Top video game movies of all time: part 1

As soon as video games appeared, movie producers began adapting them for the big screen. The logic behind these decisions is understandable, as well-known video games can draw a lot of fans to movie theaters. But they have had limited success over the years.

Some movie adaptations of video games have been able to capture the spirit of the original and make a compelling sequel. Others, however, have taken on the source material and disappointed moviegoers and gamers alike. Here’s a list of the best movies:

1. Super Mario Brothers at the Movies

The best and worst video game movies are based on the Mario franchise. While this version thankfully favored the animated direction over the live-action one, there was still a bit of apprehension about what would pan out. While most of the casting was deemed correct, Chris Pratt’s voicing of Mario raised some doubts. Getting Mario to talk would have been difficult enough, but replacing the only voice actor with a movie star — that’s overkill. Despite all this, the end result is a fantastic and whimsical adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom that feels like it lives up to all the franchise’s expectations.

Another fantastic and whimsical adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom that feels like it lives up to all the franchise’s expectations.

2. Sonic 2 at the movies

Sorry, Sonic, but you’re caving in to Mario again. The sequel corrects many of the mistakes of the original, which was pretty good on its own and helped start a trend of quality game adaptations. The sequel focuses more on Sonic and his story than the human characters, though they are given some time as well. Tails and Knuckles fit perfectly into the story, and Eggman, played by Jim Carrey, is always a joy to watch.

The sequel is a great adaptation of Sonic’s character.

3. Pokémon. Detective Pikachu

.

The anime series “Pokemon” never quite made it to the big screen despite countless attempts, but Pikachu couldn’t be kept from box office glory forever. The first live-action Pokémon movie uses brilliantly detailed CG Pokémon alongside humans to create a vivid world that fans have dreamed of since the original Game Boy. Its noir-mystical plot is predictable and only lightly probes the surface of the universe, but it feels like it was created by longtime fans who grew as the franchise evolved.

So far, it’s a great story.

But the main thing that puts it over the top — is Ryan Reynolds, who delivers his famous sarcasm and wit at a rapid pace as the titular character. Such a charming creature with the voice of a grown man never loses its novelty, especially when he has to interrogate another Pokémon while investigating a missing person.

Here’s what makes it such a great movie.

4. Ancharted: It’s Not On The Cards

Naughty Dog’s games are often compared to movies, so it makes sense to try to turn them into movies. While The Last of Us got a terrific TV series on HBO, Uncharted was first squeezed into a feature-length movie. Key word — “squeezed” because this movie tries to combine elements of almost all the games. Because of this, the plot is somewhat rocky and character development — lacking, but at least it warrants a wild ride. Some amazing set pieces from the games are brought to the screen, as well as one brand new one that we would like to see in a future game. There’s nothing amazing about the movie, but it’s a fun adventure, just like the games.

The movie is a fun adventure, just like the games.

5. Tomb Raider: Lara Croft

.

Angelina Jolie starred in two big-budget Tomb Raider movies as protagonist Lara Croft in 2001 and 2003, but they featured vulgarized elements typical of early video games. When Alicia Vikander took on the role in the 2018 movie “Tomb Raider,” the source material was the rebooted, down-to-earth 2013 game.

The film’s original source material was the rebooted, down-to-earth 2013 game.

Some of the movie’s scariest moments were taken directly from the game, but it was done in a way that felt natural and appropriate for the movie, not just fanservice. Vikander was perfectly cast as Lara Croft, and she was kept company by the always interesting Walton Goggins as the villainous Matthias Vogel.

She’s a great character.

6. Rampage

.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has starred in more than one movie on our list, but “Rampage” is likely the one audiences will remember the most. The movie is based on the classic Midway series of monster arcade games and is as ridiculous as it needs to be to stay interesting.

The movie is based on the classic Midway series of monster arcade games and is as ridiculous as it needs to be to stay interesting.

A giant gorilla is joined by a bizarre wolf-like monster and a sea creature who wreak havoc in a city filled with skyscrapers to climb and destroy, and only Johnson can stop the madness before it’s too late. There’s no memorable dialog or plot moves in this game, but it’s stupidly fun from start to finish.

So far, it’s not the only game that’s a bit of fun.

7. Sonic at the Movies

In recent years, the video game series has been mediocre at best, and the timing of a new movie seemed like a desperate attempt to get money. When the first trailer showed the horrific design of Sonic himself, the internet revolted, leading Paramount Pictures to actually postpone the movie in order to completely redesign the character.

The delay more than paid off: the new Sonic design resembled the video game character and made fans optimistic about the final version of the movie. The movie was made with a younger audience in mind — it has a few fart jokes, — but it holds up with energetic performances from James Marsden and Jim Carrey, as well as Ben Schwartz as Sonic himself. References to game mechanics from the Genesis games and other famous characters are sure to appeal to ’90s kids looking for nostalgic fun, and Sonic doesn’t kiss a single human woman in the entire movie.

Sonic’s fart jokes are a bit of a joke, and he doesn’t kiss a single human woman in the entire movie.

8. Mortal Kombat

.



Despite Fatality’s brutality and gruesome techniques, the Mortal Kombat series has always maintained a sense of humor in its seemingly endless battles between good and evil. The original Mortal Kombat movie, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, was the only work in which live-action Mortal Kombat realized this, retaining the game’s flashy action along with its cambiotic tone.

The original Mortal Kombat movie was the only work in which Mortal Kombat realized this, retaining the game’s flashy action along with its cambiotic tone.

Christopher Lambert as Raiden should tell you everything you need to know about him. Oddly enough, the movie doesn’t have an ounce of video game violence, making it suitable for slightly younger viewers. The movie showed that the world of Mortal Kombat is not limited to violence alone, and that its bizarre mythology can stand alone.

Mortal Kombat.

9. Resident Evil: Damnation

.



The second movie in the “Resident Evil” animated series, “Resident Evil: Curse,” sets the stage for the “Resident Evil 6” video game. The cartoons are filled to the brim with action, but this approach works better than Capcom’s video games, which use elements of quiet suspense to heighten the scares.

An animated movie series, “Resident Evil: Curse,” is the first in a series of animated movies.

In the title role of Leon S. Kennedy stars acclaimed actor Matthew Mercer, and you’ll also see familiar faces like Ada Wong and the monster Tyrant. Unlike the films starring Milla Jovovich, Resident Evil: Damnation feels like it was made by people familiar with the source material, who treat the characters with respect rather than using them as a setting for a story that has little to do with the plots and setting of the games.

Resident Evil: Damnation is a movie that feels like it was made by people familiar with the source material, who treat the characters with respect rather than using them as a setting for a story that has little to do with the plots and setting of the games.