Free Guy (2021) is a movie that is almost pure concept: What if Ryan Reynolds was an NPC in a computer who became aware? If you think you will find that funny, you're probably right. If not, how about if I tell you Taika Waititi is in it?
Like I say, Reynolds is a non-playable character (NPC) in a computer game, Free City. Everyday he gets up, has a great cup of coffee, and goes to work at the bank with his buddy Lil Rel Howery, the security guard. Every day they get robbed by the sunglasses people - they are the players who come to Free City to rob, kill, and plunder. I guess Grand Theft Auto is idea.
Reynolds has always dreamed of his ideal woman, and one day he sees her. This leads him to put on the sunglasses ("Put on the damn glasses") and start racking up points in the game. Because if he levels up enough, he can hang out with her.
Meanwhile, in the real world: The human operating Reynold's ideal woman is Robin Comier. She a nerdy game dev who is trying to prove that Free City uses some of the code for Life Itself. Life Itself is an advanced AI utopian game, developed by Comier and her platonic friend, Joe Keery (Stranger Things). Keery is now working for the Free City company as a lowly minion, browbeaten by flamboyantly evil boss, Taika Waititi.
So let's take stock. Lot's of Reynolds quipping, although he is playing a naive nice guy here. Lot's of goofy action. A nerdy love story. A critique of gaming culture - the violence, the obsession, and the evil bosses. It's all well done, directed by Shawn Levy.
But is it actually good? I don't know - we enjoyed it, and it wasn't exactly forgettable. But it wasn't exactly ground-breaking either. Just a good, funny concept, a likable leading man (great comedy chops, but is he getting over-exposed?) and hate-able villain. The love story was my least favorite part, partly because Keery had to be such a whiny wimp. Remember Daniel Radcliffe in Guns Akimbo? Very similar.
But it did what it was supposed to - keep me entertained (and Ms. Spenser semi-entertained) for 90-odd minutes. Like a computer game, I guess.
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