Dateline Movies Presents: From the Console to the Big Screen

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Do any of the pictures above look familiar? Yes, because they're video games, and they're about to be adapted and they are making their way to the big screens. Welcome once more to Dateline Movies, and today we'll be discussing video game themed movies. Video games are already movies in their own right, especially with their own cutscenes and story, so why is there a need for a movie adaptation? That's one of the few questions you would be asking. So while we take a break from our Spotted! posts, let's talk about why or why you should not watch video game adaptations.

Reasons To Watch:

1. It may be entertaining.


With today's top-notch technology, much of the unusual or impossible "game physics" can now be applied to the big screen and since there are obviously a lot of talented screenwriters out there, there is a chance the film may be following the directions correctly. If all of these resources are used wisely and correctly, then the film could not only be a money maker for the studios, it can also be a thrilling and exciting experience for everyone. Just take a look at the trailer for the upcoming movie by 20th Century Fox - Hitman: Agent 47 up there which stars Rupert Friend, Zachary Quinto, Hannah Ware, Angelababy and Thomas Kretschmann and directed by Polish-born Aleksander Bach. Does it make you explode in anticipation?

2. It may be reliable to its source material.


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Creating a setting from a computer is one thing, but keeping track of what went down in the video game world is a whole other story. To make things harder, sometimes video games don't even have any story to tell at all. So what should they do to make a very entertaining script while at the same time being close to its source material? They make new ideas. Without any story to follow, studios have enough creative freedom to surprise the audience and most importantly, avoid cliches. For the ones that do have a story, the screenwriter has to follow it precisely as it is. Of course, a few minor changes and little bits of surprises wouldn't hurt anybody. I mean, it would be amazing if you predicted how the World of Warcraft film would end.

3. It may be a fresh take on the video game.


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Like I said previously, if the video game's story is unavailable or simply "unfilmable", the studios have enough creative freedom to build something new. Most of the time, it would be controversial, similar to the to-be-released FANT4STIC and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice films. Of course they're comic book adaptations, not video game ones. With the money they might have, they might even create their own universe that have connections with its original material. It may be different, but you know what they say, "Don't judge a book by its cover", more especially if it may be an Assassin's Creed film.

Reasons NOT To Watch:


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1. It may be awful, simply awful.

Is the name Uwe Boll ringing any bells? (Cricket Noises) In my own honest opinion, this filmmaker's name is living proof why video games cannot be transformed into flicks. For those who are not that familiar with his reputation, he is known for adapting a lot of popular video games, but instead of taking a new direction, he borrows plot elements from other well-known movies. In addition, his takes on the games are seen as unintentionally humorous, poorly directed, and complete with uninspired acting and screenwriting. To make it worse though, he even took a lot of A-List artists down with him. These names include Jason Statham, Ron Perlman, Christian Slater, Michael Madsen, J.K. Simmons, Ray Liotta, John-Rhys Davies, and even Sir Ben Kingsley. Luckily, none of their careers were doomed. To sum it up, these types of films could just waste your time, or your money, but mostly both.


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2. It may just turn everything you love into one big joke.

Okay, I have said enough good about the idea of having creative freedom. Now let's check about the downside of this subject. Sometimes studios are very afraid of change or originality. I wonder why? Oh yeah, it's because of money. But hey, nobody wants to buy a ticket just because it replicates the thrill of other movies. Take the Resident Evil film series for example. Even though it is about to (thankfully) end, these movies just goes to show you that just because you're bearing the name of the game, it doesn't mean it'll be just like it and will likely be more like many others. If comic books fans can't take changes in their flicks, then you probably wouldn't want to hear what gamers would like to say.

3. It may go overkill with CGI or chatter.



Have you watched the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy and loved the computer-generated characters? Have you seen the Transformers flicks and thrill at the action sequences? Have you even understood what the Matrix sequels were trying to tell us? No? Then you're not the only one, because the reason why you probably didn't enjoy much of it is because of the overabundance of exposition, CGI or both. Okay, so they may not be based on video games, but it is still sensible with our topic. As much as I enjoy adding a thought-provoking spin on these adaptations or cool and thrilling action, I would rather be playing the games if its all too much. The film version of Doom suffered because of too much CGI but little story, while I believe that the Lara Croft films did the opposite. Here's to hoping future films would be grand.

4. It may be too gritty for kids or too childish for adults.


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Lastly, the most crucial thing about video game movies are their changes or uneven pacing of tone. If the game is made for everyone, there shouldn't be any reason to darken the atmosphere, and if it is created for an adult audience, there is no need to censor everything. Sure, young fans of mature-oriented products may not see it or adult fans may be bored, but at least they would not disappoint the expectations of many. The studios should exceed our expectations, not decrease. Super Mario Bros. was suppose to be a lighthearted film, but it was transformed into a creepy, dystopian creation.

I know what you're saying, "I don't think I'd be spending any money on these flicks", but remember what I said earlier, since appearances can be deceiving. So before I close this article, I'll leave you this schedule of upcoming video game films. Sayonara!!!

Schedules of Upcoming Video Game Movies

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1. Ratchet and Clank (To Be Released in May 15, 2015)
2. Hitman: Agent 47 (Reboot, To Be Released in August 28, 2015)
3. Warcraft (To Be Released in March 11, 2016)
4. Angry Birds (To Be Released in May 20, 2016)
5. Uncharted (To Be Released in June 10, 2016)
6. Assassin's Creed (To Be Released in December 21, 2016)
7. Sly Cooper (To Be Released Sometime 2016)
8. Metal Gear Solid (To Be Released Sometime 2016)
9. Sonic The Hedgehog (To Be Released Sometime 2016)
10. Mass Effect (Possible Trilogy, To Be Released Sometime 2018-2019)
11. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (Conclusion, Unknown Release Date)
12. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 3 (Reboot, Unknown Release Date)
13. Just Cause: Scorpion Rising (Unknown Release Date)
14. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Possible Franchise, Unknown Release Date)
15. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (Possible Franchise, Unknown Release Date)
16. Mortal Kombat 3 (Reboot, Unknown Release Date)
17. The Last of Us (Unknown Release Date)
18. Gran Turismo (Possible Franchise, Unknown Release Date)
19. Shadow of the Colossus (Unknown Release Date)
20. Minecraft (Unknown Release Date)
21. Five Nights at Freddy's (Possible Franchise, Unknown Release Date)
22. Pikmin (Possible Franchise, Unconfirmed)
23. Temple Run (Unconfirmed)
24. Cut The Rope (Unconfirmed)

2 comments:

  1. no offense to the people who are doing this... but most of these would probably be horrible and the rest will probably end up the same anyway

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hope not! If that will happen, many moviegoers will be really disappointed since many movies based on video games will certainly be coming to the big screen.

    ReplyDelete