Spring Break
Video games go from small screen to big one
Wade Zarosinski, Daily Evergreen, Washington State U.
Issue date: 8/29/05 Section: Culture
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(U-WIRE) PULLMAN, Wash. - While most video game-based movies have not been good, three more are on the way with a bit more promise.
In the past, when video games have crossed the into the realm of cinema, the results have been, well, horrible.
Games like "Street Fighter," "Mortal Kombat" and even "Super Mario Brothers" have been made into films, and all have been as crappy as possible. They're very very bad. Not "Gigli" bad, as they do tend to stick somewhat to the plots of the classic games, but a mixture of sub-par acting and directors that were completely disconnected with the game studios ruined what could have been great movies.
In recent years, however, geek-centered movies have shown potential for great success. Comic book-based films are now ranked as some of the highest-grossing films of all times, showing that with the right budget and cast, even the nerdiest film can be great. So studios are now beginning to rethink their treatment of video game-based films, and the release of a new wave is on its way.
First in this new wave is "Doom," the classic first person shooter. The "Doom" series has seen recent success due to the release of "Doom 3" for Xbox and PC, which has been hailed as one of the scariest games of all time. So now, this classic game is being released as a Hollywood production through Universal Studios. It is designated as a Action Sci-Fi Thriller, and is set to be released Oct. 21.
Unfortunately, "Doom" has all the workings of the video game films of the past, and will most likely be horrible. It's cast is full of B-list actors. Its plot has been changed substantially from the game; in the game, scientists open a portal to hell, while in the film, monsters are created by a viral outbreak. And to top it all off, it's starring The Rock. The movie is sure to be chock full of references from the game, but that does not mean it's going to be any good.
There is hope on the horizon for the genre of video game films, however.
In the past, when video games have crossed the into the realm of cinema, the results have been, well, horrible.
Games like "Street Fighter," "Mortal Kombat" and even "Super Mario Brothers" have been made into films, and all have been as crappy as possible. They're very very bad. Not "Gigli" bad, as they do tend to stick somewhat to the plots of the classic games, but a mixture of sub-par acting and directors that were completely disconnected with the game studios ruined what could have been great movies.
In recent years, however, geek-centered movies have shown potential for great success. Comic book-based films are now ranked as some of the highest-grossing films of all times, showing that with the right budget and cast, even the nerdiest film can be great. So studios are now beginning to rethink their treatment of video game-based films, and the release of a new wave is on its way.
First in this new wave is "Doom," the classic first person shooter. The "Doom" series has seen recent success due to the release of "Doom 3" for Xbox and PC, which has been hailed as one of the scariest games of all time. So now, this classic game is being released as a Hollywood production through Universal Studios. It is designated as a Action Sci-Fi Thriller, and is set to be released Oct. 21.
Unfortunately, "Doom" has all the workings of the video game films of the past, and will most likely be horrible. It's cast is full of B-list actors. Its plot has been changed substantially from the game; in the game, scientists open a portal to hell, while in the film, monsters are created by a viral outbreak. And to top it all off, it's starring The Rock. The movie is sure to be chock full of references from the game, but that does not mean it's going to be any good.
There is hope on the horizon for the genre of video game films, however.
