10 Sci-Fi Movies One Step From Perfection

Okay, so first things first, Gamer may have never been destined for true “greatness”. Compared to a few other titles on this list, 2009’s grisly sci-fi thriller offering from the directorial duo behind the bats*** crazy Crank franchise Neveldine/ Taylor probably isn’t as close to classic status as say, The Fly. But there’s plenty of potential in this R-rated satire of everything from reality TV to gaming culture, and it remains one of the better offerings from the late 2000’s brief revival of gory sci-fi action (sorry, Daybreakers and Repo Men).

However, despite a clever premise and an impressively kinetic visual style, the film fails for the same reason the Crank franchise succeeded; there are just no likeable characters here, whether it’s Gerard Butler’s scowling personality-free protagonist or Milo Ventimiglia’s charming minor villain, Rick, er, Rape.

Yeah, it’s that sort of film, tonally speaking, which makes it hard to root for anyone when their bloody demise is almost always around the corner and mean-spirited wanton cruelty reigns supreme. There’s nothing wrong with a dark tone, but Gamer has little levity, making it a slog to get through and not one worth saving your progress in when you inevitably give up early.