UNCHARTED

2 out of 5 stars

Launching as a prequel to the wildly popular video game series, this clearly wants to be in the same action adventure vein as Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, and National Treasure; though, without incitement or a true personality – it doesn’t even come close. Not even Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland, as Nathan Drake can dampen the dim-wittedness involved, but at least he’s trying. The same can’t be said for his buddy Mark Wahlberg. He put a lot more effort in playing the titled character in Max Payne than he does here as Victor Sullivan, aka Sully. Director Ruben Fleischer could’ve put a cardboard cutout of Wahlberg in each scene and they would be just as exhilarating. Perhaps it can be done in the sequel that will surely be coming our way whether we like it or not.

The special effects are shoddy at times, but the last 30 minutes or so of the action is quite solid and looks pretty cool in IMAX, I’ll give Fleischer that. However, the fact still remains that with a subpar script, its sad attempt at humor, Holland and Wahlberg’s impuissant bromance, and a run-of-the-mill approach – who knew treasure hunting could be this miserable. Video game adaptations are a tricky thing and something that Hollywood rarely seems to get right. Uncharted continues that trend of not getting it right, adding more to the already long line of fans wishing their favorite games would be left alone.

Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

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