Film Review: FREE GUY (2021): An Energetic Summer Comedy with Some Minor Flaws

Free Guy Review

Free Guy (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Shawn Levy, and starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi, Lil Rel Howery, Joe Keery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Channing Tatum, Aaron Reed, Britne Oldford, Camille Kostek, Mark Lainer, Mike Devine, Anabel Graetz, Ric Plamenco and Kenneth Israel.

Free Guy is a high energy summer comedy that is very entertaining although there are some minor technicalities throughout which make it a little less than perfect. But, as far as its star, Ryan Reynolds, is concerned, credit must be given to the actor for his funny, charismatic turn as Guy, the non-playable bank teller character in a video game called Free City. To describe all the details in a film like this would probably make it sound boring as it is much easier to follow than the logistics of the plot would leave you believe.

If you ever saw the 1998 film The Truman Show, you will get a familiar vibe from Reynolds’ Guy. He is friendly, charismatic but seemingly ordinary. At the bank, he tells his customers, “Don’t have a good day, have a great day.” He’s way too nice. The film also stars Jodie Comer in a dual role. Comer’s first character is known as Molotov Girl. Guy takes an interest in her as his character slowly begins to go AWOL from the ordinary nature of his character in the game in order to take risks such as pursuing a romance with Molotov Girl. And, a romance does develop between the two characters in the video game that is appealing to watch as both characters share the love for the same flavor ice cream and seem to have a lot of other things in common as well.

Outside of the video game in the real world, Millie (Comer, again) and Keys (Joe Keery) are the developers of the game. Keys has a romantic interest in Millie but they keep their relationship strictly professional. As the game’s publisher Antwan, Taika Waititi steals the film whenever he’s on screen. He’s the film’s bad guy but Waititi has a lot of charisma which makes him entertaining to watch. Antwan stole Millie’s code to flatten the original game she had designed for his own profiteering scheme. He wants a sequel to Free City to come out without the requisite edge necessary so Millie and Keys try to prove Antwan is a fraud not only to keep the game fresh and original but also to save Guy who Antwan plans on eliminating from the game.

One problem with the film is its disregard for the romance it portrays between Guy and Molotov Girl in the game portion of the film. Reynolds is an actor in his mid 40’s while Comer, the actress, is in her late 20’s. This movie spends a lot of time developing some chemistry between these characters but then does them an injustice later in the film. Without getting too much into specifics, the movie should have ran with the romance. Instead, it feels like the filmmakers were conscientious of the age difference between the actors and tossed that plotline to the side in order to focus on special effects.

Another problem is the movie’s use of Channing Tatum in a brief role. Tatum appears as if he is simply there for star power and his role has no real service to the plot other than to provide comic relief.

However, Reynolds and Comer’s likability as performers carry the film while Waititi steals the spotlight whenever he can. Joe Keery, as Keys, gets some decent screen time and creates some believable chemistry with Comer in the real world although not as much as Reynolds and Comer do in the game world.  I liked the way the movie pays homage to the Star Wars films (among other movies as well) toward the end too. And, that’s all I’ll say on that particular regard.

Director Shawn Levy keeps the exciting chase scenes in the video game world moving at a quick pace which greatly enhances the entertainment value of Free Guy. Ryan Reynolds is a charmer and his work shines despite any shortcomings the film may have. Therefore, the film is recommended viewing.

Rating: 7/10

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