Free Guy (2021), directed by Shawn Levy

Guy is a bank teller, a non player role in a video game simulation. He basically lives the same day over and over as background visuals for the real world players. It’s an ultra-violent but humdrum groundhog-day existence. His world changes when he encounters Molotov Girl, the avatar of Millie, who is trying to find evidence for her copyright case against the game developer. Their meeting is literally a game changer for both of them, as Guy becomes a hero rather than a bystander and Millie finds more than she bargained for. Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer have great chemistry and it is good to see her get a Hollywood opportunity to do the dual role thing she does so well. She is equally believable as tech nerd and action avatar. Taika Waititi makes a comic book villain, but that seems appropriate for this film. It offers lots of sly and funny visual and musical references to other films and roles and there are several funny cameos from the likes of Channing Tatum and Chris Evans to add to the fun. Reynolds possibly overdoes the self-sendup routine, but it is mostly amusing and entertaining. There is more to life than money; don’t get lost in a fantasy and ignore good things in the real world; freedom is being yourself and making your own choices. The messages are unsubtle but wholesome and not unwelcome given the current state of the world.