Although Pixels (PG-13) seems to be made for kids, this is really a movie for the parents. Old school "arcaders" will recognize and remember the games, people, music, and references much more than any of today's "gamers" will!
Synopsis: When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth using the strategies and challenges of the games. The military is ill-equipped to respond, so the President calls on his childhood best friend, Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), a former arcade game prodigy. Brenner recruits conspiracy-theorist Ludlow (Josh Gad) and mullet-sporting Eddie "The Fireblaster" Plant (Peter Dinklage) to help him on his mission, and together they must beat the aliens to save the world.
Based on a 2010 short, Pixels is science fiction, action, and comedy all rolled into one. The movie is full of special effects featuring giant-sized arcade icons trying to destroy the world. We saw the 3D version and the effects were outstanding. It really did seem like the video games came to life! My favorite scene was when the streets of New York City transformed into a real-life Pac-Man game. The arcaders drive Mini Coopers (blue, red, pink, and orange, of course) to represent the ghosts which, in this version of the game, are the good guys, and Brenner pulls off a crazy stunt to defeat the game. The audience actually began cheering!
Adam Sandler movies tend to have a few recurring themes: humor that is both juvenile and laugh-out-loud funny; random cameos from former superstars; a man-child protagonist who has failed to reach his full potential and is challenged to save the day; an out-of-his-league woman with whom he trades insults until they realize they are falling for each other; and a love of all things 80s. If you like Adam Sandler movies (which I do for the most part), you will love this movie ... it sticks with the formula that keeps us fans coming back time and time again!
Pixels is the funniest family film we've seen so far this year. Although my kids didn't get most of the references, they loved the movie, laughed a lot (almost as much as my hubby and me), and thought the action was "super awesome!" I doubt it will win any awards and it really hasn't been received well by critics, but I thought it was great, silly, family fun!
Both gamers (kids) and arcaders (adults) will enjoy this movie. It is rated PG-13 for language and mild violence, but I felt comfortable watching it with my 9- and 11-year-old boys. Pixels is now playing in theaters nationwide.
Watch the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAHprLW48no
