Gamer

In the future, videogames are not merely played on screens — it's acted out by real-life people. So if you shoot someone in a game — someone dies in real life.

Not a bad idea for a movie then.

Let's look at the idea behind the premise though: If society's citizens are subjected to too much violence, immorality and narcissism in popular media and entertainment, then society itself will degenerate. Individuals, after all, gravitate towards that which the group holds to be of worth.

This must have been what the producers of 'Gamer' set out to illustrate. And what better platform to use than videogames — and first-person shooter and life imitation games in particular? It is, after all, an entertainment pastime that rakes in billions of dollars each year across the globe, even rivalling the movie industry.

Debating how close this premise might be to the truth falls beyond the scope of this review, but as a film — and let me say this up front — 'Gamer' succeeds in very little other than hammering your senses until you're as sensory colour-blind as can be.

But maybe that's the idea.

If so, then mission accomplished. But mission unsuccessful is imbuing the film with even a semblance of humanity or sensitivity to the issues at hand, which would have rendered 'Gamer', if not great, then at least thought-provoking.

But gratuitous violence, utterly degenerate nudity, and a snore-infested script walked through by mindless acting and directing, left 'Gamer'... well, senseless — and just a little in bad taste.

It's intentionally politically incorrect (TV presenters smoke and swear on-screen) and filled with stereotypes (old, fat gamers play as sexy young girls, while geeky teens play as macho soldiers). Amid the gore and violence an attempt at humanity is made, but it’s buried below layers of cellulite, blood and stoic actors going through the motions.

In fact, if anyone other than Gerard "This is Sparta!" Butler played the lead role of Kable, it would have been a complete laugh. But Butler only has to give you that '300' scowl of his and you'll already be jelly-legged. Unfortunately, that's all he's called upon to do — that and blow heads off.

Not the wisest choice in movie for Mr Butler, but then on paper it probably made a lot of sense and, besides, he'll be able to get away with it. But as a movie it doesn't succeed in much — other than making you nauseous.

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