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Top 5 Worst Video Game Movies Ever

Top 5 Worst Video Game Movies Ever

Now, I recognize that I am definitely not the majority here when I say that I kind of dig the monstrous, ugly, toothy Sonic that was originally designed for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie. I am also not in the majority with my unabashed appreciation for the iconic Super Mario Bros. movie of the 90s.

That said, I can still recognize that Sonic’s design is probably bad and that the Mario movie is not exactly an example of quality cinema. And I also agree that gamers haven’t exactly received a whole lot of great film adaptations of their favorite franchises. Some of hilariously cringy. Some are just bad. Some approach good, but those are less fun to talk about. So here’s a list of five of the worst video game movies in history.

DOA: Dead or Alive

DOA: Dead or Alive

With rare exception, fighting games aren’t known for their stories. Dead or Alive is, probably, more famous for its scantily clad roster, although I have to admit that the game is pretty sound mechanically. So why make a movie out of it? Well, sex sells, I’m told. Regardless, this movie was loathed by critics and general audiences alike. It doesn’t have some of the cheesy appeal of other fighting game-based movies and, despite its best efforts, even the choreography fails to appeal.

Street Fighter

Street Fighter

Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Guile, the film’s lead, and that’s already strange enough. Now, there’s no reason that the film should stay entirely true to its source material, but focusing on Guile seems like a mistake when Street Fighter is a franchise full of far more interesting characters.

The movie isn’t without merit, though, with compelling exchanges like Guile responding to Bison saying “You’ve made me a happy man,” with “Next, I’ll make you a dead one.” The actor who played Bison, Raul Julia, is probably the most redeeming facet of Street Fighter and was actually awarded a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Bloodrayne

Bloodrayne

You can’t have a bad video game movie list without a contribution from Uwe Boll, the king of bad video game movies. BloodRayne was not a “terrible” game, but it was a hokey one with a goofy plot. Which is fine! Except the casting was terrible, the script and premise was abominable, the flow is totally off, and it is just a waste of time. (Ben Kingsley deserved better!) Yet, it did somehow get two (direct-to-DVD) sequels, so I guess some people must have not only tolerated it, but liked it?

Max Payne

Max Payne

I truly believe Max Payne is a series that could, potentially, spawn a great movie. It has cool slow motion mechanics, a noire feel, and a badass protagonist. The movie, however, stars Mark Wahlberg, Ludacris, and Nelly Furtado, and it feels like a blatant cash-in. Considering that the games feel inspired by film, it’s truly astonishing that it couldn’t translate back to the silver screen.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

I don’t particularly love it but this might be the best film on this list. Critically, speaking, that seems to be the case. To my eye, that’s precisely what makes it the least fun to watch although Roger Ebert might disagree having said that the film “elevates goofiness to an art form.” I’m trying to think of exactly what goofiness he is referring to. All I can come up with is the fact that the titular Tomb Raider, played by Angelina Jolie, is seeking an ancient and powerful relic called “The Triangle,” which, as far as names go, is absolutely excellent.

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