Play for the Planet.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Matt Lintz, Brian Cox, Sean Bean, Jane Krakowski, Dan Aykroyd, Affion Crockett, Lainie Kazan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"The real classics. Defender. Pac-man. Astroids. Games you play in an arcade which was a building outside of your house. You would go there with your friends, listen to music, cute girls everywhere. In ancient times, they call it 'socializing'" - Sam Brenner, explaining the alien's attack plan against Earth

Why watch this? Sci-fi and/or gaming fans will love this underrated retro-digital invasion romp.

Plot Summary: When an alien race interprets a video transmission of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, it is up to U.S. President Cooper and his best friend, Sam (a one-time Donkey Kong champion), to pull together a team of uber-gamers and figure out a way to defeat the highly-advanced, pixilated creations wreaking havoc on the Earth. The final target is New York City, but President Cooper, Sam and the gang have a plan that's... so crazy it just might work...

Dad's Preview: OK, if you're after the seriousness of Independence Day (1996), take a pass. However, if you can suspend believability, and want to have a great time, this film is for you. This action flick has a great cast, a proven director in Chris Columbus (Home Alone (1990), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)), and some of the most impressive CGI special effects on film (loved the Centipede segment immensely). It evokes a lot of nostalgia for those old video games we poured quarters into within mall arcades and smoky pool halls. And like those games, Pixels is fast and exhilarating while it lasts!

Columbia Pics, LStar Capital, China Film Co, Ltd.,
Happy Madison Prod.; Sony Pictures Releasing