Jul 25, 2008
Movies Based on Video Games Will Replace Comic Book Heroes
by windshell
 The recent smashing success of Christopher Nolan’s movie “The Dark Knight” is cream on the top of the recent popular trend of making movies based on popular comics. However, every peak is the sign of regression too. Who will replace the comic heroes?
Crisis in the Hollywood screenwriting is not new phenomenon. In their lack of ideas, writers often snatched at old movies making pale remakes, favorite books filming not so good adaptations, war videos from LiveLeak making disgusting gore horrors.
And after all, they looked at good old comic books, dusting their covers off and making more or less successful titles.
Long time ago, when someone mentioned movie based on a comic book, that could mean only one thing – Superman. He was the only portrayed hero for a long time. Batman was reserved for TV shows and Adam West in tights. Spiderman was taboo, because nobody wanted to mess him up until CGI is perfected (Sam Raimi did that however, despite the fact that CGI now allows many things), Conan was never considered as a comic book hero, etc.
Then Tim Burton came. His gothic vision of Gotham and Batman opened a new era of comic book movies. Unfortunately, he lost his vision in the sequel, still dark and bizarre, but maybe too much (remember Danny de Penguin). His vision was totally spoiled by pretentious Joel Schumacher, just like James Cameron did with the Ridley Scott's masterpiece “Alien” more than decade ago.
“Batman Forever with Robin” closed the door of opportunity for enthusiastic filmmakers, whose inspiration wasn’t Adam West or acrobatic orphan Dick Grayson, yet dark and disturbing Batman seen through the eyes of same visionaries like Frank Miller or Alan Moore.
Thankfully, interest has risen. We got X-Men, Fantastic Four, even Superman returned and finally we got the real Batman made by Nolan in 2005. That movie was a catalyst for an avalanche that smashed Box Office several times in years that came. Spiderman was finally filmed, however not so well. Some less popular heroes got their movies.
This year was absolutely dedicated to the Comic Book Movies, from not so popular “Hancock”, devoted fans’ dream “Hellboy”, indie “Iron Man” to the real ‘man’ who is darker than ever.
It’s obvious that movies based on comic books reached their climax. What will follow no one can tell for sure. But what is sure is that trend as a phenomenon has its peak and downfall. Maybe we still didn’t reach the peak with “The Dark Knight”. Maybe it will induce many other good titles. But unfortunately, there is still a bunch of comic heroes that will never feel experience of the big screen
The fact that many unknown comic book heroes are becoming a movie heroes, can tell us the one thing – the trend is weakening.
What will replace Comic book heroes then?
The answer probably lies in still unexploited area of video games.
However, doors of that area are still locked because of cineastes like Uwe Boll who spoiled whatever he tried to turn into a movie. But, speaking honestly, Uwe Boll’s choice of video games was disputable as same as their conversion into big screen features.
Some movies couldn’t be converted simple because they don’t have any intelligent plot behind them. “Zombie Massacre”, “House of the Dead”, “Bloodrayne” are simply adventures and shooters that haven’t much brain. What had potential are “Alone in the Dark” and “Dungeon Siege”. Not to mention “Postal” that was very popular game turned into crapfest with distasteful trailers that even include mockery of sad events of 9/11.
And yes finally, we all cry for “Far Cry”. Too bad he got it. This game also had a lot of potential.
 Question is, why famous directors stay away from video games? Because of people like Uwe Boll or because they still drain other sources mentioned above?
Maybe this genre of movies based on video games also needs a visionary like Christopher Nolan or some other famous (or not so famous but good) director.
One good movie based on video game would induce a long expected avalanche.
Just imagine how many great titles are out there, ready to be converted into movies: World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls, Call of Duty, Half Life (unfortunately I’ve heard that Uwe got rights), etc. We already had “Doom” and “Hitman”, but they were decent movies and nothing more.
Maybe the milestone will be “Halo” produced by Peter Jackson announced for 2009. or “Max Payne” with Mark Wahlberg announced for October this year.
Maybe Peter Jackson should direct "Halo" as well and open the door for future titles. He has credibility. He has reputation that others would follow.
Recipe is really simple. What is needed is breathtaking title from the world of video games, Age of Conan or WoW for example. Then, a good writer is needed, who will adapt it into a movie and finally a director, who will be faithful to the adaptation.
Goal is to have a movie that will be box office killer to ensure future for the upcoming titles of the same genre, but in the same time that movie shouldn’t disappoint fans and gamers.
That’s a hard task and the possible reason why good and established directors still won’t mess with their reputation by joining the adventure of making the movie based on a video game.
But, there is a hope. It lies in boredom of recent blockbusters, in digging of unknown comic book heroes and turning them into silverscreen saviors.
Writers obviously lack ideas and soon the filmmakers will reach for the new source.
Hopefully, that would be video games.
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE RATING
[ 3 voters ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
