Tetris

Naïveté doesn't matter here; it’s just part of the game, which is entertaining while tastefully mixing in pop culture references and maintaining clarity in the relatively sophisticated framework of the screenplay. Tetris is Free Guy for a more grown-up, but not conservative audience – even more so if you are interested in the business of the gaming phenomenon and the history of its inception. The film was released on VOD at the same time as the theatrical release of Bena Affleck’s Air, which is a rather different but equally well-made “entrepreneurial adventure” set in the same historical period. (12.07.2023)

A superbly suspenseful drama about how the popular video game Tetris reached the whole world. Apple scores plus points. It stars the excellent Taron Egerton, who has matured as an actor with each film – I've liked this handsome guy since Kingsman, but he blew everyone's mind with his performance in Black Bird, and here he only confirms his qualities. Oscars are on their way soon and I wish him a happy choice of films in his acting career. What may have seemed like a dull and uninteresting story eventually turned into a gripping and thrilling ride that will have you gasping at times – that certainly doesn't happen often in the drama genre. On the plus side, it’s set in the USSR, where the main character arrives to buy the rights to Tetris, only to find that things work differently in this country and nothing will be easy. Even though most of the film is about trading Tetris rights, it does have a decent amount of drive and energy. The scary KGB, the communists, the rules, I can't think of a better portrayal of Russian communism in film. There are a few unexpected twists and turns, the whole thing is superbly shot (the graphic 8 bit inserts are impressive), the actors are all excellent, the atmosphere is chilling and gripping, and the whole thing culminates in a thrilling car chase that would put Bond to shame. 8/10. (05.04.2023)

Man, I used to play Tetris all day. I honestly had no idea it had such a troubled destiny. Baird and co. managed to turn a historical excursion into an incredibly entertaining film. They cleverly adapted the events so that the film doesn't lose pace, and even sneaked in a car chase out of the money saved on ingenious pixel inserts. “Good ideas have no borders.” (16.04.2023)

I never thought a movie about Tetris could hold my interest, but when a talented team of creators comes together, two hours can just fly by. It also felt like this group didn't take themselves too seriously, allowing me to enjoy even those far-fetched scenes. It was a laid-back, fun movie, making the sudden shift into a paranoid atmosphere aboard the Soyuz all the more impactful. Despite the occasional over-the-top moments, the filmmakers captured the essence of the oppressive setting remarkably well. Overall, it was an excellent film, complete with stunning visual transitions and familiar nostalgic sounds that truly kept me entertained. / Lesson learned: A person with a vision can often be a danger to themselves and those around them. (25.01.2024)