Pixels

Released in the summer of 2015, Pixels was welcomed by a wave of negative reviews. Despite grossing close to $250 million in the box office, critics made it very clear that Adam Sandler's gamer flick was one you could afford to miss. The 2015 film is based on a French short, by the same name, from 2010 by Patrick Jean. And it seems a lot of the original wonder of the short is lost in the longer, Hollywood edition. Pixels reboot was directed by Chris Columbus, of Harry Potter and Mrs Doubtfire fame, and is packed with a star studded cast that would be expected in a film produced by and starring Adam Sandler. 

I feel like this film raises questions deeper than intended - if any moral or message was ever deliberately planned at all! In particular, this film has made me consider Sandler's position in Hollywood and his ability to draw in the masses with sub-par films. Why is it, an actor/comedian is continuously making bank with films that would drown had any other lead been attached? I'm a self confessed fan of some of his earlier work, 50 First Dates, The Wedding Singer and The Longest Yard will continue to be some of my lazy Sunday viewing faves. But since 2011, Sandler's work has taken a steep dive into boring and repetitive territory. With the exception of the first Hotel Transylvania film which was surprising and a great addition to Sony Pictures repertoire. 

So, how did the film hold up? Well, the core concept is great. Who hasn't thought about alien invaders being actual... Alien Invaders?! But beyond that, the film was average. Whilst being incredibly funny at parts, the entire film fell victim to Sandler's old habits. Several forced jokes and scenarios could have been left of the cutting room floor without hindering the plot. But I would be lying if I said I didn't chuckle consistently throughout. For a film with little substance it was unsurprisingly easy to watch. The 'action' scenes were tame and lack lustre as blood and fear are hard to translate into pixels. But this film is certainly not aimed at the film goers of the 21st century who are left bored without excessive violence so the pixel replacements are fitting. The utter ridiculousness of it all is Pixels saving grace. A foolish president, tech savy aliens and a technical engineer hero apparently is a recipe for pleasant home viewing. But with films like this in the past I have always stated that, although enjoyable on a very basic level, I'm so happy I did not pay money to watch this in the cinema.