Video games and movies have had a strained relationship for decades. With constant tries, the chemistry between the two has shown to be extremely hard to master. There have been dozens of takes on prominent video game titles to adapt them onto the big screen, with many falling short of expectations. The curse of video game film adaptations is a long-standing opinion that video games and movies should stay separate.
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However, there have been several rare occurrences throughout the years when a video game adaptation pulls through and gets a number of aspects right, one of which is casting. Casting is arguably the linchpin when it comes to video game movie adaptations, and if not done right, it pushes the fandom away from the experience. Here are some movies based on video games that nailed the castings.
7 Mortal Kombat
If Mortal Kombat Characters Existed In The Real World…
- Director: Paul Anderson
- Release: 1995
Mortal Kombat debuted on the arcade system in the early nineties and was met with spectacular praise for its visceral combat and unique characters. The title boomed thanks to the hard work at NetheRealm studios and birthed a massive franchise that has had over ten sequels to the original game. Additionally, two games into the franchise, a live-action movie was produced and released in nineteen-ninety-five based on the game’s third release in the same year.
The film received moderate praise and garnered a dedicated cult following for its respect of the source material. The film’s casting was also heavily favored as each actor and actress embodied their characters appropriately, from Robin Shou’s Liu Kang and Linden Ashby’s Johnny Cage.
6 Max Payne
Mark Wahlberg’s Portrayal Of A Vengeful Cop Hit The Nail On The Head
- Director: John Moore
- Release: 2008
Max Payne was a smash hit in the gaming community during the era of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox generation consoles, celebrated for its intense gunplay and gritty narrative. The game saw two sequels in the franchise and a film adaptation in 2008.
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While the opinions surrounding the film vary between players, critics, and reviewers, the split talk about the movie centered around the deviations from the game’s main plot and the creative takes from director John Moore. However, the casting of Mark Wahlberg and his performance were complimented. Wahlberg’s depiction of a gritty, disheveled cop out for revenge was met positively.
5 Doom
Karl Urban and The Rock Carried An Otherwise Lackluster Film On Their Backs
- Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
- Release: 2007
Doom is a classic video game title that saw success during the video game boom of the nineties and found a dedicated fanbase throughout multiple console generations. The game saw a revitalization in its 2016 reboot, which spawned two more sequels, with the second being released later next year.
Doom received a film adaptation in 2005, which was panned poorly upon its release. However, while its shortcomings were aspects of more sophisticated filmmaking, fans celebrated the movie for being a solid action flick. Additionally, praised were Karl Urban and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s castings as the main protagonists and antagonists of the film.
4 Uncharted
Tom Holland Was Perfect As Nathan Drake
- Director: Ruben Fleisher
- Release: 2022
Uncharted is a highly praised video game franchise, similar to the Tomb Raider series, which has also garnered a large fanbase. The series is made popular by its main protagonist, Nathan Drake, who is a ragged, charismatic modern-day adventurer. The game saw consistent success that led to multiple sequels as a PlayStation exclusive developed by Naughty Dog.
Recently, the franchise saw a film adaptation helmed by veteran Mark Wahlberg and rising star Tom Holland. With many speculating Wahlberg as the picture-perfect Nathan Drake, it was Holland who wowed fans and strutted into the role comfortably.
3 Tomb Raider
Alicia Vikander Became The Real-Life Lara Croft
- Director: Roar Uthaug
- Release: 2018
Tomb Raider is one of the top classic games of the original console generation and has stood the test of time from its original release all the way to its soft reboot in 2015. The reboot did exceptionally well, being loved for its intense action and graphic gameplay.
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The games did so well that they birthed the film adaptation that followed a few years later. Tomb Raider starred Alicia Vikander, who brought class and intensity to the film. The movie was received relatively well, but Vikander’s portrayal of Laura Croft was praised as a breakout role.
2 Hitman
Timothy Oliphant Brought Agent 47 To Life
- Director: Xavier Gens
- Release: 2007
The Hitman franchise is a dark tale of an anti-hero assassin raised to be the perfect killer from birth. Instead of bringing more evil into the world, Agent 47 decided to use his skills against some of the most powerful and well-protected criminals in the world.
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The Hitman series has its original trilogy and a handful of spin-offs across mobile platforms. As its popularity grew, it received a film adaptation in 2007. The story focused on a well-established Agent 47 running from international justice agencies and trying to save the life of a working girl caught in the crossfire. While the film received mixed reviews, Timothy Oliphant starred as the leading man and brought well-received talent to the role of the Sphinx-like assassin.
1 Sonic The Hedgehog
Jim Carrey Took No Hostages With His Stellar Performance
- Director: Jeff Fowler
- Release: 2020
Sonic the Hedgehog is the most recent addition to video game movies as of late. Shockingly, after a shaky production period, the film was released and widely received positively and can arguably be considered the first video game movie smash hit. The film wowed fans and newcomers alike, sparking a sequel that was released just two years after the original movie.
From special effects to the film’s story, critics and fans praised the film. Additionally, with the casting of Jim Carrey as Doctor Eggman and Ben Schwartz lending his voice to Sonic The Hedgehog, the performances in the movie were nailed and are the best video game portrayals to date.
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