Gamer (BD)
The team of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, who directed flicks such as “Crank” (2006) and “Crank 2: High Voltage” (2009), are back again, in a rip-roaring, mindless action flick, “Gamer” (2009). All three movies have a common attribute in their storytelling in that the main protagonist is fighting to stay alive through a series of macabre, violent events. Nothing has changed since their last effort, “Crank 2,” and this time it is bigger and more badass than ever before.
In one possible alternate future, Ken Castle (Michael C Hall) has a spawned a world of real-life gamers where a team of condemned criminals called “Slayers” are trying to survive thirty deadly levels, at the end of which only one player will survive. Any player surviving the thirty rounds will receive a full pardon for his crimes. One such super-soldier, Kable (Gerard Butler), has survived twenty-seven rounds and is almost at the last leg to his freedom. However, he decides to go against the system.
Meanwhile, in the technology created by Castle, gamers pay a subscription fee to control the minds of these players in a community called “Society.” Simon (Logan Lerman) has controlled Kable’s brain through twenty-seven rounds, more than any other “Society” gamer. Because of the popularity of “Slayers” and “Society,” Castle has become a millionaire and a sensation in the media world. Along the way, it is revealed that Kable’s wife, Angie (Amber Valletta) is also controlled by “Society” gamers. With the help of the rebel leader Humanz (Ludacris), Kable searches for his missing wife and daughter and that ultimately leads him to the final encounter with Castle.
The opening scene takes you right to the middle of the action and is clearly motivated by modern first-person action games such as “Gears of War,” “Call of Duty,” and “Killzone.” It is one of the best scenes in the movie--pulsating, nerve-racking, and beautifully choreographed. In fact, after watching the opening segment, I could not help think that I was playing a video game. The concept of “Slayers” is stylistically realized on the screen, although it resembles the model of the online gaming community where a team is rampaging through a number of levels to complete a mission. Indeed, the main motive is to stay alive and survive these deadly levels.
However, “Gamer” succeeds in presenting only a half-baked commentary on the video-game culture prominent in our society. It also highlights the obsession of media giants and their audience with reality TV shows. Mix this with the virtual gaming world where real-time actions are controlled by corporations and its players, and you have an end product called “Gamer.” Nonetheless, the movie never takes itself too seriously with this concept.
In spite of incorporating a unique concept in its storyline, “Gamer” gets bogged down by over-the-top violence that seems not to end until the final credits roll. The characters are underdeveloped, with the story hardly finding its footing during the entire duration. Michael C. Hall (“Six Feet Under,” “Dexter”) definitely deserved more screen time and is wasted in the movie. Considering that he plays one of the best characters on TV in recent years in the “Dexter” series, the underwhelming script does not utilize his acting acumen to its full potential. His poorly conceived character is rather reduced to that of a stereotypical villainous goon.
In addition, the script lacks details on how he became a millionaire and how he so rapidly ascended to power in the media world. Consequently, his character is nowhere as wicked as you would normally expect from a person who plays a versatile serial killer in “Dexter.” The only bright aspect in the acting department is the character of Angie, played by Amber Valletta. The character is dark and depressing, which is well represented by Valletta. The movie might have benefited had the screenwriters provided enough detail on the world of technical corporations, its programmers, and federal agencies. As it turns out, the interplay between the “Slayers” and the evil corporations is rather mismatched.
After having watched “Death Race” and “Gamer” in the same week, I could not help draw similarities between the two movies. Both movies had convicts, corporations, federal prisons, and real-time action where characters were trying to stay alive. However, “Death Race” succeeds to some extent in its execution of characters, the aspect in which “Gamer” fails miserably. The investment of an extra ten or fifteen minutes by the writers in setting up the characters would have provided the necessary balance between story and action.
Video:
Lionsgate has rendered a top-notch Blu-ray high-def transfer in the 1.85:1 widescreen format, encoded in an AVC format that averages about 20 -25 Mpbs. I noticed grain to be mildly evident in the dark and gloomy scenes, which is probably what the directors intended. The grain provides a more film-like experience, especially for "Gamer," where the gritty look is necessary for the overall film composition. The print is clear of any blemishes for its entire running time. There are no bright colors in the entire movie, and the color palette mainly consists of greys and blacks.
Audio:
Lionsgate has included a 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio stream on this disc. Being an action movie, sound plays a vital role in experiencing "Gamer," and this DTS-HD MA audio stream delivers on all fronts. The gunshots are strong and vibrant. The midrange dialogue gets a boost. And there are a lot of scenes in which all the channels are utilized to their full extent. Overall, a perfect image is equally supported by this competent audio stream.
Extras:
First, we have an audio commentary by the filmmakers and cast members where the actors discuss specifically their parts in the film. The filmmakers provide set details and how the world of “Gamers” was created
Next, we have “Inside the Game” (eighty minutes, 1080p), a making-of documentary that is a series of interviews with filmmakers, writers, producer, composers, and cast. Basically, this is a regular making-of documentary with interesting tidbits about the filming process, locations, and the concept of the movie. The documentary is divided into three segments.
Following the documentary is a featurette called “First Person Shooter: The Evolution of Red” (sixteen minutes, 1080p) in which directors explain how they shot movie using different cameras. They provide detailed insight on a special camera called “Red.”
Finishing off the extras, we have a set of two theatrical trailers.
Parting thoughts:
The promise shown by the opening act quickly fizzles out under the weight of gratuitous violence and a poor screenplay. Directors Neveldine and Taylor seem to be fascinated by vital organs. So far, we have witnessed the protagonists of “Crank” and “Gamer” movies trying to save their heart and brain respectively. You can very well guess what is next to come from this team. I think Neveldine and Taylor may have lost so much of their cognitive abilities with this futile effort that I am willing to put them on the list of directors to avoid. I am impressed by Neveldine’s honesty that their movies torture the audience. This movie truly exemplifies his point. In the end, “Gamer” is a fierce and senseless assault on your sensory organs.
Rating
Movie = 4/10
Video = 9/10
Audio = 10/10
Extras = 6/10
In one possible alternate future, Ken Castle (Michael C Hall) has a spawned a world of real-life gamers where a team of condemned criminals called “Slayers” are trying to survive thirty deadly levels, at the end of which only one player will survive. Any player surviving the thirty rounds will receive a full pardon for his crimes. One such super-soldier, Kable (Gerard Butler), has survived twenty-seven rounds and is almost at the last leg to his freedom. However, he decides to go against the system.
Meanwhile, in the technology created by Castle, gamers pay a subscription fee to control the minds of these players in a community called “Society.” Simon (Logan Lerman) has controlled Kable’s brain through twenty-seven rounds, more than any other “Society” gamer. Because of the popularity of “Slayers” and “Society,” Castle has become a millionaire and a sensation in the media world. Along the way, it is revealed that Kable’s wife, Angie (Amber Valletta) is also controlled by “Society” gamers. With the help of the rebel leader Humanz (Ludacris), Kable searches for his missing wife and daughter and that ultimately leads him to the final encounter with Castle.
The opening scene takes you right to the middle of the action and is clearly motivated by modern first-person action games such as “Gears of War,” “Call of Duty,” and “Killzone.” It is one of the best scenes in the movie--pulsating, nerve-racking, and beautifully choreographed. In fact, after watching the opening segment, I could not help think that I was playing a video game. The concept of “Slayers” is stylistically realized on the screen, although it resembles the model of the online gaming community where a team is rampaging through a number of levels to complete a mission. Indeed, the main motive is to stay alive and survive these deadly levels.
However, “Gamer” succeeds in presenting only a half-baked commentary on the video-game culture prominent in our society. It also highlights the obsession of media giants and their audience with reality TV shows. Mix this with the virtual gaming world where real-time actions are controlled by corporations and its players, and you have an end product called “Gamer.” Nonetheless, the movie never takes itself too seriously with this concept.
In spite of incorporating a unique concept in its storyline, “Gamer” gets bogged down by over-the-top violence that seems not to end until the final credits roll. The characters are underdeveloped, with the story hardly finding its footing during the entire duration. Michael C. Hall (“Six Feet Under,” “Dexter”) definitely deserved more screen time and is wasted in the movie. Considering that he plays one of the best characters on TV in recent years in the “Dexter” series, the underwhelming script does not utilize his acting acumen to its full potential. His poorly conceived character is rather reduced to that of a stereotypical villainous goon.
In addition, the script lacks details on how he became a millionaire and how he so rapidly ascended to power in the media world. Consequently, his character is nowhere as wicked as you would normally expect from a person who plays a versatile serial killer in “Dexter.” The only bright aspect in the acting department is the character of Angie, played by Amber Valletta. The character is dark and depressing, which is well represented by Valletta. The movie might have benefited had the screenwriters provided enough detail on the world of technical corporations, its programmers, and federal agencies. As it turns out, the interplay between the “Slayers” and the evil corporations is rather mismatched.
After having watched “Death Race” and “Gamer” in the same week, I could not help draw similarities between the two movies. Both movies had convicts, corporations, federal prisons, and real-time action where characters were trying to stay alive. However, “Death Race” succeeds to some extent in its execution of characters, the aspect in which “Gamer” fails miserably. The investment of an extra ten or fifteen minutes by the writers in setting up the characters would have provided the necessary balance between story and action.
Video:
Lionsgate has rendered a top-notch Blu-ray high-def transfer in the 1.85:1 widescreen format, encoded in an AVC format that averages about 20 -25 Mpbs. I noticed grain to be mildly evident in the dark and gloomy scenes, which is probably what the directors intended. The grain provides a more film-like experience, especially for "Gamer," where the gritty look is necessary for the overall film composition. The print is clear of any blemishes for its entire running time. There are no bright colors in the entire movie, and the color palette mainly consists of greys and blacks.
Audio:
Lionsgate has included a 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio stream on this disc. Being an action movie, sound plays a vital role in experiencing "Gamer," and this DTS-HD MA audio stream delivers on all fronts. The gunshots are strong and vibrant. The midrange dialogue gets a boost. And there are a lot of scenes in which all the channels are utilized to their full extent. Overall, a perfect image is equally supported by this competent audio stream.
Extras:
First, we have an audio commentary by the filmmakers and cast members where the actors discuss specifically their parts in the film. The filmmakers provide set details and how the world of “Gamers” was created
Next, we have “Inside the Game” (eighty minutes, 1080p), a making-of documentary that is a series of interviews with filmmakers, writers, producer, composers, and cast. Basically, this is a regular making-of documentary with interesting tidbits about the filming process, locations, and the concept of the movie. The documentary is divided into three segments.
Following the documentary is a featurette called “First Person Shooter: The Evolution of Red” (sixteen minutes, 1080p) in which directors explain how they shot movie using different cameras. They provide detailed insight on a special camera called “Red.”
Finishing off the extras, we have a set of two theatrical trailers.
Parting thoughts:
The promise shown by the opening act quickly fizzles out under the weight of gratuitous violence and a poor screenplay. Directors Neveldine and Taylor seem to be fascinated by vital organs. So far, we have witnessed the protagonists of “Crank” and “Gamer” movies trying to save their heart and brain respectively. You can very well guess what is next to come from this team. I think Neveldine and Taylor may have lost so much of their cognitive abilities with this futile effort that I am willing to put them on the list of directors to avoid. I am impressed by Neveldine’s honesty that their movies torture the audience. This movie truly exemplifies his point. In the end, “Gamer” is a fierce and senseless assault on your sensory organs.
Rating
Movie = 4/10
Video = 9/10
Audio = 10/10
Extras = 6/10
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