HCA Gradebook: “Tetris”

Movie: Tetris
Plot: ​​Taron Egerton stars in a new Apple Original Film inspired by the true story of how one man risked his life to outsmart the KGB and turn Tetris into a worldwide sensation.
Cast: Taron Egerton, Nikita Efremov, and Toby Jones.
Director: Jon S. Baird
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Studio: Apple TV+
Number of Graders: 22
Overall Grade: B+

Nikki Fowler says, “Tetris is a fast-paced thriller with beautiful cinematography (Alwin Küchler) and a well-written script (Noah Pink) that perfectly takes you on a muted journey through the late ’80s across global continents during a time when it was the beginning of the dog-eat-dog world of gaming with brands like Atari and Nintendo and one tough fight over intellectual property. You don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy this history-inspired nostalgic chunk of cinema. Taron Egerton leads this film with charisma and energy that doesn’t ever lose steam or get boring. You are captivated and want him to win right down to the end, even with the struggles he has with his family being on the receiving end of KGB death threats. The cast is rounded out by equally stellar performances.”
Grade: A+

Shadan Larki says, “Tetris tells the true story of how the addictive video game made its way from the USSR to global audiences. Despite knowing about the eventual ground-breaking success of Tetris, the film manages to build tension and keep you guessing until the end. Tetris, the movie owes its success to an absolutely brilliant performance by Taron Egerton, who sells video game jargon with ease. A sharp script and brisk editing pared with fun homages to the game make Tetris a joy to watch “
Grade: A+

Ashley Saunders says, “Tetris might be the game we all know but chances are the truth behind one of the most iconic video games on the planet is something most people have no clue about. Baird’s film is a twisting, fun, speed-run through the insane true story about Tetris. Incorporating visuals and music from the beloved classic alongside the charming performances of Egerton and Efremov, Tetris becomes just as addicting and exciting as its namesake.”
Grade: A

Joel D. Amos says, “Who knew we needed a movie about the video game Tetris and its development and subsequent impact on our society? The truth is, we absolutely need this Tetris movie. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, an American businessman, who teams up with the Russian who invented Tetris, Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov), and together they will change the landscape for gaming in ways that reverberate today. Egerton, as always, is sublime, while Efremov, is impeccable. The pair have a onscreen chemistry that is palpable and easy to see why these two made a daunting match in the business and video game landscapes. Tetris (the movie, and the game–to be honest) is a blast.”
Grade: A

Rick Hong says, “Tetris, is the game everyone played, but never knew how it came to be, a truly fun movie that will take you back to not only playing the game but the cold war era.”
Grade: A

Anthony Digioia says, “Tetris is such a fascinating look at the multi-layered saga of getting this amazing little game into our hands. Egerton showcases his range, the supporting cast is great, and the layers of this story peel back with continual intrigue. It also delivers a subtle but effective visual flair during timely moments that serve as charming reminders of what this one’s all about, an iconic video game!”
Grade: A-

Abe Friedtanzer says, “Tetris takes a globally popular game and turns it into an enticing and upbeat thriller. The specifics of ownership and licensing rights become fun puzzles to attract audiences, and this well-paced movie is a delight to watch. Taron Egerton leads a great cast in one of the most enjoyable films of the year so far.”
Grade: B+

Brandon Katz says, “Tetris sanitizes a curious story in order to strip it down to its bare, easily digestible essentials fit for the Hollywood treatment. But damn if those rounded edges don’t make for a fun and taut global thriller-lite that adds some creative video game stylization. As squeaky clean as it may be, Tetris is an unlikely winner in Apple TV+’s fledgling original film efforts.”
Grade: B+

Caillou Pettis says, “Despite running a bit too long, Tetris is a remarkably gripping historical thriller written excellently by Noah Pink and featuring a multi-layered lead performance from Taron Egerton.”
Grade: B+

Erik Anderson says, “Tetris plays fast and loose with history and facts but as a film it’s such a smart and fun Cold War thriller with a sleek video game sensibility (the 8-bit inspired finale is fantastic). Taron Egerton is so energetic and just compulsively watchable throughout.”
Grade: B+

James White says, “Feeling akin to The Social Network, but with slightly fewer sociopaths, Tetris tells the funny, dramatic and ultimately fulfilling story of how the eponymous game’s rights were crowbarred out of the hands of a repressive Soviet bureaucracy and spread across the world. Taron Egerton brings brisk charisma to the role of Henk Rogers, the Dutch-American businessman who gambled everything to win the chance to bring the blocky future classic to players in Japan and elsewhere. He carries the film on his talented back, but it’s also credit to writer Noah Pink and director Jon S. Baird that this unlikely true story works despite everyone knowing the eventual outcome. Turns out sometimes it is the journey, not the destination that’s important. And if it’s sometimes too lightweight and throwaway (and falls into cliche once too often), it’s still worth seeing.”
Grade: B+

Monica Gleberman says, “Tetris is a thriller that captivates you from the start and details how one of the most famous, addicting, and frustrating games was created and sent off to the masses. Taron Egerton did a great job bringing Henk Rogers to life to show everything Rogers did against all odds to gain rights and push the game out to Nintendo. Some moments linger too long (the who’s who, the critical “players,” and Rogers’s plans) while other scenes were too short and fast (like the development of the game, detail on the original creators, and the overall “rights” process). However, it’s entertaining and has some nostalgic visuals. Despite its faults, Egerton manages to hold all the blocks together.”
Grade: B+

Scott Mendelson says, “Tetris is a robust and enjoyable romp, playing like a comic riff on ‘Bridge of Spies’ and ‘The Courier.’ It successfully wrings real suspense both from Cold War-era tensions and the minutiae of international trade.”
Grade: B+

Clarence Moye says, “Tetris is a ridiculously absorbing Cold War video game epic anchored by a fully committed performance by Taron Egerton. The 1980s-era music and 8-bit graphics featured throughout the film are fun additions, but the complex screenplay, rapid-fire pacing, and Egerton’s performance really sell the story.”
Grade: B

Dan Murrell says, “Who knew that a game about falling blocks was filled with so much international intrigue? The legal wrangling behind Tetris is the most interesting part of this movie, and could have produced an even bigger winner had the writers not felt the need to throw in more conventional Hollywood storytelling toward the end. Taron Edgerton anchors the movie and gives it a lot of heart, producing a solid way to spend a couple of hours.”
Grade: B

Kevin Jan says, “All the pieces don’t come together for Tetris, but it’s still wildly entertaining and chock full of nostalgia. Taron Egerton’s endearing portrayal of Henk Rogers carries the film, despite the lack of historical accuracy. Definitely worth a play.”
Grade: B

Matthew Creith says, “Tetris is a lesson in the ultimate corporate espionage exercise and deals with themes of capitalism vs. communism. The events depicted in this film loom large for today’s audience, as we are constantly bombarded with Russia’s dominance some 35 years later. In a country where anyone can be KGB and major corporations are fighting for a piece of greatness, it’s challenging to tell an authentic story about a secretive institutional government. Tetris is a well-executed thriller that dutifully explains who owns what and when. It’s a complex web of deceit and business tactics that comes with a happy ending, even if Rogers has to fight for it with every ounce of dignity he has.”
Grade: B

Rachel Wagner says, “Eventually it becomes a story of unlikely friendship between Alexey and Henk. It was neat to have the real life Henk and Alexey at the screening but even so this story of international intrigue should entertain any fan of the game.”
Grade: B

Francisco Cangaino says, “A fast-paced, wildly entertaining film. It’s the The Social Network meets Bridge of Spies. An Insigne globe-trotting ride through copyright legal ping pong, corruption, politics and the Cold War. Taron Egerton is fantastic, while Oleg Stefan shines. Score and design are awesome.”
Grade: B-

Nate Adams says, “Tetris thrives on Egerton’s winning personality and his ability to keep this wobbly movie glued together. Likewise Allam (who is completely unrecognizable) and Boyle play their roles with enough cartoonish gravatas, they’d be twirling mustaches if given the opportunity. Still, it’s outlandish mechanics notwithstanding, Tetris does offer a compelling angle to get audiences on the ground level of high-stakes negotiations, but like the game it’s based on, the notoriety eventually wears off, leaving you eager for something else to play.”
Grade: B-

Danielle Broadway says, “Tetris provides many with a video game nostalgia and a light-hearted history lesson about the power players of the early gaming industry. Some jokes land smoothly like well-laid Tetris pieces, others are awkward. The gaming business adventure and Rogers’ family life don’t quite mesh either. However, the film ultimately comes together as an overall okay watch, but could have been greater.”
Grade: C+

Staci L. Wilson says, “There are lots of fascinating aspects to the real story, not the least of which is the murder of a Tetris co-creator—unfortunately, that’s not covered here. Aside from the series The Americans, Cold War-era stuff leaves me, well… cold, and Tetris is no exception.”
Grade: C