Tetris

If you ever wondered about the complicated backstory of Tetris, this film takes a stab at it. The blend of corporate greed and Cold War espionage provides an interesting backdrop, but it struggles to maintain momentum throughout its runtime.

The Game That Changed Everything

Set in 1988, 'Tetris' follows Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton), an American salesman who stumbles upon the addictive puzzle game while on a trip to Russia. He quickly realizes the potential of Tetris and becomes determined to secure its distribution rights, but this leads him into a tangled web of deceit involving Russian bureaucrats and the KGB. As he races against time to get the game out into the world, the film showcases both the personal and political challenges he faces. The narrative offers a mix of tension and drama, but occasionally feels bogged down by historical exposition that may not hold everyone’s attention.

Performances That Get the Job Done

Taron Egerton delivers a solid performance as Henk Rogers, bringing both charm and urgency to the role. Nikita Efremov as Alexey Pajitnov, the game’s creator, has moments of depth, but his character feels underdeveloped, leaving audiences wanting more context about his struggles. The supporting cast, including Anthony Boyle and Ben Miles, do a fine job, but their characters often come off as one-dimensional, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals. This could have been an opportunity for more nuanced performances across the board.

Aesthetic Choices and Pacing Issues

Directed by Jon S. Baird, the film employs a straightforward visual style that mirrors corporate aesthetics of the late '80s. There are effective choices in color and set design that evoke the era, but the direction often feels too restrained, lacking the dynamism that could elevate the tension of Rogers' high-stakes endeavors. The pacing is uneven; while some sequences hit the mark with urgency, others drag, causing moments that should be thrilling to feel surprisingly flat. More daring visual choices could have amplified the espionage elements.

Tension That Comes and Goes

Watching 'Tetris' can be a mixed bag. The premise is intriguing, but the film occasionally stumbles with pacing that stretches out some scenes too long, leading to moments of disengagement. Additionally, the emotional stakes are often undercut by a focus on legal battles and corporate maneuvering rather than personal investment in characters’ journeys. As a result, while there are moments that spark genuine tension and excitement, they are interspersed with stretches of dull exposition that can make it feel like a chore.