Free Guy is a 2021 American action-comedy sci-fi that was directed by Shawn Levy and produced by 20th Century Fox studios.
I will get right into giving you a brief synopsis of the story. Don’t worry, there will be no spoilers.
Guy (Ryan Reynolds) is a positive yet unfulfilled guy who works as a bank teller. However, unknown to him, he is a non-player character in an online open-world virtual reality game. The truth starts to unravel when he finds Molotov Girl (Jodie Comer) the romantic interest he has been hoping for all along, and then decides to pursue her. Suddenly, Guy, the non-player, inadvertently becomes a player. However, he has no idea that he will have to embark on a heroic quest, not only to save his friends and the game from being deleted by its erratic and mischievous owner, but that helps expose a deception and bring about justice in the real world.
Virtual Reality game films are now a big hit. You can tell by how well the likes of 2018’s Sci-fi action movie Ready Player One, as well as 2017 & 2019’s action-adventure sci-fi sequel and prequel, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level were well received. I am definitely all for them. This movie also reminds me of 1998’s sci-fi comedy-drama - The Truman Show; in the sense that, just like Truman, Guy too had no idea that he was not who he really thought he was, and that he was really there for the entertainment of others.
Speaking of The Truman Show, I have always thought that Ryan Reynolds was the more attractive, very toned down version of Jim Carey, who played Truman. They are quite similar in how they are both able to play witty and unique characters that suit only them. I do love Ryan Reynolds as an actor, he is very funny, entertaining and brings life into whatever film he stars in. I cannot think of anyone else that could have played Guy, or played him as well as Reynolds.
To me, Jodie Comer, who plays both Molotov Girl and Millie Rusk, is the wonder woman of acting. She never ceases to amaze me with how versatile she is as an actress and the strength she puts into portraying any character. Plus, she is great with accents. If you have seen the BBC thriller TV series Killing Eve, then you would know exactly what I am talking about. As expected, she was perfect in Free Guy.
Joe Keery as Walter McKey aka Keys was equally a good call. There is something about Keery as an actor; no matter what film he stars in, no matter how quirky or strange (pun intended), he always manages to pull it off and do a pretty good job. Has anyone seen the Netflix sci-fi horror TV series Stranger Things – Season 1 & 2, or 2020’s American comedy-horror, Spree, by any chance?
More fun, amusement and humour were infused into the film by the likes of creative and funny Taika Waititi (as Antwan) and Lil Rey Howery (as Buddy).
Free Guy has a great story line, great premise, and a very enjoyable and interesting plot. The CGI was pretty cool, and the characters brought life to the film. I wouldn’t expect any less from Shawn Levy as he tends to successfully deliver when it comes to exciting and creative comedy themed films. The movie was very interesting, funny, entertaining, and quite refreshing. Films that make me feel really good right after watching them, and for some time after, deserve an excellent score from me. Rating? 10 out of 10. If you haven’t seen it, what in the world are you waiting for?
Currently showing in local cinemas near you.
Further Information
Director
Screenwriters
Played Guy
Played Millie Rusk / Molotov Girl
Played Walter "Keys" McKeys
Played Buddy
Played Mouser
Played Antwan
Played Barista
Played Bombshell
Played Keith, the gamer behind Revenjamin Buttons
Played Revenjamin Buttons, Keith's in-game avatar
Played Dude / Aaron W. Reed
Sounds really exciting. Will give it a watch