For the last 10 years, it’s seemed like Uncharted was a doomed film. The adaptation of the titular video game seemed a no-brainer, given how cinematic the source material is. The film ought to have been an easier translation than other video game movies to the screen. Yet somehow, it had endless troubles getting there. After changing directors and actors several times, finally, the film is here with Venom and Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer at the helm and Tom Holland taking up the mantle of Nathan Drake.
Uncharted provides an origin story for Drake. The orphan-turned-explorer is defined by loss, seeking out his long-lost brother and the legendary treasure they coveted as children. Despite being a film about solving mysteries, its conventional approach makes it easy to get behind. You don’t have to work too hard to get into what makes Nathan Drake tick.
That gives the film free rein for some pretty stunning action. The game is known for its enormous set pieces, which are lovingly recreated in the film which opens with its hero dangling from a shipping container that is itself dangling from a cargo plane. Nathan Drake gets himself into one dangerous situation after the next, travelling the world with his duplicitous mentor Sully, played by Mark Wahlberg.
The two imbue the film with charisma and make for a fun pairing, one that’s emboldened by a strong supporting cast. In particular, Tati Gabrielle and Sophia Taylor Ali. Wasted is Antonio Banderas as the film’s villain, whose character feels like a placeholder that never got replaced.
With blockbusters getting longer and longer, Uncharted’s two-hour runtime feels refreshingly brisk. The movie doesn’t take long to get going, and the adventure at hand is consistently intriguing. Despite its smooth pacing and reduced script, the movie still has moments that feel pointless. Thankfully, the sense of spectacle carries through all the way to the end, and Uncharted has the privilege of being one of the few adaptations of a video game that’s worth watching.
Rating: Half-Price
Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.
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