Ratchet & Clank: Recently re-imagined for your PlayStation 4, now appearing on the big screen for the first time. The movie invites viewers back to see the origin team-up of the duo (one a robot, the other a bobcat-ish thing, probably a descendant of prolific serial killer Bubsy), which inspires this week’s 24 Frames gallery: a history of video games-based movies by Tomatometer!
Critics Consensus: “Despite flashy sets and special effects, Super Mario Bros. is too light on story and substance to be anything more than a novelty.”
Double Dragon (1994)
Tomatometer: 8%
Critics Consensus: “Double Dragon‘s clever use of special effects cannot mask the film’s overly simplistic storyline and cheesy dialogue.”
Street Fighter (1994)
Tomatometer: 12%
Critics Consensus: “Though it offers mild entertainment through campy one-liners and the overacting of the late Raul Julia, Street Fighter‘s nonstop action sequences are not enough to make up for a predictable, uneven storyline.”
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
Tomatometer: 6%
Critics Consensus: “The combination of a shallow plot and miscast performers renders Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li a perfectly forgettable video game adaptation.”
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Tomatometer: 33%
Critics Consensus: “Despite an effective otherwordly atmosphere and appropriately cheesy visuals, Mortal Kombat suffers from its poorly constructed plot, laughable dialogue, and subpar acting.”
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)
Tomatometer: 3%
Critics Consensus: “With its shallow characters, low budget special effects, and mindless fight scenes, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation offers minimal plot development and manages to underachieve the low bar set by its predecessor.”
Wing Commander (1999)
Tomatometer: 10%
Critics Consensus: “The low budget may explain Wing Commander‘s cheesy special effects, but can’t excuse the lame dialogue or the movie’s obsessive reliance on sci-fi cliches.”
Pokemon: The First Movie (1999)
Tomatometer: 14%
Critics Consensus: “Audiences other than children will find very little to entertain them.”
Pokemon: The Movie 2000 (2000)
Tomatometer: 15%
Critics Consensus: “Despite being somewhat more exciting than the previous film, this kiddy flick still lacks any real adventure or excitement. What is does contain is choppy animation and poor voice acting. Doesn’t match up to virtually anything out there.”
Pokemon 3: The Movie
Tomatometer: 22%
Critics Consensus: “The third Pokemon movie has a better plot than its two predecessors, though this is not enough to recommend it to those not already fans of the franchise.”
Pokemon Heroes (2003)
Tomatometer: 16%
Critics Consensus: “This series isn’t getting any better.”
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Tomatometer: 19%
Critics Consensus: “Angelina Jolie is perfect for the role of Lara Croft, but even she can’t save the movie from a senseless plot and action sequences with no emotional impact.”
Critics Consensus: “The movie raises the bar for computer animated movies, but the story is dull and emotionally removed.”
Resident Evil (2002)
Tomatometer: 33%
Critics Consensus: “Like other video game adapations, Resident Evil is loud, violent, formulaic, and cheesy.”
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Tomatometer: 21%
Critics Consensus: “Apocalypse has lots of action, but not much in terms of plot or creativity.”
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Tomatometer: 22%
Critics Consensus: “Extinction is more of the same; its few impressive action sequences unable to compensate for the pedestrian plot.”
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Tomatometer: 23%
Critics Consensus: “As dim-witted and lifeless as its undead antagonists, Afterlife is a wholly unnecessary addition to the franchise.”
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Tomatometer: 30%
Critics Consensus: “Another predictable entry in the franchise that seems to get more cynical and lazy with each film.”
House of the Dead (2003)
Tomatometer: 4%
Critics Consensus: “A grungy, disjointed, mostly brainless mess of a film, House of the Dead is nonetheless loaded with unintentional laughs.”
Alone in the Dark (2005)
Tomatometer: 1%
Critics Consensus: “Inept on almost every level, Alone in the Dark may not work as a thriller, but it’s good for some head-slapping, incredulous laughter.”
Doom (2005)
Tomatometer: 19%
Critics Consensus: “Sure to please fans of the video game, but lacking in plot and originality to please other moviegoers.”
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2006)
Tomatometer: 33%
BloodRayne (2006)
Tomatometer: 4%
Critics Consensus: “BloodRayne is an absurd sword-and-sorcery vid-game adaptation from schlock-maestro Uwe Boll, featuring a distinguished (and slumming) cast.”
Silent Hill (2006)
Tomatometer: 29%
Critics Consensus: “Silent Hill is visually impressive, but as with many video game adaptations, it’s plagued by inane dialogue, a muddled plot, and an overlong runtime.”
Silent Hill: Revelation (2012)
Tomatometer: 5%
Critics Consensus: “Mediocre effort even by the standards of video game adaptations, Revelation features weak characters and an incomprehensible plot with a shortage of scares.”
DOA: Dead or Alive (2007)
Tomatometer: 34%
Critics Consensus: “With a ridiculous plot and comical acting, checking one’s brain at the door is required.”
Postal (2007)
Tomatometer: 8%
Critics Consensus: “An attempt at political satire that lacks any wit or relevance, Postal is nonetheless one of Uwe Boll’s more successful films — for what it’s worth.”
Hitman (2007)
Tomatometer: 14%
Critics Consensus: “Hitman features the unfortunate combination of excessive violence, incoherent plot, and inane dialogue.”
Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)
Tomatometer: 8%
Critics Consensus: “Hitman: Agent 47 fails to clear the low bar set by its predecessor, forsaking thrilling action in favor of a sleekly hollow mélange of dull violence and product placement.”
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2006)
Tomatometer: 4%
Critics Consensus: “Featuring mostly wooden performances, laughable dialogue, and shoddy production values, In the Name of the King fulfills all expectations of an Uwe Boll film.”
Max Payne (2008)
Tomatometer: 16%
Critics Consensus: “While it boasts some stylish action, Max Payne suffers severely from an illogical plot and overdirection.”
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
Tomatometer: 36%
Critics Consensus: “It doesn’t offer much in the way of substance, but Prince of Persia is a suitably entertaining swashbuckler — and a substantial improvement over most video game adaptations.”
Need For Speed (2014)
Tomatometer: 23%
Critics Consensus: “With stock characters and a preposterous plot, this noisily diverting video game adaptation fulfills a Need for Speed and little else.”
