Gamer (2009)

Director: Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor
Release Date: September 4, 2009
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
MPAA: Rated R
Lionsgate



The ORB's take: I have seen and wasted my time on a lot worse movies than this - it's about mind control, what did I expect.

Movie Review:
This is a sad attempt at a modern rehash of the 1987 "The Running Man". On paper the plot line and concept sounds like it could be interesting, but some things are better left on paper or in someone's head. The expectations of great graphics in this film was assumed as well, but instead ends up producing mostly grainy, choppy images. "Gerald Butler" seems to be in every movie coming out this year - three of them in 2009 - hopefully his next film due out in a few weeks will be worth our time. This movie is about a television show that a smart computer programmer came up with after developing a mind control system that allows you to control humans. The game involves convicts that are on death row and places them in suburban war type scenarios. They are controlled by gamers that move them around the different stages and get them through the adrenaline, wanna-be "live" video-game levels to live for another stage. The goal for the convict is to survive an impossible amount of stages and he will be set free of his death row sentence. A modern day remake of "The Running Man" would, could, and should work, but the attempt here involves stupid one-liners, and boring virtual-world concepts. Wait for the TNT movie special or when it shows up on HBO. If you enjoy the "Crank" franchise you will probably enjoy this flick as well.

What to Watch For: The credits.

You Might If You Like These:
The Running Man
Crank


Official Gamer (2009) Site
IMDB