Uncharted

Ten Second Review: With admittedly low expectations going in to this video game aligned generic action film, I came away with a  definite smile.

I’ve seen this trailer a few times recently and I kept thinking it gave too much away. I thought it actually looked quite fun, but I felt I might have already seen all there was to see. With the history of video game films and the tell tale signs of a generic action film ahead, I braced for disappointment, but it never came.

Nathan Drake is a treasure hunter. Well not yet, but he will be. He knows his history and he has a pickpocket’s skill set but he doesn’t have any leads. Enter Scully, a treasure Hunter in need of a hand and his current quest happens to be Nathan’s most favourite legend…

While I do love video games, I have never played the Uncharted series. I love that sort of of Tomb Raider, Assasin’s Creed adventure with a bit of history type game so I’m sure if I’d picked it up I’d have loved it. What that does mean is I can’t speak for any tidbits or Easter eggs dotted through this film. I can definitely tell some of the moments where the filmmakers winked to camera, and I think I got some of them, but I’m sure that would bump it up to any fan. 

What I can say is that if this film was going for generic action film with a video game tie in, it succeeded. This is not meant to jab at the film. Taking a film concept from a game has time and time again yielded weak results but here it really worked. The dialogue was snappy, the action was bright with generally engaging choreography and the plot worked. It was everything you’d hope from an adventure film just not in itself adventurous as a film. In a sea of films vying for awards nods and prestige, this was actually enjoyable to watch.

I could have done with a switch out on Mark Wahlberg, but that is certainly personal preference and for what he does, he did it quite well here. I thought the cast put in a good show and the whole film was very enjoyable.

My biggest gripe, and this would be a genuine piece of advice, is don’t watch the trailer! I’ve linked it here rather than embedding it as usual as I really would ward against watching it. It gives away what would have been a really surprising and sensational final act that really didn’t need spoiling. 

It has to be said that if the biggest complaint for a film is the trailer, it’s definitely doing something right. It’s not original by any means, but it is enjoyable. Exciting set pieces, snappy dialogue and a simmering Tom Holland. If that sounds like your kind of thing, this is an easy ticket.