Movies Based on Video Games
Superhero movies are all the rage these days but with video games becoming bigger, better and more mainstream are we going to see more movies based on video games in the future? There has been some adaptations of video games to the movie screen but most of them have been average or below average.
How is it then, that film adaptations of video games often fail and never seem to please gamers? Even if a video game seems to have a great story behind all the gameplay is it still to weak to be a movie? Are the characters too underdeveloped, or are the gamers just such a hard audience to please? Well I have some theories about that and I also want to name a few games that I would like to see in the movie theaters. Although I have to admit, I'm really scared were not going to see them and if we will they won't ever live up to my expectations.
1. Most action movies are bad
Most action movies are bad and adaptations of video games are no different. They can be entertaining and fun at times but under all that action there is often not much else. Although most games feature a lot of violence the movie adaptation should (according to me) focus more on character development and story and stay true to the original story.
2. They are not actively engaging
You've just finished a game. You've been playing for hours. Engaged in the game for days or even weeks. You've defeated the enemy and now its over. You feel a little bit lost and don't really know what to do with your life anymore. A highly engaging game makes you feel that you've been part of something bigger than yourself. You're active engaged and emotionally invested in the game and the characters. Few movies will give you that same feeling and that's why you will get disappointed.
3. They try to please everyone
Movie studios don't like to take risks. They recycle old shit, put it in a new package and hope no one will know the difference. That's why were seeing so many reboots, sequels and superhero movies theses days. These are the kind of movies that have a big audience and bring in the most money. Instead of trying a different approach with a video game adaptation they play it safe.
4. Most video games have weak stories and clichéd characters
I hate to admit it, but it is true. Sometimes the clichés work and are somewhat expected but other times they're just ridiculous. However there are some exceptions to the rule, like The Walking Dead and The Last of Us which both have great stories and some complex characters.
5. Some things should be left alone
What I've come to realize over the years watching TV-series and movies is that some things should be left alone. Meaning, don't make a sequel just to make sequel and don't drag out a series for another season if you can't do it well and it also means, don't make a movie adaptation of a video game if it's just another clichéd and violent action movie.
Despite all the reasons above I would gladly want to see the following film adaptations:
Assassin's Creed
Mass Effect
Uncharted
And luckily for me, it seems like all of them are going to hit the movie screen sometime in the future. When it comes to Assassin's Creed I would like to see a movie about Ezio Auditore or better yet a Game of Thrones kind of mini series about Ezio and his journey to become an assassin. It should be a bit dark and filled with mystery and suspense.
The Mass Effect universe is also huge and I doubt one single movie would do it justice so a Mass Effect Trilogy would be the obvious thing to do. All the different characters in the universe that you fell in love with in the game and the relationship between them should be the main focus.
With Uncharted I would like to see an Indiana Jones kind of movie (or trilogy) with the focus on adventure and mystery and naturally the charm and humor of the characters in the video game.
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| Resident Evil is one game franchise that has been adapted to the movie screen. While the movies are entertaining and visually quite stunning they still lack some depth and do not resemble the games that much. |
How is it then, that film adaptations of video games often fail and never seem to please gamers? Even if a video game seems to have a great story behind all the gameplay is it still to weak to be a movie? Are the characters too underdeveloped, or are the gamers just such a hard audience to please? Well I have some theories about that and I also want to name a few games that I would like to see in the movie theaters. Although I have to admit, I'm really scared were not going to see them and if we will they won't ever live up to my expectations.
5 reasons why movie adaptations of video games fail
1. Most action movies are bad
Most action movies are bad and adaptations of video games are no different. They can be entertaining and fun at times but under all that action there is often not much else. Although most games feature a lot of violence the movie adaptation should (according to me) focus more on character development and story and stay true to the original story.
2. They are not actively engaging
You've just finished a game. You've been playing for hours. Engaged in the game for days or even weeks. You've defeated the enemy and now its over. You feel a little bit lost and don't really know what to do with your life anymore. A highly engaging game makes you feel that you've been part of something bigger than yourself. You're active engaged and emotionally invested in the game and the characters. Few movies will give you that same feeling and that's why you will get disappointed.
3. They try to please everyone
Movie studios don't like to take risks. They recycle old shit, put it in a new package and hope no one will know the difference. That's why were seeing so many reboots, sequels and superhero movies theses days. These are the kind of movies that have a big audience and bring in the most money. Instead of trying a different approach with a video game adaptation they play it safe.
4. Most video games have weak stories and clichéd characters
I hate to admit it, but it is true. Sometimes the clichés work and are somewhat expected but other times they're just ridiculous. However there are some exceptions to the rule, like The Walking Dead and The Last of Us which both have great stories and some complex characters.
5. Some things should be left alone
What I've come to realize over the years watching TV-series and movies is that some things should be left alone. Meaning, don't make a sequel just to make sequel and don't drag out a series for another season if you can't do it well and it also means, don't make a movie adaptation of a video game if it's just another clichéd and violent action movie.
Despite all the reasons above I would gladly want to see the following film adaptations:
Assassin's Creed
Mass Effect
Uncharted
And luckily for me, it seems like all of them are going to hit the movie screen sometime in the future. When it comes to Assassin's Creed I would like to see a movie about Ezio Auditore or better yet a Game of Thrones kind of mini series about Ezio and his journey to become an assassin. It should be a bit dark and filled with mystery and suspense.
The Mass Effect universe is also huge and I doubt one single movie would do it justice so a Mass Effect Trilogy would be the obvious thing to do. All the different characters in the universe that you fell in love with in the game and the relationship between them should be the main focus.
With Uncharted I would like to see an Indiana Jones kind of movie (or trilogy) with the focus on adventure and mystery and naturally the charm and humor of the characters in the video game.
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