'Free Guy' Reviews: Critics Hail New Ryan Reynolds Movie

Disney

I’ll admit: I was a little hard of Free Guy in the past, particularly last Fall. It was October and 21st Century Studios (owned by Disney) released a trailer for the film touting that it would hit theaters in early December, which was a claim that I found laughable especially considering the disappointing box office returns of Tenet, which was shoehorned into theaters in August.

Obviously, Disney eventually wisened up, as Free Guy was, obviously, not released in December 2020 and was instead pushed until August 13, 2021. We’re now just mere weeks away from that date, and as a result, the first reactions from critics have begun to hit the internet. And somehow, against all odds, the apparently throwaway from the final days of 21 Century Fox is being touted as one of the best films of the summer.

Joel Meares, the editor-in-chief of Rotten Tomatoes, hails Free Guy as “one of the freshest-feeling, genuinely funny, and surprisingly moving big-budget adventure movies in years.”

Steven Weintraub of Collider says that Free Guy “might be the best video game movie ever made” as it “actually makes you believe you are in a video game.”

Entertainment journalist Scott Menzel of the Hollywood Critics Association says that says Free Guy is the “most fun” he’s had watching a movie all year as the film is “wildly entertaining, hilarious from beginning to end, and deserves to be seen on the big screen.” Menzel also noted the film is like a cross between The Truman Show and Ready Player One.

Check out some more reactions from journalists and critics below:

#FreeGuy is such a fun movie! Packed with action from beginning to end. This movie knows how to make use of video game references and easter eggs – just the perfect amount 😊. I had such a great time watching this movie and I can’t wait to see it again. Highly recommend pic.twitter.com/DYUlK8d6xW

— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) July 22, 2021

#FreeGuy is so much fun. Utterly enjoyable! Taika Waititi is the best bad guy ever! Take note Hollywood! Get ready to ship Jodie Comer and Ryan Reynolds. Props to Shawn Levy for the best use ever of Mariah Carey's Fantasy!! pic.twitter.com/PDR60MhS9r

— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) July 22, 2021

🕹️#FreeGuy is a joy & will be a hit. A video game movie that actually makes you feel like you're in a VG. RR is the movie equiv of Ted Lasso (glass half full, full of fab one liners & so darn likable). Jodi Comer is a movie star (ahem Marvel). CLEVER & ORIGINAL! SURPRISES GALORE! pic.twitter.com/UIspkJjVLR

— Nikki Novak (@NikkiNovak) July 22, 2021

I had so much fun with #FreeGuy!!! It's silly, funny, delightfully weird, and just all around made my heart happy. #RyanReynolds and #JodieComer are a great movie duo.@FreeGuyMovie @ShawnLevyDirect @VancityReynolds pic.twitter.com/5wMDNrGYv6

— Christina Radish (@ChristinaRadish) July 22, 2021

#FreeGuy is very cute and surprisingly easy follow if you know nothing about gaming, but gamers will certainly appreciate it the most. Ryan Reynolds is as charming as ever and Jodie Comer is as badass as ever. It's not something I'd rush out to see again, but it's worth a watch.

— Jamie Jirak (@JamieCinematics) July 22, 2021

https://twitter.com/ChrisHayner/status/1418241144341766145

Free Guy — directed by Night At the Museum filmmaker and Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy — stars Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Taika Waititi. The film will hit theaters on August 13 and will remain a theatrical exclusive for 45 days before hitting Disney+.