that brought us the Crank films and the highly underrated horror film Pathology. The kinetic camera work that is their trademark is here too, especially during the battle scenes which look like something from a live version of Call of Duty. This is a film that has a message and a heart to it as well. It can be seen as a romance or even a cyberpunkish SF film with the use of actual human beings as avatars in a Sim like game. The action is fast and furious and the film also has some definite touches of black humor that work really well with the subject matter. The idea of the video game industry taking over the world is a thought that anyone can relate too, especially in the case how video games are becoming more real and life like than movies. The cast chosen for the film is outstanding. Butler is a solid action hero and Hall is a insidious villain that brings to shades of Gene Hackman's performance of Lex Luthor. This is a film that reminds me a lot of The Running Man, it is just much more fast paced, brutal and smart about what it is doing.
The plot basics are this, it is the near future and video games have really taken over as the main form of entertainment. The most popular one is called Slayers and it allows a player to use a convicted killer as a character and controls them to maim and kill to reach the next level. The leading player (Lehrman) controls Kable (Butler) who is 3 victories away from being the first Slayer to be granted his freedom. The creator of the game, Ken Castle (Hall) does not want this to happen, for reasons only he and Kable knows and so he makes plans to eradicate Kable before that can happen. Kable knows that he is gunning against him and decides to take an offer from a underground revolution band and plans his escape and to reunite with his family. Thing will not be that easy as Castle guns for him and he will need all his skill and expertise to survive.
This is a rousing and smart SF action film. The direction by Neveldine/Taylor is fast and frenetic especially during the battle scenes. It is almost like the next step in what Sam Raimi does with his camera work. One of the best examples of this is the fight Kable has with Cast;e's army of clones. The fight is fast and brutal and over before you know it. The way how the battle scenes are just like a video game with all the icons on the screen is done very well too and very believable. The script is very intelligent and it has a wry sense of humor too. Any of the scenes with Castle seem to have a wink to them and that makes the film all the more entertaining. Kable is a strong and vital protagonist and you really sympathize with him and want him to succeed against all the odds that are facing him. The cast is exceptional. Butler is amazing, with just his eyes he is able to convey his emotions without uttering a word. This film's best performance belongs to Hall though. He is just so grandiose and over the top in his performance. Especially in the dancing and singing scene and his homage to Bruce Lee during the climax. Amber Valetta was also good as Kable's wife who has to do many unsavory things just to keep going on. The small role that Alison Lohman plays is superb too, she really plays a street tough ably well. Kyra Sedgwick is another performer who plays her role over the top and it really pays off. Terry Crews plays a very creepy villain as Hackman and he definitely puts you on the edge whenever he is on screen. The SFX and effects of the film are outstanding. There is much grue sprayed throughout and it is done very realistically. The fight between Crews and Butler is a perfect example of this. The soundtrack is well suited for the film, the use of The Bloodhound Gang and Marilyn Manson is perfect for the kinetic and crazed feel of the film. This is definitely one of the best SF action films I have seen in awhile, it puts films like Terminator: Salvation to shame.
This one gets 5 out of 5