I boarded the Playstation train a bit later than most, granting me the luxury of experiencing all four Uncharted titles consecutively (with the spin-off game soon to follow). Naughty Dog has consistently delivered some of the most cinematic gaming experiences I’ve encountered, rivaled only by their own The Last of Us series – although Uncharted boasts a more consistently compelling narrative across its entries. Therefore, the announcement of an Uncharted film adaptation prompted the immediate question: why? The games are inherently cinematic and, in many respects, surpass numerous films. Despite this skepticism, curiosity piqued, and like many fans, I felt that Nathan Fillion (of Firefly, Castle, The Rookie, and The Suicide Squad fame) embodied the perfect Nathan Drake with his characteristic wit. A compelling fan film starring him already exists, and it’s remarkably well-executed.
I was surprised to learn that Sony had cast Tom Holland as Nathan Drake. While Holland is undeniably a talented actor, as evidenced by his performance in Spider-man: No Way Home, he doesn’t immediately strike one as the quintessential Nathan Drake.
Nathan Drake (portrayed by Tom Holland) is depicted as a small-time thief and pickpocket working as a bartender. One evening, he encounters the enigmatic con artist Victor Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg), who presents him with a proposition. Together, they embark on a mission to steal a cross, a key artifact in an elaborate treasure hunt. However, they are not the only ones seeking this prize, and their endeavor proves to be fraught with challenges.
Reportedly, Tom Holland secured the role of Nathan Drake by leveraging his current standing as a prominent actor. He initially pitched Sony the idea of portraying a young James Bond. While this proposal wasn’t adopted, producers suggested he take on the role of Nathan Drake in a film adaptation initially intended for Mark Wahlberg. The casting was swiftly finalized, with Holland playing a younger Drake and Wahlberg assuming the role of Sully. Thus, the project took shape.
Uncharted as a film would have been significantly more effective had it not been conceived as a somewhat underdeveloped origin story. The fundamental question arises: Is the intention to showcase a fully realized Nathan Drake only after Tom Holland has aged considerably? Or are the filmmakers contemplating recasting the role for subsequent installments, a likely scenario given the first film’s box office success? While Holland’s ability to portray someone capable of scaling walls (even without the aid of a radioactive spider) is arguably more credible than, say, Nathan Fillion (at present), stunt performers exist, and the more perilous sequences heavily feature a digitally enhanced Holland. Mark Wahlberg’s portrayal lacks the essence of Victor Sullivan, instead presenting his typical on-screen persona. The humor feels forced, and neither character benefits from meaningful development.
For instance, despite the film’s origin story premise, there is no explanation as to how Nathan Drake gains his proficiency with firearms. He simply dons his signature holster and dispatches adversaries with ease. Conversely, in another sequence, he apologizes for kicking someone in the face. The characters’ actions lack cohesion, driven solely by the dictates of the script.
Uncharted feels remarkably shallow. While it features some visually appealing sequences and a few successful comedic moments, these elements are overshadowed by the filmmakers’ aspiration to convince the audience that they are watching Uncharted – a franchise with a dedicated fanbase familiar with Nathan Drake’s adventures. Had I not played the games, my impression of the movie might have been slightly more favorable. However, even detached from the game series, the film remains emotionally detached and uninspired.
The film disregards the laws of physics, diminishing any sense of peril. The games excel at crafting impressive action sequences that convey a genuine sense of danger, leaving players breathless. This tension is absent in the movie, where viewers remain passive observers. Furthermore, the decision to depict a character’s throat being slit in a film rated PG-13 is perplexing. The lack of blood renders the scene unrealistic and somewhat absurd. Alternative methods of dispatching a character could have been employed without resorting to gratuitous depictions of violence.
The film’s strongest moment is a brief encounter on a beach, lasting only ten seconds. It elicited both a smile and a sense of disappointment, as it highlighted the potential the film possessed to be significantly better.
In conclusion, Uncharted receives a barely passing grade. This is regrettable, as the potential for a truly exceptional adaptation was present. Despite my reservations, the film has achieved considerable success, and a sequel is already under consideration. Its development remains to be seen.
