Gamer (2009)
08/06/2009
Hot off the heels of the hilariously frenetic B-flick Crank 2, director duo Neveldine/Taylor go for more upmarket fare with Gamer – and it looks as though the boys have gone all Running Man on us.
The film is set in a future where gamers can take control of actual people in a war simulation called ‘Slayers’. The humans in the game are all death row inmates, who have been promised freedom if they can survive 30 games.
Gerard Butler plays ‘Kable’, a star of the game with 27 wins. Michael C. Hall plays Dexter with a southern accent, and Amber Valetta can play with whatever she likes.
The trailer holds plenty of promise for action fans, and shows Butler in all his gritty glory.
The storyline will hold no surprises for those familiar with The Running Man, Death Race or even Fortress. We’d go so far as to say they were influenced by Lock Up but nobody is that zany. Not Billy Zane, not nobody.
This is a more polished product from Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, seemingly at ease with a budget increase and a lack of Stath. Gerry Butler looks at ease with the fact he’s wearing more than a loin cloth.
A well chosen tune in shape of Marilyn Manson’s ‘Sweet Dream Are Made of These’ cover gives the trailer great depth, though, as is the case with the modern trailer, they end up showing us too much.
Rating: Worth Doing Time For – Suffice to say we’ll be watching on September 4th.
