Wait….so what exactly happened? Did Shawn Levy specifically set out to make two science fiction actioneers back-to-back with Reynolds, but only had the juice to make one of them good?
Mind you, Adam Project somehow got 6.8 on IMBD which is only a shared less than the far superior Free Guy, but in reality, those two movies are day and night. Also, apples and oranges. For instance, in Adam Project Reynolds has face fuzz. No wait, but seriously…Free Guy is a great movie of a blockbuster variety. A perfect popcorn entertainment. It’s fun and witty and charming and clever. It makes video games fun…and I don’t even like video games. I found Ready Player One to be hugely overrated as a book and only somewhat interesting as a movie extravaganza, but Free Guy is exactly what a movie about video games ought to be. Adam Project, on the flip side of that coin, is a movie that seems to think it IS a video game. Outside of the easy banter between Reynolds and his very well cast 12-year-old self, there’s nothing here. The depth and emotional backbone are an afterthought (and a corny one at that) as artificial as aged down Catherine Keener (the villain of the story) who in fact looks like a video game character. Adam Project has one central idea – wouldn’t it be awesome for a small nerdy picked-on kid to meet his buff and tough older self. The rest is bombastic nonsense and special effects. In fact, for its overall IQ, it’s a kids’ movie. If only they would clean up the language, it would very much be a kids’ movie. Reynolds (with his handsome mug, perfect bod, and perfect comedic timing) is always a pleasure to watch, but he doesn’t discriminate when it comes to movie roles, it seems, he just goes for volume. Some of that quantity is quality and some of it is…well, Adam Project. Free Guy - now that’s quality. It’s conceptually original, wacky, interesting. It’s funny AND has a message. Reynolds is at his best here as a lovable clueless everyday guy named, appropriately enough, Guy, who discovers his world is so much more than he ever imagined. Discovers his world is completely out of his control and proceeds to assert some control over it anyway. Free will, determinism, it’s all here, folks. Step right up and enjoy. Tons of CGI too, but in this case as a necessary assist to the story, not the main thing about it. You don’t need to be a gamer to enjoy it, though it certainly helps. It even did well at the box office and now, sure enough, the completely unnecessary sequel is in the works. So, what’s the moral here? Well, for one thing…not all Levy/Reynold collaborations are created equal. Use your discernment. And, just so you can practice that discernment, those two have more in the works. Marvel Universe, wouldn’t you know it, because sooner or later all roads lead to MU. Ok, that’s it. Go watch Free Guy now.
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