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The Call Up

  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
4.9/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
The Call Up (2016)
Trailer for The Call Up
Play trailer2:03
4 Videos
28 Photos
ActionSci-FiThriller

A group of online gamers are invited to try a state-of-the-art virtual reality video game but things take a sinister turn when these masters of the shoot-'em-up discover that they will actua... Read allA group of online gamers are invited to try a state-of-the-art virtual reality video game but things take a sinister turn when these masters of the shoot-'em-up discover that they will actually be fighting for their lives.A group of online gamers are invited to try a state-of-the-art virtual reality video game but things take a sinister turn when these masters of the shoot-'em-up discover that they will actually be fighting for their lives.

  • Director
    • Charles Barker
  • Writers
    • Charles Barker
    • Damian Fitzsimmons
  • Stars
    • Max Deacon
    • Morfydd Clark
    • Ali Cook
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.9/10
    4.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Charles Barker
    • Writers
      • Charles Barker
      • Damian Fitzsimmons
    • Stars
      • Max Deacon
      • Morfydd Clark
      • Ali Cook
    • 64User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos4

    The Call Up
    Trailer 2:03
    The Call Up
    The Call Up
    Trailer 2:05
    The Call Up
    The Call Up
    Trailer 2:05
    The Call Up
    Official Trailer - "The Call Up"
    Trailer 2:02
    Official Trailer - "The Call Up"
    The Call Up - Trailer
    Trailer 2:04
    The Call Up - Trailer

    Photos27

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    Top Cast21

    Edit
    Max Deacon
    Max Deacon
    • Carl
    Morfydd Clark
    Morfydd Clark
    • Shelly
    Ali Cook
    Ali Cook
    • Edward
    Tom Benedict Knight
    Tom Benedict Knight
    • Marco
    Chris Obi
    Chris Obi
    • Sergeant
    • (as Christopher Obi)
    Boris Ler
    Boris Ler
    • Zahid
    Douggie McMeekin
    Douggie McMeekin
    • Adam
    Adriana Randall
    • Taylor
    Parker Sawyers
    Parker Sawyers
    • Andre
    Greg Kolpakchi
    Greg Kolpakchi
    • Tortured Terrorist
    Jaimi Barbakoff
    Jaimi Barbakoff
    • Wanda
    • (voice)
    Dino Fazzani
    • Terrorist
    Leo Chell
    • Terrorist
    Peter Sean Morris
    • Terrorist
    • (as Peter Morris)
    Stuart McNeil
    Stuart McNeil
    • Terrorist
    Chris Cusick
    • Terrorist
    • (as Christopher Cusick)
    Gary John Barber
    • Terrorist
    • (as Gary Barber)
    Simon Cooke
    • Terrorist
    • Director
      • Charles Barker
    • Writers
      • Charles Barker
      • Damian Fitzsimmons
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews64

    4.94.2K
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    Featured reviews

    5demanufacturer

    Wasted opportunity

    Well shot and composed with good colors and contrast. Appropriate solid special effects and motion graphics, not over the top at all.

    Yes these are aesthetic observations but aesthetics are important, especially in Sci-Fi. They're also the only good thing I can say about the movie.

    Horrible acting and a horrible script. I don't know whats worse, the script or the casting. The stereotypes are also poorly written. For stereotypes. All the building blocks were there for something more coherent and edgy. A tighter script with some better casting could have turned this into a cult classic.

    The missed opportunity is highlighted even more by the solid production work. Unfortunate.
    8RobbieSDA

    Really enjoyed "The Call Up"!

    Am glad I watched this movie before reading reviews from this site!

    As someone who is not usually much for action movies, but am a gamer and love technology, this movie was very intriguing and enjoyable.

    While there may very well have been weaknesses in the film, by allowing myself to feel a part of the experience and engage what was presented, I found the movie to be very good.

    I went in with no particular expectations, and walked away sufficiently happy with my viewing, even to the point of encouraging another friend to watch it as well.

    Yes, the movie is a bit weak in the acting/story at times, and somewhat predictable. But, if you can watch it for what it is, and enjoy the unique aspects of the movie and set aside the points I mention above, you can also have a positive viewing of this movie.

    The Virtual Reality aspect of this movie was what drew me to it, and the presentation of the VR was excellent to me. It looked cool and was believable.

    Still find it hard to see why some people are rating this movie so harshly. Was it an Emmy winner? Um, no. Was it a nice sci-fi action flick with a VR twist worth watching? For me, absolutely!
    6ruthmarybennett

    Solid action film with a sci-fi premise

    I love sci-fi that explores the human impact of developments in technology and the premise for The Call-Up promises plenty of that. How do different personalities react when they realise that the VR game they've been invited to participate in is more sinister than it first appeared?

    Although this central dilemma is prominent in the first part of the film, once the plot gets going, the action leads and the pace keeps you engaged as the characters are forced to learn quickly and figure out whether to work together or turn against each other. The way that the film's perspective mirrors that of the protagonists as they switch between 'real' and 'virtual' is impressive and compelling to watch.

    I would have liked to see a bit more focus on the psychology of the premise, but with a concept of this scope, there's only so much you can cover, and the action-movie elements win out. The effects are impressive for a low-budget debut and I found the acting convincing, although there isn't much nuance to the characters.

    Worth a watch if you enjoy action films that make you think.
    8peetamellarkmail

    Very Good! Those who left low ratings shouldn't have done so.

    This movie is full of action and suspense. Haves some similarities of the Cube series, but while being very different. If you like Cube, then you'll probably like this. I'm not going to post anything about the movie containing spoilers. You'll have to watch it yourself! That being said, don't join a contest without looking into it! Also, don't be stupid and try your best! This movie contains footage of gamer noobs doing stupid things like wasting grenades, wasting ammo, and making unnecessary noises, and being bad team members is general. Viewer discretion is advised! I rate this movie PG for no pornographic scenes, but usage of colorful language.
    6Lisa_Loves

    Inventive, immersive and entertaining with a bit of an anti-climax

    As someone who used to enjoy gaming a lot before the house was taken over by a wee one, I have to say, the kind of virtual reality shown in this movie seemed like a dream. Thing is, it very quickly turns into a nightmare. I can imagine most Gamers would enjoy the movie, even if it were only for the possibilities....

    The movie follows a group of elite Gamers who are called up to try out a new virtual reality experience. When things quickly take a sinister turn, are the best-of-the-best good enough to finish the game?

    I enjoyed The Call Up as I quickly became engaged with the characters. The acting was solid and the special effects were spot on. It takes you to the next level of game-play and makes you think about what we actually do in games when we're blowing each others heads off. There is a kind of predictability of sorts, but that would be nigh on impossible for this not to be the case and it's not as if the entire story is wide open.

    The ending was a bit of an anticlimax, but in actual fact, this probably is a good thing given the mood of the movie.

    I did enjoy the movie and would recommend it to any Gamers or avid movie watchers. It's never going to be a blockbuster or total crowd pleaser, but I didn't feel I'd wasted time by watching it (how I judge most movies) and I wouldn't be averse to watching it again. If you don't find the prospect of virtual reality intriguing or feel like gaming is for kids, then probably best to give this one a wide berth.

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis and Taniel in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The way the body armour and hit points work is very similar to the ghouls and ghosts gaming series
    • Goofs
      The Sergeant (Chris Obi) has a mixture of ribbons from the Air Force Basic Training Ribbon (on top row for God's sake) to the Bronze Star (on the position of the least ranking -- it is the 20th military ranking of all military awards and is usually found on the top (highest ranking) row. There are other service and auxiliary ribbons that could be from JrROTC to Police/Fire to Foreign. All it takes for wardrobe to set these ribbons correctly is to look up the proper military service "Order of Preference."

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 24, 2016 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Simülasyon
    • Filming locations
      • Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Red & Black Films
      • Stigma Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $152,294
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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