This had potential but was sunk by a few things: a plot that made no sense when you stop to think about the series of events/goals/situations, some really bad writing in parts, needless 8 bit transitions, a lack of budget causing there to be no sense of scope of what was going on, a lead actor who was way too young for what was needed, a lead character who was just unlikeable in all ways, KEVIN SMITH RUINING EVERY SCENE HE WAS IN. STOP USING HIM, HE IS TERRIBLE.

I wanted to like this a lot, because it had promise, but it was just one of those things that needed another pass on the script and someone to say NO TO USING KEVIN SMITH.

Gamer Max (Tom Plumley) releases "the harbinger" on the world through an old video game. Typically a loner, he needs the help of others to help him save the world.

This was a "no-think" fun film that included "Silent Bob" and Lin Shaye. Hassie Harrison eye candy. Break out the popcorn for a PG-13 family film.

Guide: No sex or nudity. 1 or 2 F-words.

After the fun of Vicious Fun (2020-also reviewed) I was pleased to see another 80's-set genre flick being presented at GRIMM Fest,leading to me meeting Max Reload.

View on the film:

Aiming to evoke the warm glow of the Family Adventure flicks of the 80's, the screenplay by co-writers/co-directors Scott Conditt & Jeremy Tremp sadly miss their target,due to little urgency coming across in Max and his interchangeable buddies sprint to save the world from a boo-hiss baddie,with 8-Bit gaming lingo dialogue coming off as being forced into an Adventure that suffers from stop/start glitches.

Whilst the coding for the script sadly turns out faulty, the directors display their love for video games with vibrant 8-Bit animation, slick whip-pans towards Max and his pals fighting to defeat the cursed Colecovision game, and neon-lit wide-shots on Kevin Smith unloading gaming trivia in the game shop,as Max reloads.