Top Cast
Video game experts are recruited by the military to fight 1980s-era video game characters who've attacked New York.
Critic Consensus
Critical consensus on Pixels is overwhelmingly negative, with most reviewers finding it a tedious and poorly constructed comedy. The film's 80s video game iconography and nostalgia factor are the only elements drawing any measured appreciation, though even this is noted as appealing to a limited, older demographic. Critics consistently lambasted Adam Sandler's uninspired performance, a clumsy and illogical screenplay, and weak characterisation across the board. A small minority found it a passable, low-expectation entertainer, but even relative defenders acknowledged it as one of Sandler's lazier efforts.
13 reviews · 2 positive · 3 mixed · 5 negative
AI-generated summary of 13 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyCritic Reviews (13)
"It's an improvement on most of Sandler's recent comedies. But that's faint praise."Read full review ↗
"His latest movie 'Pixels' is yet again a horrible experience, and this time it is more frustrating because the concept of the movie is quite amazing. So in contrast to Mr Sandler starring in an already terrible film, this time he has actually ruined a potentially great film."Read full review ↗
"This would have to count as one of Columbus's laziest efforts. And Sandler's, for sure. Guys, it shows when you're trying too hard!"Read full review ↗
"Though movie certainly has a lot of flaws, it is still a decent entertainer, especially when you are aware that it came from the Adam Sandler stable. Go with the least of expectations, and you won't come out disappointed!"Read full review ↗
"Pixels is heavy on 80s iconography, with games like Pac Man, Centipede, Donkey Kong and even characters like Max Headroom being represented. While an older generation may get these references, the same might be lost on younger audiences. Sandler unfortunately brings nothing new to the table; his expressions remain the same as you'd have seen in The Wedding Singer."Read full review ↗
"PIXELS is light, fun watch for the fans of the 80s arcade games. Don't expect anything spectacular from it though."Read full review ↗
"I don't know what they were smoking when the decided to make this movie - even by the standard of Adam Sandler movies, Pixels is a huge disappointment. This is a mind numbing film with an extraordinarily silly plot."Read full review ↗
"It could very well be the most unremarkable Hollywood film of the year; a complete waste of time."Read full review ↗
"The plot, written by Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling, is clumsily structured. It is perfunctory, weak and mediocre with sexist gags and childish buffoonery. The story lacks logic, motivation and conviction. The characters too, are cardboard thin and unbearably annoying."Read full review ↗
"This disappointing comedy falls apart before it begins because no one would behave the way its characters do, and their ridiculous choices drive the action."Read full review ↗
"It takes a little getting used to seeing the cute and hungry Pac-Man attacking Washington, DC and accepting the lazy special effects and plot points. The film catalogues the worst set of performances seen in a while, particularly Dinklage's accent and Gad's pubescent antics."Read full review ↗
"There's really no nice way to say this: Pixels is inarguably the most god-awful film I've seen in a long while. It's premised on nostalgia for a niche memory of the 1980s — centred around the universe of first-generation video games — but that's just a thin veneer for a celebration of utterly useless geekdom that reeks of self-gratification in the extreme."Read full review ↗
Cast & Crew
Cast
- Adam Sandler · Sam Brenner
- Kevin James · President Will Cooper
- Michelle Monaghan · Lieutenant Colonel Violet van Patten
- Peter Dinklage · Eddie Plant
- Josh Gad
- Matt Lintz · Matty
- Brian Cox · Admiral Porter
- Denis Akiyama · Toru Iwatani
- Sean Bean · Corporal Hill
- Jane Krakowski · Jane Cooper
- Dan Aykroyd · 1982 Championship M.C.
- Affion Crockett · Sergeant Dylan Cohan
- Lainie Kazan · Mickey Lamonsoff
- Ashley Benson · Lady Lisa
- Jackie Sandler · Jennifer
- Jared Sandler · Jared
- Tucker Smallwood · CIA Chief
- Sadie Sandler · Lemonadie Sadie
- Sunny Sandler · Sweet Scout Girl
- Anthony Ippolito · 13-year-old Sam
Director
Screenplay
Story
Music
Cinematography
Editing
Details
- Release Date
- 31 July 2015
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Comedy, Action, Science Fiction
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