Max Reload and the Nether Blasters

I hadn't even heard anything about "Max Reload and the Nether Blasters" prior to getting to sit down and watching this 2020 movie from Scott Conditt and Jeremy Tremp. So I didn't know what I should be expecting from the movie, aside from it looking like something from the 1980s based on the cover/poster.

Then I saw that Greg Grunberg, Wil Wheaton, Martin Kove and Lin Shaye were on the cast list, and I must admit that sparked a bit of hope for the movie. Personally, I can't claim to have an ounce of interest in Kevin Smith, so there was no hype for me there.

And now that I have just finished watching movie, I must admit that I am left with a sensation of "was that really it?" in the wake of the movie. Sure, there was a really nice 1980s vibe to the movie, and lots of interesting and fun references and Easter eggs throughout the movie. But ultimately the movie was just too mundane and generic - not to mention predictable.

The storyline was straight forward, but a bit too much so. Because it felt like directors Scott Conditt and Jeremy Tremp were just running on auto-pilot mode. There were no surprises along the course of the story as it unfolded on the screen.

The acting in the movie was adequate, but the lack of an overly interesting or captivating storyline was sort of serving as a ball and chain around the actors and actresses' performances.

All in all, "Max Reload and the Nether Blasters" turned out to be a less than mediocre movie that mostly aim at gamers and hardcore pop culture nerds, while leaving less entertainment value to the rest of us mainstream audience members.

My rating of "Max Reload and the Nether Blasters" is a mere four out of ten stars. While I managed to sit through it, it wasn't a particularly outstanding or memorable movie experience for me. And this is by no means a movie that I will be returning to watch again, even though I am a child of the 1980s myself.

Wasted screenplay. Has moments that are decent but the sub par acting just did it in for me. Kevin Smith was funny. The brat kid Max is what brings everything down the most. Poor actor choice for his role.

Right out the gates, when you see Kevin Smith, you know it's going to be a cheesy film full of silly jokes. He may not have wrote or directed for this movie, but this in a way still feels like one of his creations, though maybe tending towards a younger audience than usual.

The acting is pretty good, though the scripts over-reliance on dated gaming memes was a little over-the-top corny at times, and some references just came off awkward. There's not a ton of depth to story, but it was funny and enjoyable nonetheless, and I'd say it's worth a watch if you're looking for a simple easy flick.

If you are a gamer, especially one who appreciates nostalgia this is a fun movie.

What nostalgia? Nerd gamer talk and a fake coleco vision commercial? This movie isn't nostalgic. There is actually more modern day references to video gaming than there is nostalgic. This movie is pretty horrible to be honest. The cast includes the typical post-2010's characters (which is a rehash of the typical post-1980's characters)... quasi-handsome lead male who acquires the girl after proving his bravery, chubby comic relief, semi-attractive nerdy girl who has affection for the lead male all throughout the movie but has an ex-boyfriend who hates the lead male and progresses from being interested in a super hot male to acquiring the lead male, quasi-jock ex-boyfriend who chews bubble gum and hates the lead male, quasi-hot supporting male that saves the day and sacrifices his life for everyone, bumbling vietnam-vet alcoholic grandpa who takes care of his grandson because the parents died and he shows interest in his grandson's hobbies, supporting old man idols that the younger cast need to consult in order to save the world, and Kevin Smith... who never leaves one room and probably filmed all his scenes within a couple of hours.

Like I said, there is no nostalgia. The movie follows no rules set by classic gaming... such as the fact that the classic game is bound to the gaming system's graphics. What does that mean? Well, the main character plays an atari game that, at first, shows that it has the type of graphics expected in an atari game. Then it jumps to a game that has 8-bit/16-bit graphics..... completely impossible. Its not relatable for true gamers. This movie almost seems like it was made by someone who doesn't know anything about gaming.

The special fx are pretty weak, but that is expected. But the acting could be much better. The script could be much better. Just because it is a low budget movie doesn't mean that it has to suck so much. This movie hopes to be Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but that will never happen. What should you watch instead? I recommend RUN LOLA RUN (1998).