Quick Jump Daily Digest

Thank you for your interest in the Quick Jump Daily Digest. Get notified of all new content on QJ in our free Daily Digest. To subscribe, enter your email address below and click the subscribe button.

Cancel and Return to page

Five movies based on video games to consider watching (even if they sucked)

Posted Nov 25, 2007 at 8:40PM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii Tags: Andy Serkis, Hollywood, Rapture

0
In general - sad as it may be - most movies based on video games don't live up to their counterparts. But why do we watch these movies anyway, even if we know they'd never live up to the game? Only one answer comes to mind: because we love the game.

Thus the idea for this QuickList came about: what are the movies that we'd watch simply for love of the game? Which action and shooter games that got our adrenaline rushing, strategy games that got our brain cells tingling, or RPGs that plucked our heartstrings to a point that we'd waste our money on a movie based on it... even if it sucked?

The criteria for the list is simple: it shouldn't have a corresponding movie (or have one in the works). Another is that the sucess of the hypothetical movies would be largely dependent on the success of the game, whether it be from sales or the establishment of a loyal fanbase.

That said, here are the five movies based on video games you might consider watching, simply for love of the game.

Bioshock - This would make a great thriller / suspense film. There are some writers and directors that could give this film justice, maybe even make it as successful and critically acclaimed as the game itself - but that would take a dream team of producers, not to mention a capable leading man.

Visual effects aside, probably the most difficult thing to translate into film would be the tense and dramatic world and environment of Rapture. However, with such a great storyline, Hollywood can't go wrong with Bioshock. It'll sell; but just how successful it will be would be up to the producing team.

Heavenly Sword - Image 1

Heavenly Sword - Girl. Sword. Lots of blood. While these themes are very reminiscent of Kill Bill, Heavenly Sword operates on a much more grand scale. A movie of Heavenly Sword would probably be best along the visual styles of 300 - remember those Legend of the Sword short films?

While translating this video game into a movie would be easy (considering the game is already cinematic) there's still a chance the movie could be mucked up if they don't get a decent actress to play Nariko. (And Andy Serkis could remain playing the king.)

Bully - Rockstar's game, which shared its fair share of controversy, recently won best scriptwriting for a video game in the BAFTA awards and that in itself is enough to know that a movie based on it would sell and would be well received.

However, rewards aside, Bully is one of those games that would probably be translated smoothly into a movie. It will make a good coming of age film, and unlike most video game movies, wouldn't even need a big budget to produce; just a talented cast of young actors.

The theme of Bully deviates from the normal criteria for a video game movie because it isn't action or eye-candy intensive. In effect, the success of the video game may not help promote the movie but it would still be an interesting adaptation.

Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa - The pick for the new generation of science fiction movies. The world of Tabula Rasa blends fantasy and science fiction elements smoothly within its intergalactically epic storyline.

Tabula Rasa's Sarah Morrison is an interesting figure for a movie and besides, there's not a lot of strong female characters in sci-fi epics (barring Ellen Ripley from Alien). Hers is a story of a girl who lost her family to the Bane. She later moved on to become a commanding officer in the rebel human forces.

Suikoden 2 - The epic choice. While Suikoden has all the elements a good epic film would have - war, blood, love, betrayal - it's possibly the most difficult of the games to translate into a movie. For one thing, translating any of the games calls for a huge cast: 108 actors. And that's just the good guys.

Suikoden 2's story is what would draw us to a film adaptation of the game. It appeals to a younger audience and yet has an old school sense of honor and family, following a young man who unwillingly raises an army to fight a corrupt nation.

These five video game candidates may not be able to translate well on the silver screen, but they were brilliant enough on our platforms to consider watching. Which games would you want to see up on the big screen?

This story sucks? This story rocks!

Vote Now!

(0)

(0)

Ridley scott comes to mind for tabula. even bioshock Wheldon could do it but then he likes to work in an area that has not been confined and dictated as a game scenario.

For the rest leave it to the Asian cinema, swords and mythological battles abound in both the Chinese and Korean film industry and many of these films make hollywood look cheap. (and yes there is also a lot of cr*p films)

the real problem lays in finding the right people to work together. John Woo is really the man for shooters but then a Ridley is needed for the detail and scenery, throw in a john Carpenter for sound and supense, (I still think his film "the thing" was a masterpeice. Very old now and most gamers will never have heard of it but its almost the recipe for the Doom style games.

All in all one of the best crews around right now in my opinion are the crew from the "underworld films"

Whatever, potential is there but apart from the filming of Doom which was okay the bloodrayne's are a pathetic joke. Games can make great film but I worry that the game developers/owners demand such high royalties that they eat most of the budget before the project gets off the ground. Let them put their money where their mouths are! They tell us of their next best great game, so let them take a risk and have a studio do the film and share the profit rather than sell the rights for a price that is hamstringing the industry.

# hell yeah — roca 2007-11-26 05:16

***** beowulf

# Damn that — Manny151 2007-11-26 07:21

If you're going to make God of War, it needs to be done in the same scale as lord of The Rings, and with the budget to match. It has to be grand in order for it to work. But yeah definitely....God of War would be the one to watch. I can't believe they didn't include it in this list. It should've topped off the list. Hell they could even make it a Trilogy like they did with Lord of The Ring. But they should end the first one not with him ascending to the throne, but with the start of the turmoil between him and the other Gods of Mount Olympus. You know just to make people want to watch the following movie.

# MGS — Turismo20 2007-11-26 10:24

Metal Gear Solid should be done with Charlie Sheen becuase he looks like Snake and sounds like him to check out these pics http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.theatricalcombat.com/Image%2520Files/gallery/hotshotspart2/_HotShotsPart2_03a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theatricalcombat.com/moviepages/hotshots.html&h=200&w=300&sz=27&hl=en&start=14&um=1&tbnid=d0hAA_y3-l0woM:&tbnh=77&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHot%2Bshots%2Bpart%2BDeux%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

# MGS — Turismo20 2007-11-26 10:26

Sorry this one http://www.theatricalcombat.com/moviepages/hotshots.html

# Idk if its just me... — Eclipze_ 2007-11-26 11:09

But QJ has been having some weird news lately... Guess there trying to reach a bigger audience but its kinda boring to me lol.

ANYWAYS... Yea I think that mgs would make for a really good movie. They just need some high-class effects and they'll be set.

# MGS, hitman... oh! yeah, they'll already have a movie! :D — platon 2007-11-26 14:21

Then "Prince of persia" (wich will have it's movie :D)

"Assassin's creed" (would looks great! :D)

Any "Final fantasy" BUT FFX-2 (lol, I don't want any barbie movie : yes, I got a new dress! :D, lol)

Star Ocean 2 (story was cool, even if in a movie, it would probably suck)

Devil May cry movie would be HOT!

Resident evil would be great for movies, (not the "from where did they popped that?" movies they made... (the 1st was still cool))

And I'd really want Shadow Hearts 1-2 in one 3hours movie!

The story is SO GREAT (or in two movies)

Refresh comments list

Add comment

JComments

HOT GAMING NEWS | LATEST GAMING SEARCHES | FORUMS

QUICK JUMP DAILY DIGEST

Welcome to QJ.Net!

If you want your comments to go live without waiting for moderation, you need to be logged in. Being logged in has its benefits:

Logged in members do not wait for their comments to be approved.
Logged in members can create Profiles to be seen by other users.

So why wait? Create an account or login now! It's easy, quick, and free.

To get started, use the LOGIN boxes, or the REGISTER link below!

Want to learn more about the team who brings you the QJ news?

Read about them now!

HOT FLASH GAMES

QJ.NET Categories
• Apple • E3 • Featured Articles • Gadgets • Games for Windows • iPad • iPhone • MMORPG • Mobile • News • Nintendo 3DS • Nintendo DS • Opinions & Analysis	• Photography • PlayStation 3 • PoV • PS Vita • PSP • Rumors • Science • Site News • Tabula Rasa • Wii • Wii U • World of Warcraft • Xbox 360

Sitemap

Newest Downloads

05/22/2012 - 05/31/2012

XeBuild GUI 2.061	05/30/2012
edicpopDS v0.3.01	05/29/2012
RGLoader 0v290 Beta	05/27/2012
WiiMod 3.2	05/27/2012
WiiMC v1.2.7	05/25/2012
True Blue Firmeware v2.7	05/24/2012
3DS Video Converter v2.3	05/24/2012
Mobile Assault 1.8.2	05/24/2012
PSP Tools Alpha 0.1	05/22/2012
Newton War	05/22/2012
DaedalusX64 r766	05/22/2012
PSPMarble	05/22/2012
The Undead 4 - Nazi Zombies	05/21/2012
3DSExplorer v1.2.1	05/21/2012
J-Runner v0.2 Beta 275	05/19/2012

Most Comments this Month
Sound Off: On Game Expirat..	(58)
Say Goodbye to the Xbox 36..	(31)
EA Blames iOS Rock Band Ex..	(28)
Flash0 Contents Of Vita's..	(27)
Sony Had a Rough Year; Vit..	(26)
PlayStation 3: Now Featuri..	(23)
Sound Off: Toughest Game C..	(20)
Apparently You Can Pre-Ord..	(19)
Love It or Hate It, It's A..	(16)
PoV: This Collectors Editi..	(15)
You've Been Up in Arms Abo..	(15)
Pre-Order Generic Shooter..	(15)
Metal Gear Solid For Vita..	(14)
PoV: Paid MMOs are Dead	(14)
PoV: You Are Wrong about C..	(14)
Get Off Xbox Live, You Ped..	(14)
This is Next Gen?	(14)
Stop Your Whining, Start C..	(13)
PSP Is Back, Whiter, Cheap..	(13)
Pokemon Liquid Crystal! K..	(12)
Wii Will Be U	(12)
OK, So Maybe Microsoft Can..	(12)
Does Microsoft Ever Have a..	(12)
Operation Raccoon City Pro..	(12)
Diablo III Getting Mauled..	(12)

Top Jumps this Month
Naruto Shippuden: Ul..	(172)
Pokemon Liquid Cryst..	(105)
neur0n Knocks Out An..	(103)
Bust Out Your PSP Fo..	(91)
PSP homebrew - LameC..	(72)
Wii homebrew - WAD M..	(54)
PSP Comics Reader v2..	(53)
PSP Homebrew: 6.xx P..	(44)
Hellcat Working On R..	(41)
PSP Homebrew - PSPDi..	(41)
PSP homebrew - DSonP..	(38)
neur0n Gives You Mor..	(37)
Sound Off: On Game E..	(36)
PSP GBA v1.2: Gamebo..	(33)
Latest Left 4 Dead 2..	(31)
Another CFW Goodie F..	(30)
Soywiz Releases PSP..	(30)
Sound Off: Should Ap..	(29)
GTA IV patch 1.0.6.0..	(29)
Download full Sid Me..	(28)
Homebrew - PSP/PS3 P..	(26)
PSP homebrew - Mario..	(23)
DS homebrew game - S..	(21)
Brian Lara Internati..	(21)
Metal Gear Solid For..	(21)

HOT GAMING NEWS TOPICS

Quick Jump Daily Digest

Five movies based on video games to consider watching (even if they sucked)

Related Stories:

Comments

Add comment

Newest Downloads