The Cyberworld comes to life in Free Guy

by Kathia Woods

We've been hoping for a fun film with a clear hero all summer. That film is Free Guy. It's the ideal blend of wacky humor and action. Many videos game films have been made, but this one is more fun because it does not take itself too seriously.

Free Guy does an excellent job of celebrating the entire gaming community. It absorbs the gaming culture as well as the programmers who create these virtual worlds. It has a genuine affection for and respect for the video game universe.

Guy (Ryan Reynolds), our hero, has a set routine that he follows to go about his daily life. He greets his goldfish and puts on a blue button-down shirt, khaki pants, and a striped tie before eating cereal. On his way to work at the bank, he stops for coffee with "one cream, two sugars." Buddy (Lil Rel Howery), his best friend, also works as a security guard at the bank. Guy, a teller, ends each transaction with his catchphrase, "Don't have a bad day, have a great day." It's the most dangerous place because it's robbed every day, but his cheerful demeanor remains unaffected. This is his life, and he lives it to the fullest.

They, like all routines, are prone to disruption. Guy is unaware that he is a virtual character in a video game. A background character, also known as a nonplayable character. His entire existence is for the entertainment of the actual players, "The sunglasses people." You see, in Free City, violence reigns supreme, and Guy, unfortunately, is caught up in a lot of it.

A woman changes the course of his mundane life. Molotov Girl is not just any woman (Jodie Comer). She's not like the other avatars; despite the fact that she wears sunglasses, Guy is intrigued. He follows her all the way to the city's outskirts (aka the water)

He has no idea that Molotov Girl is there on a mission, not to mingle. Millie (Jodie Comer), the woman behind the avatar, tries to solve a mystery about the game. At the heart of this dispute is Free City's unauthorized use of software she co-created with her former partner, Keys (Joe Keery). Antwan, the evil man at the root of her predicament, is played hilariously by (Taika Waititi). Antwan owns the company that sells Free City and is a multi-millionaire. He based his game on the open-world concept developed by Millie and Keys.

There are so many aspects of Free Guy that I adore. First and foremost, the duality of action in the real and game worlds is brilliant. That concept is credited to screenwriters Matt Liberman and Zak Penn. It's also great storytelling, allowing (Jodie Turner) to show off her comedic side by playing Millie and Molotov Girl. Lil Rel Howery as Buddy gets an honorable mention. He is not the token Black, but rather a vital best friend. Overjoyed to see him play a pivotal role in the film.

The story is also endearing because she and Guy work together. She is a contemporary hero. Director Shawn Levy did an excellent job of establishing clear boundaries between the virtual world and the present. One would think that this would make the story more difficult to follow, but it engages the viewer more.

The design team should also be praised for creating a realistic environment that allows the viewer to follow Guy and root for Millie. Everything is in order and running smoothly.

While Free Guy makes fun of gamers, it does so in a polite way. This is demonstrated by the film's inclusion of popular YouTube gamers who playfully mock their online community.

It does, without being preachy, make a comment on how violent video games can be.

Finally, you have a delightful film that elevates the underdog and celebrates friendships both in and out of the cyber world.