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Fraggle Lite |
Date: 2010-01-25

I could give a synopsis of the film but there are plenty so far. So I'll fill in where the other reviews seem to lack.

Gamer is filmed in basically 3 different settings: SLAYERS game world (think call of duty style first person shooter, very dark), SOCIETY game world (The Sims/Second Life type world, very colorful), and reality (which is nowhere near as dark or bright as the gamer world, no suprise).

In my own opinion, I think this was a gamer's game. Why? Because, first and formost, this is like the future wave of gaming, true 3 dimensional gaming (don't believe me, go look at Project Natal by Microsoft or the type of gaming Xbox envisions in the future-- THE ISLAND quite blatantly shows xbox's projections)
Yes, you had the "gratuitous violence" of SLAYERS that you would expect if it was real humans participating in the game, because that's what it is. You have the perversity in SOCIETY that is rampant in SIMS and SECOND LIFE if they could get away with it (come on, who doesn't try to get the Sims to make WooHoo at least once, be honest!) and the creepy 500lb guy pretending to be a hot young chick that EVERYONE hears about on the online world.

You have a genius human being who is a little power mad and more than just a little crazy and self absorbed. Which isn't bad until you try taking over the world. You have a hard yet loving hero who was wrongly accused. A wife from who everything was ripped away from her and lives a life of destitution and prostitution. There's even a small group of people who rebel and fight the system, trying to overthrow "the man". And there's the gamers, from the kid controlling the hero to the really creepy fat guy who play games for different reasons: fun, control, getting their kicks. But all are desensitized to the games and the fact that these are real actual people they controlling and forcing to do what they (the gamers) wish while (the gamers) themselves are safe and comfortable at home. And yes, there were some cliche moments and the side stories weren't ever really gone into exhaustive detail about. Much like cut-scenes in a video game actually. It was furthering one story line, one hero, one main plotline, to defeat one mega-boss at the very end. Try not to kill too many civilians on the way there.

It was horrifying at points. I'm not going to lie, I was seriously disturbed by SOCIETY. But isn't that what humans do? I'm not saying everyone or even a majority, but some people in society are obsessed with situations of a sexual nature and it's represented in video games (often rated M for Mature, but some slide under the radar or be easily perverted) and in real life as well (the booming porn industry). And the violence in society was that much more horrifying because the actors couldn't even protect themselves from it and the gamers controlling them didn't even bother protecting them. SLAYERS? It was pretty gory and gruesome, but the horrifying part there wasn't the slayers themselves, it was all the non-fighters who only had to survive one game for freedom. They didn't have a player to control them, couldn't defend themselves or break away from their programming. None of them ever survived or made it.

This was filmed in with RED ONE cameras, which are just freakishly amazing in the fine details (digital stills instead of 35mm, ). So visually, content aside, the shots were so detailed and amazing. One reviewer did mention about the tatoo on his arm at the beginning of the film which you couldn't read until nearer the end, but it seemed more of an intentional focus issue, as when they defocused on John Leguizamo's face severely in the jail, because he was a dead man. When the tatoo was next really shown on, it was focused on severely so that you could see and appreciate the message later on. Yes, the fact that the makers of CRANK is evidenced clearly in some scenes, so if you suffer from seizures or epilesy or anything like that, do not suggest.

And the dance scene was perfect for the character who did it by the way! Because all of it truly WAS a game to him. He didn't care about anything but seeing things happen that he wanted to see happen. (sorry, had to mention it)

If you refuse to play violent video games, avoid morally disturbing images, or wondering if this is something you want your 15 year old to see, don't. Just NO, don't watch it, don't rent it, have nothing to do with it because you will end up back at this review page leaving a bad review and you are not the intended audience (no offense).

I don't like morally disturbing images (I was kinda doing the horrified peeking-through-fingers before ducking behind my hoodie at some parts), don't really play uber violent games (I like multiplayer First Person Shooters but don't really play the campaigns or the GTA series), and I haven't been 18 for quite some time.

Who was it that said you could judge a society by the games we play? Isn't it true, at least to some degree? Or by the internet sites we visit, the people we interact with in life, and what we choose to do with the knowledge we have? Does that not have any bearing on that judgement?

I think it was an excellent movie. Not because I agreed with everything that happened in it or thought the characters/acting was superb (though the actors did a very good job in this video game of a movie). But this movie actually makes one, especially the intelligent gamers out there, think for a moment about how far we are willing to go for our entertainment. Definately worth watching.

A Customer |
Date: 2010-01-21

Neveldine/Taylor Cranked out this Sci-fi action film about a plugged in future and the games they play. Looking and sounding flashy, trashy and rude; it is a slick demo disk with body parts, live and lost. Fun, if you get in the spirit. Shallow, graphic, CGI 4 fun, over the top and under the radar. And it's decent fun... for some.
BD is so powerful; it will make up for any other discs that don't cut it.

Daniel A. Foster |
Date: 2010-01-18

Gerard Butler (300), Michael C. Hall (DEXTER), Amber Valletta (THE SPY NEXT DOOR), Ludacris (ROCK N ROLLA), Logan Lerman (HOOT), Alison Lohman (BIG FISH), Terry Crews (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS), Aaron Yoo (21), Milo Ventimiglia (HEROES), Nikita & Jade Ramsey (ALL ABOUT EVIL), Brighid Fleming (HEARTS OF DESIRE), Johnny Whitworth (3:10 TO YUMA), Kyra Sedgwick (THE CLOSER) and John Leguizamo (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO & JULIET) star in my favorite Gerard Butler cult classic; GAMER. Dispite the negative reviews, I loved this movie for its action and special effects. The part where Ken Castle sings a Frank Sinatra song while Kable is fighting prison inmates is hilarious and the rest is just an adrenaline pumped roller coaster at the speed of Superman flying through the universe, 200 times. I don't want to spoil more but just ignore the negative reviews and give it a view if you can. Fun movie for 300 fans and Gerard Butler fans. I am purchasing this January 19th and I will cherish it. As always, infinity out of infinity out of a trillion infinity star rating. PEACE out!

Steve Kuehl |
Date: 2010-01-16

This is one of those films where you skip the story but you own the BD because there is so much to see and reference. Admittedly, a very poor script and weak plot, but once again this is about watching a violent music video mash of two A-list actors doing their thing - and do they ever.

The picture quality does not always get the longest time to be tested, but when the camera holds still long enough (I would have to say there is maybe five still shots in the whole film) the clarity is great - reference the eye scene in the Society chapter, outstanding. The 7.1 DTS is stellar, with more references than I have time to list. Lots of extras, including:

* Inside Gamer, 3 parts totaling 79 minutes. Mostly in hidef clarity, covering an array of production material, laden towards the interview style more than scene footage.
* First person shooter, 16:45 minutes. Covers the camera work and kinds of cameras used, I enjoy these kinds.
* Unseen trailer. Almost a red band trailer but would have been more representative of the film.
* Icon option, 132 minutes. Essentially the film with commentary, but in a PiP style, or in some cases a walk-on presentation by the dynamic duo (creators). They control the speed of the film also, sometimes rewinding it as they talk or pausing it - hence the longer version of a 94-minute film. You have to really be into these guys for this option.
* Cheat codes, turned on/off. As you watch the film, an icon appears you can select a different PiP crew narrative (editing, music, filming, effects, stunts, etc.) and the relative crew member will describe some behind the scenes stuff for that moment. Had to select all five for the Society sequence - great scene.
* BD Touch. Material related to portable and apps stuff. Have not downloaded/tried any of this new thing yet.
* LG Live. Allows you to turn on (have to have a live network connection) gadgets that operate during menu manipulation. Includes live weather/temp for your town, current time and a live news feed for all stuff movie related. They keep enough space on the screen that it allows you to surf through everything on the menu while all of these gadgets are activated.
* Metamenu. Have to go to their website to download some new menu gadgetry, more iPhone/iPod stuff, did not get to it.
* DBox - did not use it.
* Disc 2 is the dig copy.

Region A coded, English and Spanish subs with Spanish 5.1 audio. If you did not like these guys other films (Crank 1 & 2) and do not want to see gratuitous violence and depravity - then skip this one. If you want a nice test for your home theater then I do not think you will be disappointed. 2.5 for the film, 2 for the extras and BD quality and .5 for another outstanding performance by Hall - he is so on top of his game right now, awesome actor.

Taniel |
Date: 2010-01-24

it's got all the gamer's whining. My screen is fuzzy in the future.
well gamers the screen is fuzzy cuz there tryin to show you that Tillman, is his own person, & Is being controlled by outside forces.
How else are u going seperate the gaming world, from the realworld U damned dirty ape.

Come on people are being way to hard on this movie, I thought it was alot of fun.
and will watch it more than once. I also thought it was cool Lloyd Kaufman, made an appearance, Go Tromaville.

i can understand if u don't like games,blood,action or nudity.
that ur not gonna like this one.

But some of us do!! so don't screw it up for everyone.-PIGS

i would only give the movie 4 stars. but it got an extra 1 from me. cuz of peoples whining, alone.