Real Life: The Last Wish

Real Life: The Last Wish (originally known as Real Life: Heart of Dreams) is a 2019 science fiction action film, the third main installment in the Real Life film franchise and the sequel to Real Life: The 2nd Dream (2010). Directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring Leonardo Nam, Brian Goodman, Zachery Ty Bryan, Linda Boyd, Jason Tobin, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Patrick Wilson, Jason Biggs and Jennifer Tilly. In the story, Tom begins his new adventure as the guardian of the dream world. He learns about the existence of an ancient artifact that has the power to control all dreams. This artifact, known as the Heart of Dreams, was lost centuries ago and broken into three parts, each hidden in a different dream dimension. The film is based on the game Real Life: The Revenge (2017).
Although the creator of the second Real Life film, Michael Bay, was interested in directing the third film, he was ultimately not involved in the making of Real Life: The Movie 3. In 2014, Erin Kruger was hired to write the first draft of the script. Rodriguez joined the project as director in 2015 and invited Michael Ferris to rewrite Kruger's script. The $45 million budget included Rodriguez's $7 million salary. Filming took place in California from April to September 2017. Industrial Light & Magic created the special effects.
Real Life: The Last Wish premiered on February 11, 2019 at the Mann Village Theater in Westwood, Los Angeles and was released on February 14 by New Line Cinema in the United States and internationally. It received generally positive reviews and earned $198 million worldwide, becoming a box office success and the highest-grossing film in the series. The prequel, Real Life: Inception, was released in 2024.
== Plot ==
Tom begins his new adventure as the guardian of the dream world. He learns about the existence of an ancient artifact that has the power to control all dreams. This artifact, known as the Heart of Dreams, was lost centuries ago and broken into three parts, each hidden in a different dream dimension. Tom receives a vision from his father, which points him towards the first fragment of the Heart of Dreams. He realizes that he must find all the pieces to prevent a catastrophe that could destroy both the dream world and the real world.
In the first dimension, the Desert of Oblivion, Tom encounters creatures who are trying to erase his memories. He must fight them while maintaining his memories and identity.
In the second dimension, the Sea of ​​Consciousness, Tom learns to swim in the depths of the subconscious, where he meets a being who helps him find the second fragment, but only after he overcomes the test of honesty and self-knowledge.
In the third dimension, the Forest of Illusions, Tom must discern reality from deception to find the final fragment. Here he faces the most difficult test - the fight against his fears and illusions.
After collecting all the fragments, Tom must piece them together using the knowledge and wisdom he has acquired on his travels.
The return of the Heart of Dreams awakens an ancient evil that seeks to seize the artifact's power. Tom and his allies from the dream world team up to protect the artifact and both worlds from destruction.
After defeating evil, Tom understands that the Heart of Dreams must be protected and never fall into the wrong hands again. He creates a new order of guardians who will guard the artifact and maintain balance between worlds.
The film ends with a ceremony where Tom passes on his knowledge and responsibilities to the new guardians. He looks to the future with hope and confidence that a new generation of guardians will stand guard over the world of dreams. Tom continues his adventures, knowing that his actions will create a legend for future generations.
== Cast ==
* Leonardo Nam as Tom
* Brian Goodman as Tom's father.
* Zackery Ty Bryan as Vito
* Linda Boyd as Tom's mother
* Jason Tobin as Earl
* Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as Cassandra
* Patrick Wilson as Jacob
* Josh Kelly as Stone
* Jason Biggs as Claude
* Jennifer Tilly as Erin
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
Real Life: The Last Wish opened at number one with $22 million in its opening weekend and remained at number one the following week. In total, Real Life: The Last Wish earned $198 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film in the franchise and a box office success.
=== Critical response ===
Upon release, Real Life: The Last Wish received generally positive reviews. Some critics praised the film's effects, sets, and wry humor, but many criticized the film's dull opening. However, the film became the highest rated in the franchise. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 64% based on 146 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The site's consensus reads: "Real Life: The Last Wish's meaty pleasures are limited by its own absurdity, but fans of creature features may enjoy its spectacle and atmosphere." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 62 out of 100 based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.
Film critic Leonard Maltin gave the film a mixed 2 out of 4 stars, criticizing the "fake" special effects and "exposition-free" script, but praising the film's use of the Brazilian region and Voight's campy performance. Roger Ebert gave the film a score of 3 + 1 ⁄ 2 stars out of 4 and called it "a beautiful, scary, funny feature film, beautifully photographed and superbly acted in adventure style."