Our arcade is like most you'll find in drive-ins and theaters across the country. Lots of retro, beat up copies of Dig Dug and Galaga, but it has a few gems that most don't. Its believed that one of the worst movie genres out there is the video game genre. Time and time again, Hollywood has tried to capture lightning in a bottle with movies like Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009) and BloodRayne (2006). Some of the best games in the business are torn to ridiculous pieces on the big screen
But there are exceptions to the rule; like Resident Evil (2002) that incorporated its plot twist story telling & its use of obscure camera angles that are incorporated in the games. And even though it fails to be a compelling piece of cinematic history, I stand firm in my belief that Mortal Kombat (1995) was one of the best modern day chop-socky flix reminiscent of the same movies coming out of the Chinese Cinema in the '70s & early '80s.
But with Hollywood taking another swing at gamers with upcoming releases of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, BioShock, & Metal Gear Solid next year, I thought it be fun to look at our stock of games in the Starlight Arcade and decide which ones should we let Hollywood have a crack at next.
First up, Megaman! I think that twenty years ago this movie couldn't have been made, but today's emerging tech in films like Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) & I, Robot (2004) it could be done masterfully. And this year's Astro Boy (2009) might open up the robot genre to audiences again. Cast some one young and cute, but a virtual unknown, as Megaman, and you'll avoid any expectations and be able to sit back and enjoy the show. As for Dr. Albert W. Wily, he awlays reminded me of Christopher Lloyd in the Back to the Future trilogy. With his ultra expressive face, and his ability to play maniacal bad guys, Megaman would steal our hearts, but Dr. Wily would steal the show.
Another Capcom game that begs to be released in theaters, if not in again the gaming world, Little Nemo. This little fella has already been made into two movies, once in a 1911 ten minute short, and again 1984 with Harvey Keitel. But neither were true to the comic strip beginnings that made this lil' guy so popular. If retold like a modern day Alice in Wonderland, with Terry Gilliam influences and Johnny Depp playing dual roles in the film as Nemo's stern father and Flip, Nemo's dream guide, it would be a certain hit as a family feature for the holidays.
Another video game legend that might be destined for the the silver screen treatment; Link! (From the Legend of Zelda series). With the lasting popularity of the Lord of the Rings movies, and the current lack of fantasy on the market, Link, Zelda and Ganon could be primed for a big Tinsletown splash. Throw in few big name stars with theater experience for the leads and partner up with the WETA Workshop for the effects and you got yourself a smash film for all ages. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKGehSw5ht8&feature=related The April Fool's trailer is actually a step in the right direction. But the biggest obstacle that this movie would endure would be the fans themselves. The history is to great and too deep, even confusing at times, to be able to please everyone. So maybe a trilogy would be a way to alleviate it. Taking part in a different area of Hyrule every time and featuring a different "hero" in each film; as in the Hero of Man, of Time and & of Fate and each one be about a separate piece of the tri-force.
With each epic film, we'd draw closer and closer to finding out the origins of our favorite characters and Gandorf's transformation. Open the three films with Link's (and the audiences) introduction to the races, magic and main players in the story. We'd close the 2nd act on a down note, with Link losing the princess and being sent to the Golden Realm that Ganon has twisted in his own image. Finishing it all up with the rejoining of the tri-force and Link saving Hyrule once and for all.
Time will tell if Hollywood gets around to these great games, but hopefully they'll perfect their ability to adapt them before handling such lovable characters. With producers and directors like Jerry Bruckheimer and Peter Jackson showing interest in doing video game movies we may see a change in the way we see our favorite digital creations.
Back to the Flix! Roll it!
Check out my weekly movie review on my Journal or at the Screen Gems group every Monday! Be sure to be back next Monday as I review more of Marvel’s movies with Sequel Syndrome (Part 2). All leading up to the X-Men Origins: Wolverine review.
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