'Uncharted' Review: Don't Put Your Controllers Down
After spending years in development purgatory, the live-action adaptation of Naughty Dog’s beloved video game series has finally made its way to the silver screen. Unfortunately, this underwhelming adaptation won’t have much sway with fans or the uninitiated.
As an avid fan of the games, it’s hard not to be protective over ‘Uncharted’, particularly its phenomenal characters and story. Bringing the revered duo of Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan to life are stars Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, the latter of which who was actually attached to play Drake years prior. Joining them are Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, and Tati Gabrielle. While this cast is notable and full of prominent talent, the casting choices feel misguided and uninspired for the most part.
From the opening frame, Holland simply doesn’t feel like Drake. The talented actor is certainly giving the role his all, delivering impressive physicality in the action sequences and as much emotional depth as he can muster while being saddled with a lackluster script, but the spirit of the character simply isn’t there. It feels as if the audience is watching Peter Parker dress up as Nathan Drake for Halloween, a sure to be disappointing realization for fans of the games. Wahlberg doesn’t fare much better, looking and sounding completely uninterested and lifeless, his chemistry with Holland feeling forced as a result. The dynamic between Sully and Nathan is one of the most entertaining facets of the games, but Wahlberg and Holland simply don’t gel well together. Also, to see the talents of Banderas wasted yet again after ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’ in another mediocre, generic villain role is a notable tragedy.
However, the biggest disservice the film does to fans is not delivering an interesting or involving treasure hunt story, the selling point of the games. The adventure aspect of the film is rushed, poorly written, and extremely boring. Director Ruben Fleischer was certainly aiming to make this adaptation a boisterous hybrid of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Tomb Raider’, but he fails to capture the magic or camp of either of those films. The majority of the action set pieces are generic, fall flat and are edited in a way that will give anyone cinematic whiplash. This is especially disappointing because Fleischer, paired with the right material, can deliver the goods. ‘Zombieland’ and even ‘30 Minutes or Less’ showcase a director with far more creativity and visual panache.
Fortunately, this film isn’t without its merits. Though the film has a fair share of forgettable action sequences, there are a couple of them that are actually fun, well-staged, and choreographed in a way that captured the spirit of the games. In fact, they even emulate a few sequences from the games as well, though they’re not nearly as exciting. In particular, the climactic set piece of the film is easily the highlight, delivering the kind of over-the-top, swashbuckling action that was sorely needed and underutilized. Also, though it could have used more development and attention, the core relationship between Nathan and his brother Sam is well done, firmly establishing the emotional roots of the former in a way that makes him easily accessible and likable.
Even after going in with low expectations, it’s still difficult not to feel immensely disappointed by Uncharted. The games are ripe with terrific characters, stories, and set pieces that would be a delight to see on the big screen, but this adaptation doesn’t have nearly enough fun with its source material to make it worthwhile or truly faithful. Those who haven’t played the games may find some entertainment value here, but for those hoping to feel as if their favorite characters and stories have been properly brought to life will leave the theater with crushing disappointment and a palpable yearning to return to the warm comfort of what they knew before.