It must be admitted, the adaptations of video games in films or in series have not always lived up to the expectations of the fans. However, while the reviews are often harsh, it sometimes happens that certain films and series stand out. The editorial staff of HelloSolar.info therefore looked into the question, and decided to erect a top of the best adaptations of video games into Live Action films and series according to the reviews, for the most objective result possible.
Methodology
In order to achieve this ranking as objectively as possible, the writing of HelloSolar.info relied on the main aggregators of reviews (or reviews), and therefore of ratings, namely Allocine, Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes. The aim was to compare the works by means of an average score.
Top 10 Live Action Video Game Adaptations
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
In last place of this top, we find the film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Jerry Bruckheimer’s mega production (the producer behind Top Gun, The Beverly Hills Son, Bad Boys, Benjamin Gates and Pirates of the Caribbean to name a few) suffers from certain scriptwriting facilities. Nevertheless, this feature film brings together a 5-star cast, and appropriates relatively well the universe of the game created by Jordan Mechner, which we also find in the scenario. Good entertainment, no more and no less.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time | 37% | 50% | 52% |
Sonic the movie
We spend the second with Sonic the movie. Released in 2020, the latter had suffered the popular scolding even before its theatrical release. The fault then fell on the at least confusing design of the blue hedgehog preferred by gamers. The animation team has therefore reworked its look to match its video game appearance as closely as possible. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews, swinging between fun comedy and Super Mario Bros. worthy nanar. of 1993. However, the film remains on encouraging results … results good enough to encourage producers to launch a second film announced for 2022.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Sonic The Movie | 54% | 47% | 40% |
Rampage: Out of Control
The Rock as a primatologist seeking to save humanity threatened by genetic mutations as well as giant animals, such is the starting point of Rampage: Out of Control. At the time of its release, the film is riding the wave of blockbusters with supercharged creatures such as Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla and of course Pacific Rim directed by Guillermo del Toro. Rampage: Out of Control is the adaptation of a cult game released in 1986 in which you play as a gigantic creature who must destroy everything in its path. For information, this film project dates back to 2011.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Rampage: Out of Control | 51% | 45% | 46% |
Mortal Kombat (2021)
The Mortal Kombat video game series has seen several film adaptations over the decades, starting with the 1995 Paul WS Anderson film. When you know the Mortal Kombat universe, you say to yourself that these adaptations are rather logical as saga draws its inspiration from series B. In 2021, 23 years after the last film stamped MK, Mortal Kombat is back in the ring of the 7th Art. Based on an original scenario, the story is a pretext for the big fight and the appearance of many iconic characters from the franchise. If the film holds up, it still lacks a little punch and bloody fatalities that make the charm of the video game series. Nevertheless, Mortal Kombat (2021) received encouraging reviews, and good box office results. A sequel could be started.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Mortal Kombat (2021) | 54% | 44% | 48% |
tomb Raider
We continue with a new cinematographic reboot: that of tomb Raider released in 2018. Exit Angelina Jolie, and place Alicia Vikander to play a very young Lara Croft in this Origin Story which is greatly inspired by the latest titles developed by Crystal Dynamics studios. Lara Croft is not yet the “Tomb Raider” we know. Here she is in search of her missing father whose traces are lost on a mysterious island off the coast of Japan. Blood, tears, survival but too little adventure with a capital A. The success of the film was to lead to a sequel which has for the moment been postponed without further details due to the current health crisis.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| tomb Raider | 52% | 48% | 52% |
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Long before the 2021 reboot came out in 1995 Mortal Kombat directed by Paul WS Anderson. The director signs here one of his first adaptations of video game works. He then sets his sights on the video game, and oversees the Resident Evil saga as well as the Marsian and supercharged Doom attempt. Mortal Kombat from 1995 is simply cult. The laughter of the god of thunder Raiden interpreted by our national Christophe Lambert and the kitsch atmosphere at will remain essential even today for all fans who grew up in the 90s. A cult B series as we like knowing how to animate the evenings cine -retrogaming between friends like no one else.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Mortal Kombat (1995) | 45% | 60% |
The witcher
We switch to serial format with The witcher, released on Netflix in 2019. It should still be noted that this adaptation is not strictly speaking that of video games. Before becoming the video game saga that revealed CD Projekt RED, The Witcher is a saga of novels written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Additionally, the series is an adaptation of the books, not the games. That being said, The Witcher “by Netflix” was a risky bet as the license is now a monument of video games. Finally, the first season was a real success, prompting the SVOD platform to capitalize on the license and produce several programs, from animated films to children’s series, including the Live Action prequel. Note that season 2 of The Witcher arrives on December 17, 2021 on Netflix.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| The witcher | 68% | 53% | 62% |
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
When we think of Pokémon, we often have in mind the adventures of Ash and Pikachu. One of the most lucrative licenses of all time has logically interested the Hollywood studios which embarked on the production of an adventure for the less original inspired by Detective Pikachu and soberly named Pokemon Detective Pikachu. Worn by Justice Smith and Ryan Reynolds, this feature film was a great surprise upon its release, and even found its audience among the youngest as well as fans of the franchise. A very nice film which is logically one of the best Live Action adaptations ever made.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Pokémon Detective Pikachu | 68% | 53% | 62% |
Defiance
We come back to the series with Defiance, a particular cross-media project since it was based on the simultaneous development of a series and a video game. The result of a collaboration between Trio Worlds studios and the Syfy channel, Defiance depicts the struggle between humanity and an alien race, the Votans, who aspire to settle on Earth when their solar system is no more. a distant memory. The Defiance video game is for its part a mix between TPS and MMO, the release of which in April 2013 has remained virtually confidential. However, the series was appreciated by critics and the general public to the point of lasting no less than 3 seasons.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Defiance | 77% | 61% |
Werewolves
We conclude this top with Werewolves (Werewolves within in original version). A film adaptation of the eponymous game developed by Ubisoft, itself adapted from the board game Loups-Garous de Thiercelieux, Werewolves Within is a B series which made its small impact in the spheres of insiders upon its release, at least across the Atlantic. . If the film had only one VOD release in France, it still posted a score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes for a total of 138 reviews. A great performance for a film adapted from a French video game.
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Allocin | |
| Werewolves | 86% | 66% |
And the best Live Action video game adaptation is?
The best Live Action video game adaptation is, against all odds, Werewolves within, which performed very well, if not excellent results on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. The numbers don’t lie. The film Werewolves directed by Josh Ruben (Scare Me, Greener Grass, Plan B) is a good surprise which handles with a certain talent the codes of horror and comedy to offer viewers a cinematic experience sprinkled with humor squeaky, but still quick to thrill you.
Films and / or series at the gates of the TOP 10
At the gates of this top 10 is Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccon City. The very latest RE-stamped cinematic iteration has received honest reviews, failing to fully convince fans and professionals alike. If this project, based on the first two video games in the Capcom saga, manages to find its audience, there is no doubt that a sequel, or even several, will quickly be put into production. Without being the preferred license of moviegoers, Resident Evil is definitely that of Hollywood studios.
We find once again Paul WS Anderson with Monster hunter. This adaptation did not at all convince the spectators on French territory, even if the reception across the Atlantic was much warmer with scores that we can qualify as suitable. The film however makes the surprising choice to transform a hunt for fanciful monsters into a kind of Isekai Tensei (a literary genre born in Japan) in which soldiers from our country come face to face with a bestiary drawn from the games. .
The great forgotten of the critics
For the release of Halo 4, Microsoft has put the small dishes in the big ones, and launched the production of the series Forward Unto Dawn. A kind of prequel bringing a new point of view, as can be the animated series Halo: The Fall of Reach, Forward Unto Dawn enjoys a solid storyline and production despite a limited budget. It’s also the first real live-action appearance of John-117 (aka the Master Chief). Halo fans have probably seen her before. If you are curious, we invite you to do the same.
We are now leaving the space in the direction of the court. Ace attorney is being adapted in 2021 by Takashi Miike, the legendary Japanese director behind Audition, Ichi The Killer and the Dead or Alive trilogy. A true UFO among filmmakers, Takashi Miike is probably one of the most prolific, with nearly 60 films to his name. Ace Attorney is worth a look, if only to see the world of the famous lawyer being transposed on the small and big screen by a renowned Japanese filmmaker with an identifiable style.
