Gamer (2009)

In a future mind-controlling game, death row convicts are forced to battle in a 'Doom'-type environment. Convict Kable, controlled by Simon, a skilled teenage gamer, must survive thirty sessions in order to be set free.

Directors:

Mark Neveldine (as Neveldine), Brian Taylor (as Taylor)

Writers:

Mark Neveldine (as Neveldine), Brian Taylor (as Taylor)

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Ludacris

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gerard Butler	...	Kable
Amber Valletta	...	Angie
Michael C. Hall	...	Ken Castle
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Gina Parker Smith
Logan Lerman	...	Simon
Alison Lohman	...	Trace
Terry Crews	...	Hackman
Ramsey Moore	...	Gorge
Ludacris	...	Humanz Brother (as Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges)
Aaron Yoo	...	Humanz Dude
Jonathan Chase	...	Geek Leader
Dan Callahan	...	Backup Geek
Brighid Fleming	...	Delia
Johnny Whitworth	...	Scotch
Keith Jardine	...	Mean Slayer

Storyline

Ken Castle is extremely rich, popular, and powerful since he invented and started exploiting the virtual online parallel reality games. In these games, people can either pay to be a user or get paid to be an 'actor' in a system of mind-control. In the ultimate version, Slayers, death row convicts act as gladiators in a desperate dim bid for survival, which no one has achieved yet. The champion, John 'Kable' Tillman, is scheduled to die just before he'd gain release, but he persuades his teenage 'handler' to hand over the reins so he can fully use his talents and experience. Kable escapes to freedom, but Castle's men chase him. Kable has to fight his way back to Castle's headquarters to challenge his hidden evil plans.

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Plot Keywords:

convict | mind control | flashing breasts | political exploitation | bubble | 

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Taglines:

the game is real

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for frenetic sequences of strong brutal violence throughout, sexual content, nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

(at around 19 mins) The news anchors are played by Psych (2006) co-stars James Roday Rodriguez and Maggie Lawson, who, as of the film's release, were also in their third year of a relationship.

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Goofs

(at around 23 mins) In one scene, John gets some kind of brain bits in his face after a head gets blown off in front of him. A couple shots later, the bits are gone.

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Quotes

Kable: Turn me around.

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Alternate Versions

German theatrical version was cut by ca. 1 minute to secure a "Not under 18" rating. This was done by distributor Universum before submitting the film to the FSK. The cut version was also released on Blu-ray/DVD. Another DVD version was created for retail chains, this version lacks ca. 11 minutes and is rated "Not under 16". A few weeks after the release of these versions, the uncut version was submitted to the FSK which rated it "Not under 18", too. Since the rating scale for home video is higher than for theatrical releases, the uncut version would have gotten that rating for theatrical release as well, thus it was completely unnecessary to create a cut version in the first place.

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Connections

Features Pole Position (1982)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Written by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart (as David Allan Stewart)
Performed by Marilyn Manson
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Dark, edgy, fantastic action

I saw a work-in-progress screening of GAME last night. It blew me away. The premise is intriguing, the action is outstanding - not a boring minute in the film. I am not a fan of Gerard Butler in general, I find his acting terribly limited, but he was fine. Logan Lerman and Michael C. Hall were great and there is a musical number in the film that is pure genius. Made me want to stand up and cheer. The whole film is like an explosion right in your face. Everything is over the top - the style, the violence, the story. It is a real fun ride while being incredible edgy and dark. There is also quite a bit of social criticism layered in there, dealing with voyeurism, cocooning, the culture of video games. Leaving the theater I didn't know if I wanted to rush home and get my XBox going or never play a video game again. Great job, Neveldine/Taylor! Can't wait to see it again with all the special effects done!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Game

Filming Locations:

New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,156,057, 6 September 2009

Gross USA:

$20,534,907

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,828,540

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Lakeshore Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1