The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud   Starring: Scott Adkins, John Hannah, Lashana Lynch, Elliot James Langridge, Tommy Flanagan, Franz Drameh, Sally Collett and Isabelle Allen Distributor: 101 Films RRP: £TBC 5 037899 083703 Certificate: 12 Release Date: 18 January 2021

Teenager Sarah is a dedicated gamer; obsessed, her dad might call her. She suddenly finds herself inexplicably transported into a platform adventure, becoming a male crewmember on a spaceship commanded by the talented but self-important Captain Max Cloud. She discovers she cannot direct the character’s actions, so it proves timely when a gaming associate arrives at her empty house looking for her. After his initial shock has abated, he learns that he can communicate with Sarah through the console’s headset. Obliged to play the game of life or death to its conclusion, Sarah and her companions find that their ship has crashed and there is a gaping hole in its side. Furthermore they are continuously attacked by humanoid fighters sent by the evil manipulator, Revengor who, it seems has a history with Cloud...

The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud – to give it its full name – is a science fiction comedy. However, unlike the excellent Galaxy Quest, this film has a problem with its balance. It’s a nice idea to have a modern movie made about a retro 1980s/1990s computer game, and it’s equally bold to set it in that time period. Surely such a notion is doomed to failure? I believe the format may have worked a little better if the flick was set in contemporary times but still revolved around a retro game. There would have remained a clash of culture, even though the game is futuristic. Another problem is that most of the characters are dull, and made more forgettable by the misappropriated humour which misses its mark so many times that it leaves behind a residue of bad puns and pantomime set pieces.

Isabelle Allen is pretty good as Sarah, but wasted by spending half of the film as a disembodied voice. Scott Adkins plays Max Cloud as reckless and annoying. I realise that is how it’s written by director and co-writer Martin Owen, but he proves to be far too irritating and tiresome for the title character. Even the happenstance friend Cowboy (Franz Drameh) is a little slapstick in places. The injection of the lone gunman Brock Donnelly (Tommy Flanagan) only works to a certain extent to inadvertently bring Cloud down from his high horse. By far the best character is the main villain Revengor. John Hannah (perhaps best known for Four Weddings and a Funeral, and McCallum) plays the role like a dramatic thespian, and in doing so adds some much-needed quirkiness. It’s fitting that his sidekick, the warrior witch-like Shee (Lashana Lynch) is nastier than he is.

I wouldn’t like to suggest no one will like the movie. Perhaps I just require more substance, and don’t suffer fools gladly – whether they be fictional or real. It is certainly true that you will need to leave your IQ at the door. Just accept it for what it is, and it will pass an evening with a bowl of popcorn. 101 Films has released this on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital formats. There are no extra features, almost unheard of in this day and age.

5

Ty Power