Like any great actor, Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool,” “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder”) has his shtick. He knows what works and, for the most part, sticks to it. He has a certain goofy, self-aware charm that ends up bleeding into every project he’s a part of, whether that’s movies where it absolutely fits like “Deadpool” or “Detective Pikachu” or movies where it feels out of place, like “6 Underground.” Yet, somehow, in its own bizarre way, “Free Guy” represents Reynolds doing the most daring thing in his career since “Deadpool”: turning that shtick down a bit and transforming it into an actual character.
Reynolds is Guy, an NPC (Non-Playable Character) in an open world online video game that encourages stabbing, shooting and looting at every conceivable moment. He absolutely sells the naivete of this character, playing him with all the observational skills of Deadpool and none of the intelligence. He’s a genuinely sweet guy, and when he talks about wanting to help others and not harm anyone, you believe it. That’s the most astonishing thing about the entire film: you believe in this character who should be an absolute joke.
The rest of the cast is clearly giving 100%, even if the characters don’t require it. Lil Rey Howery (“Get Out,” “Rel”) plays Guy’s security guard buddy, Buddy with the same naivete that Reynolds does and just like him, you believe the relationship between these two. Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve,” “England is Mine”) delivers a pretty good comedic turn as both Millie and her in-game avatar. Given the actress’s long list of more serious projects, seeing her cut loose here is a pretty refreshing. Meanwhile, Joe Keery (“Stranger Things,” “Molly’s Game”), Taika Waititi (“What We Do in The Shadows (2014),” “Jojo Rabbit”), and Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Brittany Runs a Marathon,” “Godmothered”) are all playing pretty thinly developed characters to the best of their abilities. Nothing groundbreaking, but they also clearly don’t need to be.
Going back to Reynold’s performance and how well he sells Guy as a character is the best way to describe the entire movie. Its unapologetically earnest, balancing its open world video game style violence with a big sugary sweet center filled with optimism and smiles. It never sells itself out and tones down the sweetness, abandoning nearly all cynicism throughout the tight 2-hour runtime. “Free Guy” is determined not to have a good time, but to make sure everyone is having a good time. It’s hard to remember the last time a studio comedy was this good natured and big hearted, at times rivaling the good vibes of the “Bill & Ted” series, and it’s hard to see anyone but the most cynical not smiling throughout.
It also manages to be pretty faithful to its gaming roots. Writers Matt Lieberman (“Scoob!,” “The Christmas Chronicles”) and Zak Penn (“Ready Player One,” “The Avengers”) never talks down to its audience or make up technobabble to try and seem smarter than it is. Some of the terminology will likely be confusing for those who haven’t picked up a controller in years, but its refreshingly smart when it comes to its knowledge of video games and their developmental terminology. It’s a far cry from sitcoms or movies where the characters are flailing around on a controller, pressing 50 buttons in 10 seconds. It’s possible that this newfound appreciation for authentic geekiness from director Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum,” “Real Steel”) came in his last decade or so working with “Stranger Things,” but regardless, it’s a far cry from his works like “Night at the Museum.”
Cinematographer George Richmond (“Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Rocketman”) manages to shoot the film with a fairly standard look, but also isn’t afraid to spice things up by lingering on some of the weirder elements and throwing in plenty of dutch angles. It does have a couple of scenes with a few jarring edits and the cameos from big game streamers feel tacked on, but the film so clearly wears its heart on its sleeve that it makes it almost difficult to criticize.
It does have one larger issue that’s worth mentioning. Without getting too much into spoilers, “Free Guy” manages to be pretty creative and downright clever with its twists and secrets, and one third act reveal that gives new context to an earlier, mundane moment is downright genius. Yet, its also a movie that plays fast and loose with even its own internal logic. It does technically work, its not egregious with its bending of its own rules, and it has so much fun being itself that you likely won’t notice until the film is already over, but there are a couple of moments that are definite headscratchers even as they’re happening on screen.
“Free Guy” isn’t the most original film in the world either. Not in the same way that a sequel or remake is, there are plenty of films that it takes influence from, “The LEGO Movie” is an oddly really great comparison, but its so earnest that it doesn’t matter. The film’s message of paying attention to those around you, of caring about the little guy, and just how earnest and sweet it is will likely put a big smile on anyone’s face. Reynold’s absolutely sells this world and this character to deliver what might be the surprise of the summer, maybe the year. Its virtually (no pun intended) impossible not to leave “Free Guy” with a big grin on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. 4/5
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