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Critic Jason Evans is on a mission to tell you everything you need to know
about movies in less time than it takes to fall out of an airplane. His reviews
are exactly 100 words (not 99, not 101). This is his 100 word review of Uncharted.
The Premise – Based on the hugely successful video game
franchise, Uncharted is a film that has been in development for more than a
decade and undergone numerous recasting and reshoots. It is the story of Nathan
Drake (Tom Holland), a young man who makes a living tending bar and picking pockets.
Nathan dreams of the adventures his long-lost older brother promised they would
take some day. When treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Whalberg)
says he wants Nathan to join him on a quest for Magellan’s gold, Nathan is reluctant,
but joins up when he finds out that Sully is a friend of Nathan’s brother.
Pretty soon, Nathan and Sully are jetting all over the globe, trying to figure
out the hidden clues that will lead them to the treasure. Hot on their heels
are a crew of mercenaries led by the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who
will stop at nothing to claim a prize that he believes is his birthright.
The 100 Words – “Based on a video game” is the kiss of death
for a film. It usually means the action will be more important than the story
and that is the trap Uncharted falls into. The movie wants to be another National
Treasure, with tough to solve puzzles and baddies chasing the good guys from
scene to scene, but Uncharted lacks the charisma and cleverness that made
National Treasure work. Holland looks good running and jumping all over the
place like a parkour training video, but the rest of the cast is largely
sleepwalking. Good action + lazy plot =
bad movie.
Reach out to Jason Evans on Twitter @JasonDukeEvans
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