In Free Guy, the titular Guy (played by Ryan Reynolds) is an NPC (non-playable character) in a Grand Theft Auto-esque sandbox game where he and his kind don't realize they are video game characters and the players rule the land bringing constant destruction. Guy starts to change and goes outside his daily routine when he becomes infatuated with player Molotov Girl (Killing Eve's Jodie Comer).
The story to this turned out to be a lot better than the commercials would have you think. I'm not saying this is a perfect movie, but there's an unexpected depth to this supposedly light comedy, particularly in the third act. There is a surprising amount of character work and effort put into the human world side of things. The world building for the video game is pretty well thought out and inventive at times. The movie manages to pay homage to sandbox games while giving the story room to breathe. (Congratulations to director Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum/The Pink Panther remake/Real Steel) for making a comeback after not having directed a theatrical film since 2014).
The humor can be hit-and-miss. There are a few pretty funny moments, but this is one of those films that work more based on it's general good-nature feel than a lot of memorable moments. I think the movie does suffer from giving Guy and his best friend Buddy (Lil Rel Howery), especially Buddy, I mean like rapid fire. It can be a little exhausting at times. (Especially Buddy! He won't stop with the jokes!) Also, Guy's crush at the beginning may feels a little too stalkerish and slightly uncomfortable.
Reynolds and Howery are both funny guys, and Reynolds in particular sells his character, but they also lean too much into the joke overload rather than reigning it in.
Comer delivers a stronger performance than you'd guess from the trailers. The character has more going on than just being a love interest. Props should also be given to Taika Waititi as the villain, scummy, corporate bro Antoine. Again from the trailer, I feared he'd be a little one note, and yeah the character plays out kinda like you'd think, but Waititi brings an energy that makes the character work.
Recommended, despite my criticisms this is an overall enjoyable and rather original film.
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