Ever since video games became big business, Hollywood has been trying to tap into that built in audience by developing a slew of video game related movies. The thing is, out of every ten video game movie, maybe one is good? And by good, I mean able to be watched. It is a tricky proposition, considering that the key differentiator between a video game and a movie is that in a video game, you are directing the action and making things happen. In a movie, you are merely watching as things unfold in front of you. Despite this track record, Hollywood keeps trying, hoping to finally tap into the potential of a great video game adaptation that can turn into a lucrative franchise, with entries coming to screens big and small such as Super Mario, Halo, The Last of Us, and more. Which begs the question – which video game movie adaptation is the best of all time?
There are a couple that come to mind, for me. At the top of my list is the surprise hit of 2020, Sonic the Hedgehog. That movie, against all odds and a public outcry due to poor graphics of the titular character, was honestly really great. The depiction of Sonic was pitch perfect, and it featured a return to his glory days for Jim Carrey. Maybe it worked so well because nothing was good was happening at the time of its release; or maybe because expectations were so low it blew them out of the water. Whatever the reason, it just worked. It worked so well that the sequel, which got a cool trailer just last week, comes out next year.
This is definitely cheating, but I think that Wreck-it Ralph, though not based on an existing game, is an excellent video game movie. It perfectly captured the feeling of retro classics and the light tension between video games of yesterday and the newer, flashier video games of today.
So, which movie is it for you? Assassin’s Creed? Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time? Scott Pilgrim vs The World? Let us know your thoughts and ideas below, or join the conversation on the Boss Rush Discord.
Featured Image: HDQ Walls
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