‘Gamer’ provides new perspective, fails to delilver quality acting, plot

Survive 30 sessions and get set free. This is the promise made by the creative minds behind a deadly competition in “Gamer.”

In this sci-fi film, the world has come to a point where shows like “Survivor” and “Megan Wants a Millionaire” just don’t pass for entertainment anymore. Fortunately, reality television is saved by Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall), who brings along a brand new form of entertainment in which death-row inmates fight against each other in simulated battle arenas, all to the enjoyment of global audiences.

As the film opens up, the audience sees buildings in every major city adorned with advertisements for the competition, called “Slayers.” Through the vast array of billboards, buildings and bus panels, it is made clear that this is no “American Idol.” Not even Simon Cowell is a match for the game’s top competitor, Kable (Gerard Butler), who is only a few matches away from seeing his family again.

One may wonder how society could trust these killers running around with loaded weapons, but never fear. Each inmate is controlled by a player on the outside, making them just about as threatening as Master Chief from Halo.

Obviously, not everyone can be featured on “Slayers,” so Castle also developed a game for everyday people called “Society.” In this “Sims”-like game, a person can pay to control users in a virtual world. Unlike today’s video games, these users are actual humans that are paid to act out whatever the gamer controlling them has in mind.

From Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine, the same writing/directing duo that brought audiences “Crank” and its latest sequel, “Gamer” is another fast-paced film that is not to be taken too seriously.

While the quirky atmosphere and over-the-top stunts worked well in the two previously mentioned films, it seems that the filmmakers thought they were actually making a video game this time, instead of a major motion picture.

One of the biggest problems with the film is that, just like in the films of every wannabe action director out there, the camera shakes violently any time there is something on the screen that the audience actually wants to see. Used properly, this effect can add an element of realism — see “Saving Private Ryan.” In this film, though, it just looks like the cameraman was swatting at a fly during every scene.

Other setbacks include that the plot is sketchy at best and the acting, aside from Hall and Butler, is pretty rough. Since this was considered by many as just an action-fest from the start, these are only minor problems.

While not being quite as much fun as its similarly based predecessor, “Death Race,” the film does make some interesting points about the value of a human life in a time where these types of games rule our worldview.

“Gamer” probably won’t be nominated for any awards and it may not even appeal to most crowds, but perhaps it will make someone think twice about the cost of mass entertainment before they Tivo the next season of “The Bachelor.”

2 out of 5 stars