Berlanti Productions, 21 Laps Entertainment, Maximum Effort, Lit Entertainment Group and TSG Entertainment’s Free Guy (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is a science fiction action comedy. A bank teller, Guy (Ryan Reynolds), discovers that he is actually a non-player character (NPC) in an open-world video game, and so are the many other inhabitants of the neighbourhood. However, he soon becomes the hero of the story and ends up helping his online girlfriend, Molotov Girl (Jodie Gomer), who also exists in real life. In fact, Molotov, whose real name is Millie Rusk, and her friend, Walter McKeys (Joe Keery), are the creators of the open-world video game. Soon, McKeys realises that Guy’s self-awareness came about from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) code that he (McKeys) himself had included in an unreleased game, Life Itself. Anyway, Guy now helps Millie and McKeys, whose source code from Life Itself was stolen by Antwan (Taika Waititi), the head developer of Soonami Games, to create sequels to Free City.
Matt Lieberman has penned an interesting story from an equally interesting concept. The video game world, with NPCs and players, keeps the audience engaged with all its novelty. Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn’s screenplay is also very entertaining although it must be added, it is very class-appealing too, especially for the Hindi film-going audience. The romance between Guy and Molotov is heartwarming. The light scenes are enjoyable while the action and stunt scenes provide a lot of thrill.
Ryan Reynolds is endearing as Guy. He gives a free-spirited performance. Jodie Comer is very good in the role of Millie Rusk and Molotov Girl. Taika Waititi shines as Antwan. Joe Keery lends fabulous support as Walter McKeys. Lil Rel Howery is entertaining as Buddy, close friend of Guy. Utkarsh Ambudkar makes his presence felt as Mouser. Aaron W. Reed (as Dude), Britne Oldford (as Barista), Camille Kostek (as Bombshell), Mark Lainer (as Hostage), Mike Devine (as Officer Johnny), Vernon Scott (as the bank manager), Ric Plamenco (as the ice cream vendor), Kenneth Israel (as the businessman) and the others lend adequate support.
Shawn Levy’s direction makes the drama not only interesting but also plausible. He deserves distinction marks for a job well done. Christophe Beck’s background music is appealing. George Richmond’s cinematography is wonderful. Computer graphics are extraordinary. Ethan Tobman’s production designing is of a high standard. Dean Zimmerman’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is very nice.
On the whole, Free Guy is an out-and-out entertainer which deserves to do very well at the box-office. But it is also a fact that the concept of a video game in a film will not be understood by many among the Hindi film-going audience. Added to that are the lockdown factors like limited-capacity functioning by cinemas, limit on show timings, general reluctance of people to frequent cinemas because of the Coronavirus fear, etc. All these, coupled with dull promotion, will ensure that the film does not at all realise its true box-office potential.
Released on 17-9-’21 all over (except in Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala) thru UTV Software Communications Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….The original English version has also released simultaneously.