This week's weekly discussion is about Video Game films, and how they have the astute inability to always be terrible, or in the worst case scenario just passable. For years video games and comics were in a realm of "can't be properly brought to film". Their translations were always over the top, too silly, not given the right talent to work on the film, surrounded with people that either didn't know, understand, or care about the story. Comics started taking off with big studio efforts like Spider-Man from Sony and X-Men from FOX. When those efforts started tanking Marvel started their own studios to nurture their own franchises into films that stuck to the comics, yet provided a story that non-comic fans could enjoy. It wasn't until The Dark Knight where comic book movies were finally respected as great films. Video Games never got that break, The peak of any nerd's love for a video game movie is usually the first Mortal Kombat film. I could sit here and name all other failed franchises brought to theaters but you already know them and the list is too long, we would be here all day.
This subject only came to light again recently with the news pouring out about the Uncharted film by David 'O Russell. A lot of people had hope for this film based off of his body of work (his newest film The Fighter is in Oscar talk and already nailed Christian Bale a Golden Globe) that it could be the first great game film. Not to mention the great story the franchise already has. This game GOT it's recognition because of the great story, strong characters, and excellent dialog. You played through the game just to get to the next scene. It was legitimately funny and charming. The rumors that are coming out now is that the film will star Mark Wahlberg, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci as a famly of artifact police protecting the world's greatest treasure. THIS IS NOTHING LIKE THE GAME. Nathan Drake is a treasure hunter, borderline thief who doesn't really work with his family nor are they really mentioned in the game. Not to mention the war of words between the creators of the game and Russell/Wahlberg. Marky Mark came out and said he would be starring in the film and De Niro and Pesci would be in it as well. Russell stated the story he has come up with as the artifact police family. All the while the creators are interviewed after the fact and say "no one of that is true, we talked to Russell ourselves" and less then a week later Wahlberg is saying "oh no it's true, I am aboard and it's happening. The right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing.
So I ask, should developers take a hands on approach to their titles to ensure they are properly represented on film in a way Marvel has? Microsoft tried this with Halo and failed because the budget was too high and demanding. The big M didn't want their flagship title represented unless it was to theirs and Bungie's visions. Now with technology where it is there is a good chance costs could be lowered for the film. I'm not sure what it will take to see a video game film brought to life that pleases fans and general movie goers alike, but it sure as hell isn't going to be anything Uwe Boll directs.
What are your thoughts on this topic? That is what the comments section is opened up for. Leave your opinions on this article and let me know what you think.
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