 "enjoyable and fun action film" | 2009-10-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: AEMBUPROMU8EI |
Something has gone horribly amiss at the scientific settlement of Olduvai on the planet of Mars, and a panicked Dr Carmack (named after the co-founder of ID Software, which released the game) calls for assistance. Cue the Sarge (Dwayne Johnson, former WWE wrestler "The Rock", The Scorpion King (Widescreen Collector's Edition)) and his men - a Special Forces team, the RRTS (Rapid Response Tactical Squad), who are dispatched via the transport system called the "arc" to place the site under quarantine and find out what is going on. When they arrive at the settlement they discover more of a problem than they expected.
One of the RRTS team has previous experience of Olduvai - his parents were killed on an archaeological dig and his twin sister, Sam (Rosamund Pike), who followed their footsteps, is working on Olduvai. John Grimm known as "Reaper" (Karl Urban - Out of the Blue, Bones in Star Trek and Eomer in the The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)) is apprehensive about going back.
People tend to fall into one of two camps where this film is concerned - you are either a fan of the games or you haven't seen/played the games.
I came to this film without knowing about the video games (in all honesty I'd never heard of the games prior to getting the film), so I came with an open mind and I enjoyed the film for what it is - an action flick with zombies thrown in. The basic story is set up in the first 10-15 minutes after that you simply hang on and watch the action.
Not having played the games before I watched the film I did not understand the problem with the demons (or lack of them), yet there is a nod to them in various places throughout the film. Nor did I understand the First Person Shooter scene towards the end of the film. Since watching the film I have purchased the games Doom Collector's Edition and Doom 3 and have started playing (well, I'm trying) and I now understand the disappointment - but it doesn't stop this being a great action film.
On the first few viewings I didn't get the First Person Shooter sequence near the end of the film, since I have started playing the games I now get it and actually jump when some of the monsters appear. For gamers it includes the Big Force Gun (BFG).
There are extras (basic training, rock formation, master monster makers, first person shooter sequence, doom nation and game on). There are also subtitles - I know from personal experience that subtitles tend to contain an edited text of what is spoken. These subtitles, however, contain out-and-out errors - for example: "on you Duke" becomes "funny Duke" (which makes no sense in the scene); "airway's clear" becomes "now he's clear"; and so on - a friend of mine does subtitling and tells me that they get a copy of the script to work from, so there is no excuse for errors like these.
If you are into film errors I spotted a couple: one error happens when they are trying to resuscitate one of their team the heart monitor is bleeping and then goes flat line - only then do they put the chest lead connectors on the patient (but still don't connect the leads); I've yet to meet a sergeant/serjeant that will accept being called "sir"; and US Marines never call each other soldier.
I tend to refer to this as Resident Evil in space. It's one of those films which can be watched without too much brain power. It is a great action film which I have enjoyed watching over and over again. |
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 "Not Very Bad At All" | 2009-10-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1XVJJPYQDFQE9 |
| I'm not going to compare the movie to the game. It's surprisingly decent considering the quirky filming style the director uses to dumb down the experience for the younger fans. The acting isn't stellar, but better than other movies in the genre. I, for one, liked The Rock in this movie. He played a pretty convincing enigma of a man. The leading protagonist, played by Karl Urban, was very believable and had excellent chemistry with his do-gooder sister Rosamund Pike. This is not surprising, considering both actors have previously acted in far more well recieved films. The other actors don't entirely feel human, but I won't criticize their talents; it is clearly a kid friendly script. And it's a fairly good attempt, for that matter. For one thing, the film is actually scary. Not really terrifying, but it does do a good job of building suspense throughout by introducing the film's lead antagonists gradually through use of shadow-work, (not so) scary growls and especially the "zombies" which are a result of a supposed demonic posession. It keeps you watching. The gore is horrific. All of the film's victims are made up pretty well for the macabre, and while there are some cheesy "CGI" elements for aircraft and creature models, it's a pretty human movie. I felt for the victims. For any casual horror fan, it's not going to be as good of an experience when compared to one who enjoys Science Fiction. Because it's 2009, I can't really remember which films came first, but it's a better movie than Alien VS Preditor; probably as good Event Horizon, Resident Evil and Pandorum; but clearly not as good as Alien since this film is aimed towards teenagers. The PC game has nothing to do with how good or bad the film is. I loved that series growing up, and this film didn't let me down. C+ |
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 "Overlong, unoriginal, dull, blah blah blah" | 2009-09-07 |
| - Reviewed By ragnarsbeard |
I've never played the video game the movie is based on so I'm only reviewing the movie for what it was. A bunch of marines are called to a research facility on Mars that is accessed from a portal on Earth. When they get there they find that the scientists have been attacked by some kind of creature and are now transforming.
Sadly, there is nothing original in this movie. Marines going in to investigate a distress call: check. Special effects monsters: check. Scientists doing secret, ill-advised work: check. Lighting so dark you can't see what's going on: check. Humans transforming into murderous creatures: check.
There is nothing here you haven't seen before in a better movie and worst of all it's a pretty dull ride. There is no suspense, no surprises, just one rote scene after another. |
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| "some good moments, worth a view if you like sci fi or monsters" | 2009-07-15 |
| - Reviewed By painterjohnr2 |
| I'll keep it short but hopefully interesting as to why this movie is worth viewing despite obvious flaws and failings, first of all the strongest element of this film is the setting, some extremely interesting and convincing environments, research labs, chambers, all very well done, and not cheap looking at all. Monsters always look great, and the director does a good job of keeping the monsters hidden most of the time from camera view, so there is some actual suspense as to when the monsters will appear. Now for the story, - this film actually has a real story, and is not just a shootem-up like I expected, and maybe in some ways this doesn't work. It may have been better just to say there are all these evil aliens and then have the film about fighting them and that's all. But instead, the film actually surprises with an attempt at an immersive and deep story, and I still am not sure what to make of it. What is weak about this film is the dialogue, not the acting, the dialogue. How much better could the whole film been with better dialogue. Overall I went in with some very low expectations, and was fairly pleasantly surprised overall. The character of Samantha, was especially interesting and I would be interested in seeing the actress who played her in something else. |
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 "Some wil like it some will not" | 2009-07-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2K0AH19NU9CR9 |
I enjoyed this movie, even if it wasnt 100% like the games. I fine with it, to me it was a good action.
I can understand while alot of folks dislike it as they expected it to be 100% exact copy of the game and dont like the rock. But still I bought this to replace the Dvd edition I got went it came on dvd.
I would recommand to any one as long they dont look at it as a game to movie but as a action movie it self. That way they wouldnt have the game in their minds when there watching it but rather a action movie. |
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| "Actually A Good Movie..." | 2009-06-22 |
| - Reviewed By impickles |
I was seriously skeptical about this film. I love "The Rock" but most video game flicks just don't turn out that great. Surprisingly, I think I liked this film as well as the AVP series and at least as well as "The Rock's" other films. It's not a masterpiece like "Predator" or "Alien" but it's definitely worth the price.
SOME CONTENT NOTES:
I've only seen the unrated version, so I can't comment on the theatrical. I can tell discerning viewers that the violence is pretty extreme (like the game, it involves chainsaws, giant guns and all kinds of impalement and dismemberment) the language is pretty heavy (though not pervasively so) and there is a scene of unneeded nudity involving one of the infected. I understand that the nude scene was not in the original "R" rated version... and I certainly don't think it was needed. It's pretty easy to fast forward, but still...
BOTTOM LINE:
The unrated version is a lot longer than the theatrical, so there's gotta be a lot of extra content. I would get this version (keeping in mind the reservations noted above.) You'll be surprised at how decent and suspenseful it actually is! |
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