Taron Egerton Expands On Biopic Success In Tetris

When Hank Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers the computer game Tetris in 1988, he risks everything to travel to the Soviet Union. Once there, he joins forces with the inventor of the game Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the rest of the world. 

At first look, the film seems to be a lighthearted origin story of the most popular video game of all time. While that is true, the majority of the movie focuses on the contract issue of owning the distribution rights to the game in an attempt to make as much money as possible. This becomes convoluted due to the communist nature of the Soviet Union and corruption within their government system. If you are not well versed in legal terminology and business negotiations, the majority of the film will be a bit difficult to follow. There are so many interested parties it can be hard to keep track of who is who. 

Another large part of the film is people speaking Russian or Japanese without subtitles. This adds another layer of complexity in understanding the film. The focus on business and international relations takes away from the fun and playful aspect of the fact that they’re selling a video game. If you’re looking for a tech and geeky film about video games, this isn’t for you. 

Taron Egerton’s track record with biopic-style films is a testament to his skill, adaptability, and discipline to his craft. From Rocketman to Eddie the Eagle, Egerton has cemented himself as a dedicated emulator in the genre. While watching the film I couldn’t help but be reminded of Leonardo DiCaprio’s performances in the past few years. Taron’s ability to dive into a character so deeply and emulate that person’s dialect and personality is so compelling and believable. 

While Taron Egerton’s performance is brilliant, the overall plot of the movie becomes very convoluted for viewers. From legal jargon to untranslated speech, the viewer has a hard time following and understanding the events of the movie. If you’re a fan of biopics and films based on true events, it is worth a watch, but other than that it doesn’t offer much general entertainment for viewers.

Tetris is streaming on Apple TV+.