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Pixels

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Metascore
27

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 235 Ratings

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  • Starring: , , , , ,
  • Summary: When intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, '80s video game championWhen intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, '80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), now a home theater installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens. [Sony Pictures]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 36
  3. Negative: 23 out of 36
  1. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    Jul 23, 2015
    75
    The script by Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling gets relaxed, throwaway laughs, even if it doesn’t always hold together.
  2. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Randy Cordova
    Jul 23, 2015
    50
    The visual effects are impressive, and there is a certain kick to seeing the human characters dodging barrels in a life-size Donkey Kong. But we don’t really care about the humans; here, at least, Q*bert is more endearing than Adam Sandler.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Jesse Hassenger
    Jul 22, 2015
    42
    Even on its own silly terms, Pixels is not a very good movie; it’s painted up like a Ghostbusters-style fantasy-comedy but plays like so many slapdash Happy Madison productions before it.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Chris Nashawaty
    Jul 23, 2015
    33
    Neither Sandler nor his listless writers (too many punchlines just sit there and collect flies) seem invested. Whether he’s saving the planet or putting the moves on Michelle Monaghan, Sandler can’t be bothered to raise his pulse above comatose. If he doesn’t care, why should anyone else?
  5. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    Jul 22, 2015
    30
    Even though it’s fair to say that Pixels is on steadier ground than most of Sandler’s recent comedies, the film is nevertheless flat-footed and grows tedious after the first hour.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Christopher Gray
    Jul 22, 2015
    25
    This is a Happy Madison production, and as such it's exhaustively lazy, outside of its righteous dedication to the valorization of the man-child.
  7. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Jul 23, 2015
    0
    Every joke is lame, every special effect unspecial.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 68
  3. Negative: 28 out of 68
  1. HiP0L
    Jul 28, 2015
    10
    Pixels is a great movie not only for forty-year-old-men but for everybody. Those who grew up in 80s will love it without a doubt for familiarPixels is a great movie not only for forty-year-old-men but for everybody. Those who grew up in 80s will love it without a doubt for familiar "characters", but others will find great family comedy. I have no idea why there is so much hate around this movie and Adam Sandler... I feel ashamed when i read some of reviews and i really don`t understand it... He did a great job making funny, nostalgic movie with very good video effects and good story. I loved it, my girlfriend liked it and my son also loved it. If you have any doubts watch it or not - YES, WATCH IT. Don`t listen to the critics - this movie is very good !… Expand
  2. Surt
    Jul 26, 2015
    10
    Movie was funny. And IMO better then ant man. You can't go wrong with some of the jokes you will be telling your coworkers later. PeopleMovie was funny. And IMO better then ant man. You can't go wrong with some of the jokes you will be telling your coworkers later. People bashing the movie are probably the same that hate family guy, or find stand up comedy "problematic"… Expand
  4. ButtsLarue
    Jul 24, 2015
    10
    In all honesty this movie is probably more like an 8 but I felt it should get a bump for all the hate that it is receiving. I took my 3In all honesty this movie is probably more like an 8 but I felt it should get a bump for all the hate that it is receiving. I took my 3 children, 13, 5, and 3 and they were all extremely entertained. I too thought the movie was pretty damned funny. There were very few moments when I was not laughing. It was an original and entertaining story with plenty of laughs and action. Adam Sadler, Kevin James, and Josh Gad were all funny, and I usually do not find Kevin James tolerable, and Peter Dinklage is absolutely hilarious. In closing I thought it was an all around enjoyable movie and, to be honest, the best of the summer blockbusters so far.… Expand
  5. danipp
    Jul 26, 2015
    6
    Don't know why the hell critics hate Sandler so much. He's made some bad roles in bad films but Pixels isn't one of them. Yeah, the script isDon't know why the hell critics hate Sandler so much. He's made some bad roles in bad films but Pixels isn't one of them. Yeah, the script is full of clichés and badly written dialogues and characters but it's a fun movie. It didn't aim to be a genius movie, it aimed to make us laugh and entertain ourselves and Pixels does it perfectly. Nostalgic and amusing, it's perfect for those who search for memories of old times with games and those who might even be interested in getting to know them. And come on, Sandler and Gad are hilarious and some jokes the movie makes with our society are quite good too. And to finish this review, there is a little orange character that will make you love him. Give a chance to Pixels, it's funny!… Expand
  6. blee10988
    Aug 8, 2015
    3
    Excellent concept but poor execution is the best summary i can give. Save your money for when hollywood inevitably makes the same film againExcellent concept but poor execution is the best summary i can give. Save your money for when hollywood inevitably makes the same film again with a different name,different people and better jokes, it wouldnt be hard to top this!… Expand
  7. Zietto
    Aug 6, 2015
    2
    Just keep your finger on the fast-forward button until a videogame sequence, watch it, then fast- forward again until next videogame sequenceJust keep your finger on the fast-forward button until a videogame sequence, watch it, then fast- forward again until next videogame sequence and wach it.
    You will enjoy the movie in 10 minutes. The rest isn't worth watching    … Expand
  8. Sercorpre
    Aug 21, 2015
    0
    If, as the human race we have sunk to a level in which Adam Sandler is allowed to make such crap like this, and then charge people to see it;If, as the human race we have sunk to a level in which Adam Sandler is allowed to make such crap like this, and then charge people to see it; then we indeed deserve to be annihilated by aliens.… Expand

See all 68 User Reviews

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