Max Reload and the Nether Blasters

The plot is decent enough but the implementation/execution is "B" or "C" level film-making, and that's what you get with a pair of directors with no other feature release to their credit. The cheesy VFX are from the 70s. The other problem is that our teenage protags are played by actors at least 10 yrs older, so that wanks. It's just an all-around poor effort. +1 for you if you can endure to its end.

This is a watered down Todd and the book of pure evil with Atari instead of heavy metal. The story line exists (more than I can say for some B movies), the FX are good enough to support the story, and they got a real cast although they are mostly supporting characters. The story gets lost for about 20 minutes around the 1 hour mark and the main character is obnoxious with his everybody sucks but me attitude. I have definitely seen worse.

From looking at the poster, I was expecting to see some monster fighting action going on in this. There really wasn't... It felt kinda bland and only really gave me a chuckle or two. Since it is an action comedy, the corny, low budget effects are excusable. I guess I just thought it was going to be a little more heavy handed with the action element than it was. I kinda thought it would turn out to be something sorta similar to "Ready Player One", but it wasn't even remotely. Its not the end of the world if you decide to give this one a pass. Kevin Smith was kinda funny and he was part of the reason I gave it a watch, but he didn't have an incredibly big role in it.

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).

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.