Because not everything in life is a house of the dead and a rain of blood. Discover the hidden gems that will make you believe in video game adaptation
Let’s be honest, when someone says “a movie based on a video game,” a few movie disasters come to mind. But beyond Bloodraynes and this world’s house of the dead, there are works that will make you reconsider your cynicism. For a groundbreaking adaptation, let’s dive into this universe that lies between poetry and tragedy.
It’s time for video game legends to come to life, and no, I’m not talking about spending a fortune on a character skin in Fortnite. Against all odds, I’m going to visit movies and series that have kept their pixel roots.
Mirai Ninja: The origin of everything is in Japan, obviously
The first film based on a video game was Did you know that it started in 1988 and is titled Mirai Ninja? Keita Amemiya, who was making his directorial debut, seems to have channeled his visual talents into a low-budget film from the whims of geeks. Stunning feudal Japanese architecture and unbridled sci-fi show us that a good adaptation doesn’t have to have a stratospheric budget. Here the samurai cut the air with laser lights and anything is possible.
Street Fighter II: Not only is it a movie, it’s an icon of a generation.
The next stop takes us into the anime realm with Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie. This ’90s classic, darker and more violent than any subsequent live-action version, gives us a bloody ode to masculinity. Although it sounds cliché, the film surprises with its amazing fight scenes and a subtext of relationships between characters that makes it a little deeper than you might expect.
Catastrophe: Where Stars Are Born
Long before Carl Urban and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson were household names, Doom did it. And even though the original game was a pixelated version of ‘Aliens’, the film managed to add its own twist to the action genre. Doom moves away from the most exciting interpretations and pulls us closer to the horror without losing the touch of pulp that connects us to the screen.
Castlevania: From console to streaming platform
It took nearly three decades for Castlevania to find its way into a worthy adaptation. Netflix made it possible, and boy did they do it well. The animated series elevated what was initially a jumble of horror clichés into a coherent and addictive narrative. And with a voice recording to take your hat off.
Tomb Raider: A New Beginning for Lara Croft
And when it comes to big stars, Tomb Raider takes the cake. Alicia Vikander brings the necessary humanity to a character who could easily be a caricature. Although the plot sounds like something out of any adventure movie, it manages to capture the essence of the original game while providing moments of real drama.
Mortal Kombat: Epic Scenes Across the Ages
We conclude our journey with a saga fortunate enough to receive not one but two decent hypotheses. Although both Mortal Kombat movies have their own quirks, both try to maintain the spirit of the saga, whether it’s a casual tone or a bloody and brutal one.
Arcane and The Last of Us: New Kids on the Block
We can’t stop talking about the latest adaptations that are breaking new ground. Arcane, based on the League of Legends universe, gives us incredible animation and an engaging story. There’s The Last of Us with Pedro Pascal and Bela Ramsay. Although it hasn’t been released yet, expectations are through the roof. The quality of the first games makes us say something big.