Pixels

In the 2015 science fiction comedy film Pixels, the line between the real world and the world of classic arcade games is blissfully blurred. The story takes a hilarious and action-packed turn when 1980s-era video game characters, specifically from the classic games Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders, suddenly materialize in the modern world and wreak havoc on New York City. The military, desperate to find a solution to the problem, recruits a team of video game experts to join forces with renowned arcade champion and pizza delivery guy, Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler). Sam, an avid gamer from the 1980s, is summoned by the U.S. military and, along with his old gaming buddy, Ludlow (Josh Gad), sets out to take down the video game aliens. Upon arrival, they meet their new teammates, including Colonel Fowler (Neal McDonough) and Lieutenant Kim (Michelle Monaghan), an intelligence officer assigned to their mission. Fowler is less than thrilled about partnering with a couple of misfit gamers and a pizza delivery guy, but the group's unique skills and experience may hold the key to defeating the invasion. As the team delves deeper into the source of the attacks, they soon discover that the invasion is linked to the birthday message of President Clifton (Peter Dinklage), who sent out a viral message to the aliens. The situation may seem far-fetched, but as the group examines a destroyed PlayStation console that displayed the message, they begin to understand the cause behind the assault. To counter the aliens, Sam and Ludlow recall the strategies they employed to beat classic games in their youth, understanding that the characters in the games have specific weaknesses and pattern systems. However, their problem-solving approach clashes with the more scientific and strategic world of military warfare, leading to comedic interactions between the two vastly different worlds. Ludlow realizes that Pac-Man, a prominent character, offers the key to defeating the invasion by figuring out its hunger pattern. Working with Ludlow, Sam uses his understanding of old-school gaming skills to infiltrate and gather essential data from Pac-Man. They identify a few aliens and study their patterns in action. A memorable sequence unfolds when the team attempts to pacify a marauding Pac-Man invasion. Sam and Ludlow execute their battle plan, fighting Pac-Man with precise moves, causing amusement and dismay to those watching the battle. The true strength of gaming legacy knows no bounds, as a retired gaming pro applies nostalgic expertise in his battle for the real world. Despite a rough start with clashing ideologies, Ludlow, Sam, Kim, and the colonel develop trust for one another, fostering the cohesion required for this high-stakes battle. The stakes rise further when the crew of experts predicts a massive alien invasion of New York City during the Fourth of July celebrations. Sam must take down the most powerful alien, Centipede, played masterfully by Peter Dinklage in a comical performance that showcases the eccentric and self-absorbed acting prowess of its star. Using the classic gaming arcade strategies, which he has diligently studied since youth, the unlikely heroes arrive at the final showdown against the Centipede in their determination to defend the nation. In the spirit of intergalactic game play and sheer fun, it is revealed that, following years of continuous video game training, gaming enthusiasts have created an elite superhero force resulting in the winning of the video war by leading the world on to overall victory from the world wide iconic arcade hit, 'Video Destruction, End World wide legendry battles.'