Films About Video Games

Can two different entertainment mediums possibly merge to create something novel and worthwhile? That is the question millions of people pour over as they watch video game franchises, stories, and characters they love and respect choke on the silver screen. Since the first generation of video game films hit theaters several decades ago, flop after commercial, franchise ruining flop have left film critics and game fans unfulfilled.

Video games have progressed in terms of story, art, and character, and many present themselves as entertainment blockbusters. Why, then, hasn't a single company or project made a serious advancement for bringing games to life as movies in a positive light? And, more importantly, how does the future look for these cross-platform movies? To understand the problem, and why game films still collect moans and negativity even before their release dates, an honest retrospective is key.

In the Beginning
Let's time warp to the late eighties and early nineties. Arcades are still doing well. Home game consoles are placing flaccid steps on the road to what they have become today. And the biggest gaming icon was Super Mario. The industry is showing nothing but promise, a fiscal promise that Hollywood sets its sights on. In 1993, Super Mario Bros. releases. Fans are excited to see their favorite plumbers on the big screen, and audiences don't know what to expect. It is the first film foray with a game as inspiration: hopes are high and optimistic.

What fans find is a universe bastardized in comparison to the one they love. The bright game worlds they played through are replaced by a gritty, joke-filled, charred landscape. Not only that, but the story is a far cry from the "save the princess" fare the games offered. Despite its large budget and decent performances, audiences are unimpressed with Super Maro Bros.