|
The most successful computer games have always
been, and probably will continue to be, those with
heavy plots and interwoven "cinematics."
Cinematics are, in effect, short digital movies. In the
early years the plots and cinematics had the same
characteristics and quality of anime. You know -
kiss the girl and one of you is going to die
plots. But over the years Computer gaming has
reached such a level of plot and cinematics that
even Hollywood had to take notice.
Of course, Hollywood entered the foray timidly
with movies like "Super Mario Brothers" - that
despite it's all star cast and my favorite movie
line of all time: "trust the fungus", was really
only a B movie. Then there was Mortal Kombat -
which translated very well to the big screen and
enjoyed a box office success - but still,
Hollywood was timidly testing the waters. Until
Tomb Raider.
At one time on the internet, Pamela Anderson was
not the #1 downloaded babe - it wasn't long ago
that the #1 pinup on the internet was, in fact,
digital herself.
Laura Croft; brought to life on the big screen -
portrayed by Angeline Jolie was a massive box
office success (even if the story was crap, it's
not like Tomb Raider has much of a story arc) and
Hollywood grew bolder.
Final Fantasy, a popular series of anime related
computer/video games that still enjoys success
today after a dozen sequels to the original, hit
the big screen. "The Spirits Within" was a box
office success, filled with talented voices and
state of the art CGI. It was a much bolder foray into
the genre that opened up new avenues for Computer
Gaming on the big screen.
This month we have the new release of a video game
favorite: Resident Evil, starring Milla Jovovick
(of Fifth Element fame) as Alice. In post
production as I type are Alien vs. Predator and
Return to Castle Wolfenstein (set in WWII). The
forays into Gaming venues are getting bolder and
recruiting better writers, actors and generating interest
from producers.
Movies have always made it into the gaming venue.
From Harry Potter to Evil Dead - there's always
room for another crossover game release with any
new blockbuster. It's a natural progression (of
Hollywood logic) that the reverse is also true.
If Final Fantasy can live through a dozen sequels,
why not cash in on that?
Some people will tell you that Hollywood is
running out of original ideas, but the gaming
world is not. Year after year, the gaming world
out does itself with games, graphics and ideas.
It's too bad that Hollywood hasn't done the same.
But until they do, let them borrow from gamers.
After all, imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery.
|