Why are movies based on video games so bad?

Bryn · Post by **Bryn** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:19 pm

It seems to me that every single movie based on a video game that has ever come out has been really, really bad. Or at least really bad. According to IMDb user ratings, the "best" theatrical release film based on a video game is Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Seriously. I wrote a post on this subject last month after hearing an announcement about a Lost Planet movie being produced:
NO RELOADS: Lost Planet: Video Games to Movies

However, I haven't actually played many video games that have been made into movies, and I haven't even seen very many of the films based on video games, since the abysmal reviews usually drive me away, so I'm not that qualified to evaluate the reasons for video game movies being so bad. So what are your opinions? Why are movies based on video games so poorly received? Will we ever see a good movie based on a video game?

Red_X · Post by **Red_X** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:23 pm

I think its simply because

A)They are picking the wrong games to turn into movies and

B)A video games does have a story line but not enough of an endepth one to turn into an interesting movie.

Even if the game did have enough content America cares more about being entertained then actually having to think about what they are watching. the movie industry has to rewrite so much of the content the video game loses its original storyline.

I know im being harsh but who in there right mind would make a first person shooter into a movie? I dont know maybe im compleatly off base.

Any other ideas?

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:30 pm

Uwe Boll.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:13 pm

Don't forget the drive by movie companies to cash in on videogame successes. Seeing a number of videogames being turned into movies is a clear indication of this.

I ever watched some movies based on videogames before and the only one I find good is Tomb Raider. The rest are rubbish.

BlondGamer · Post by **BlondGamer** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:42 pm

I think its simply that you are not in control of the film a game you are. granted the adaptations have not been great. they need to take game adaptations to a darker grittier vision instead of being cheese ball with the majority of them.

Fiberfar · Post by **Fiberfar** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:59 am

I agree with Tricky: Uwe Boll.

Uvinity · Post by **Uvinity** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:42 am

I agree that movies based no video games are often bad. But what do you think about video games based on movies. They are often just as bad.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:50 am

Uvinity wrote:I agree that movies based no video games are often bad. But what do you think about video games based on movies. They are often just as bad.

True, but one thing both of them have in common is that they're cash-ins. As what I have mentioned previously, it's nothing more than taking advantage of successful properties. With that kind of mentality, it isn't surprising why they suck most of the time.

repapips · Post by **repapips** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:38 pm

Here's my opinion:

1. Games that is based on moview is worst!!! i mean the games that is based on movies like The Hulk, X-men, Spider Man most of them sucks!!!

2. Movies that is based on games is not that bad, only some of them. Its just a matter of choice what game will you turn into movie.. Like the resident evil movie, they come up with 3 movies and all of them are good...

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:40 pm

2. Movies that is based on games is not that bad, only some of them. Its just a matter of choice what game will you turn into movie.. Like the resident evil movie, they come up with 3 movies and all of them are good...

I disagree entirely. Resident Evil 1 was okay, 2 was good, 3 was awful. And furthermore I disagree that only some video game movies are bad, 90% of them are; but then again that's because 90% of them are made by that god awful man Uwe Boll.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:53 am

That's not a 'then again'. That's a 'sadly'.

Moonbiter · Post by **Moonbiter** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 6:40 am

There are movies that are so bad they're worth a look and has gotten cult status, and then there is Uwe Boll. But bashing him is sort of "last year" so let's move on. I think it is quite possible to make a decent movie out of a game, the problem is that the producers think the game-story IS the script, and that they don't have to actually DO anything. Another problem is the audience and ratings: For instance, if the production company had made the Silent Hill movie into the OTT screamer they wanted, they would have missed their target audience by a mile. So we're stuck with a piece of PG-13 rated fluff which wasn't bad, but not very good either. Doom could have been cool, but the same problem applies: Demons? Blood'n'guts? Gates to hell? Mommy Biblethump Applepie is not gonna let her little boy go and see it. Mutants and a virus?(snore) Everything's okay.