Pixels Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nerdy dudes and the President (who’s also a nerdy dude) use 80s arcade skills to stop pixelated aliens who thought our video games were a threat, leading to a lot of property damage and questionable romantic subplots.

🍿 Pixels: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arcade Dreams and Crushing Defeat (1982)

In 1982, young Sam Brenner shows immense skill in arcade games, mastering patterns and techniques. He enters a video game championship, hoping to prove himself, with his best friend Will Cooper cheering him on. However, he faces Eddie ‘The Fire Blaster’ Plant, a formidable Donkey Kong player, and suffers a crushing defeat, impacting his future.

A Time Capsule’s Misinterpretation (Present Day)

Decades later, Sam works as an installer while Will has become the President of the United States. Strange attacks begin occurring worldwide, with military bases being ‘pixelated’ by alien forces mimicking classic arcade games like Galaga. It’s discovered that a time capsule sent into space containing footage of 1980s arcade games was misinterpreted by an alien race as a declaration of war.

Assembling the Dream Team

President Cooper calls upon Sam, along with fellow arcade enthusiast Ludlow Lamonsoff, to combat the alien threat. Recognizing the patterns and strategies needed to defeat the pixelated invaders, they form a team to fight back. They’re joined by Lt. Colonel Violet Van Patten, who develops specialized weapons to combat the game-based attacks, and eventually recruit Eddie, seeking redemption.

Battling Iconic Games Across the Globe

The team faces various challenges across the globe, including a Pac-Man attack in New York City, a Centipede assault in London, and Arkanoid decimating the Taj Mahal. Using their unique gaming skills and Violet’s advanced weapons, they manage to achieve victories, but not without losses and unexpected twists. The stakes rise as the aliens accuse Earth of cheating after a crucial win.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brenner (Adam Sandler): A former video game champion turned home theater installer who is recruited to save the world from pixelated aliens.
• President Will Cooper (Kevin James): Brenner’s childhood best friend who is now the President of the United States and relies on him to fight the alien invasion.
• Violet (Michelle Monaghan): A military expert and single mom who develops weapons to fight the aliens and becomes Brenner’s love interest.
• Eddie (Peter Dinklage): Brenner’s arrogant childhood rival and video game champion who is called upon to help save the world.
• Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad): A conspiracy theorist and arcade enthusiast who joins the team to fight the aliens, harboring a crush on Lady Lisa.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sam Brenner: “I’m good at video games. I’m not saving the world good, but pretty good.” – Brenner expresses his initial reluctance and self-deprecating humor about his video game skills.
• Ludlow Lamonsoff: “They’re using 80s video games to attack us! This is my time!” – Ludlow expresses his enthusiasm and readiness when he realizes video games are attacking.
• Eddie: “I am the Fire Blaster! Fear me!” – Eddie proudly proclaims his gaming prowess before entering the Pac-Man challenge.
• Sam Brenner: “The thing you need to know about video games is sooner or later, you’re gonna lose.” – Brenner imparts wisdom about the inevitability of failure in video games and life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $88,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $78,747,585
• Worldwide Gross: $244,874,809

💥 Pixels Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so *Pixels* isn’t going to win any awards, but I had a blast! As someone who grew up in the 80s, seeing Pac-Man munching on New York City and Donkey Kong tossing barrels was pure nostalgic fun. Sure, the plot is ridiculous, and some of the jokes are cheesy, but I was laughing throughout the whole movie! It’s the perfect kind of movie to just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride. The scene with Peter Dinklage using cheat codes was hilarious, and the soundtrack took me right back to my childhood. I give it a thumbs up for pure entertainment value!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Adam Sandler comedies”
  • “People who grew up playing classic arcade games”
  • “Those looking for a light-hearted, action-packed sci-fi movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Action violence and destruction”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a promising premise, Pixels is a pixelated mess, undone by a dull story, uneven visual effects, and a severe lack of originality and wit, ultimately squandering what could have been a nostalgic, fun-filled ride.
• IGN: “Pixels delivers some fun visual moments and nostalgic nods to classic arcade games. However, it’s weighed down by a predictable plot, broad humor, and underdeveloped characters, making it a passable but ultimately forgettable experience.
• Entertainment Weekly: “The movie feels more like a series of disjointed sketches tied together by a thin plot. While the visual effects are occasionally impressive, the humor is often juvenile and the performances are uninspired, leaving a feeling of untapped potential.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers loved the nostalgic references to classic arcade games and the visual spectacle of the pixelated characters.: Fans of 80s arcade culture found the movie entertaining and visually appealing.

Some viewers appreciated the lighthearted humor and the action-packed sequences.: Many enjoyed the movie as a fun, family-friendly comedy with impressive special effects.

Overall Consensus: Pixels is a visually entertaining, but ultimately flawed comedy that appeals primarily to fans of 80s arcade games and those seeking lighthearted entertainment. Critics generally panned the movie for its weak plot and humor, while some audience members found it to be a fun and nostalgic experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Chris Columbus wanted to capture the essence of classic arcade games, so the pixelated destruction was meticulously planned and executed with visual effects.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Adam Sandler, Josh Gad, and Peter Dinklage spent time playing classic arcade games to familiarize themselves with the games’ mechanics and strategies.”
• “The film features numerous cameos from real-life figures, including Serena Williams and Martha Stewart, adding a surreal touch to the video game invasion scenario.”
• “The design of the alien invaders was heavily inspired by the original sprites and animations from the 1980s arcade games to maintain authenticity.”
• “The Pac-Man sequence required extensive coordination to film, using real Mini Coopers painted to resemble the ghosts, and recreating the iconic maze in a real-world setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pixels?

Pixels is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can also rent or purchase it from these and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pixels, you might like these similar films:

• Wreck-It Ralph (2012): Explores the world of video games and their characters in a humorous and creative way, appealing to fans of gaming culture.
• Ghostbusters (1984): A group of unlikely heroes bands together to fight supernatural threats, blending comedy with special effects.
• Ready Player One (2018): Features heavy references to 1980s pop culture and video games within a futuristic, action-packed narrative.
• Attack the Block (2011): A group of young adults bands together to fight off an alien invasion, similar to the way the video game experts in ‘Pixels’ do.

🛒 Pixels Related Products

• Pixels (Blu-ray): Own the movie in high definition, with bonus features including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade: Bring the arcade experience home with this compact Pac-Man machine, perfect for reliving the classic game that inspired the movie.
• Pixels Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official Pixels movie poster, a great way to show off your love for the film.
• Q*Bert Plush Toy: Officially licensed Q*Bert plush toy, capturing the iconic character from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pixels features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Surrender” – performed by Cheap Trick
• “We Are the Champions” – performed by Queen
• “Another One Bites the Dust” – performed by Queen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

SIMPSONS PIXELS

Have you ever wondered what The Simpsons would look like in pixel art? This animated tribute will take you on a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of gaming and animation.

Honest Trailers – Pixels

Get ready for a hilarious and brutally honest take on the movie Pixels, as Screen Junkies dissect the film’s strengths and weaknesses with their signature wit and humor.

Everything GREAT About Pixels!

Even the most critically panned movies have their redeeming qualities. CinemaWins takes a closer look at Pixels and finds the hidden gems that make it worth a watch.

PIXELS Short Film

Imagine if the iconic video game characters from Pixels invaded the real world. This short film explores that concept with stunning visuals and a gripping storyline.

✨ Rate