Tetris is one of those games that everyone, no matter what generation they're from, has played at least once. It's so simplistic yet effective that it manages to be entertaining and have players put in many hours in the blink of an eye. Yet, I can bet many don't know the true story of how the game made its way to consoles and honestly, neither did I prior to watching the film. So, is Tetris worth watching? Let's find out.
Set in 1988, the film tells the story of American video game salesman Henk Rogers who discovers the game Tetris. When he sets out to bring the game to the world, he enters a dangerous web of lies and corruption.
From the opening scene, Tetris feels unique in its style and storytelling. The film, on many occasions, shifts to 8-bit visualisation which works incredibly well as a way to immerse viewers into the story being told. Sometimes the film does fall into the standard by-the-numbers biopic tropes but when the film is so slickly done and stylish, it more than makes up for it.
Taron Egerton (Rocketman, Kingsman: The Secret Service) has also never been better than he is here. To play Henk Rogers, he comes across as being enthusiastic but also incredibly eccentric. Throughout the entire film he has to be incredibly keen and passionate about the game he wants the rights to.
The story itself is fascinating; for a film about gaining the rights to a video game, it feels more like an espionage thriller than anything else. Involving the KGB and set in the USSR, the film does a great job of building tension and ramping up the stakes due to the political tension between the US and Russia at the time. The film feels very similar in tone as Argo with a vibe of The Social Network when it comes to the business aspect of the film. The blend between being a political thriller and the business side to the movie, helps create a cohesive story that director Jon S. Baird nailed it with his storytelling, direction and style.
Overall, Tetris is a fascinating story that Baird nailed with his slick direction. Taron Egerton has never been better and the story is one that will stick with viewers long after the credits start to roll.
Tetris releases on Apple TV+ on March 31st
