Hey Hollywood, Get Your Own Ideas
See Full ImageFor an industry that routinely looks down at its aging, repetitive, predictable nose at video games, movies sure are stealing a lot from interactive entertainment these days.
It used to be that movies based on games were almost automatic box office and critical failures. But things have been changing rapidly; as games have approached the realm of film in terms of realism, storytelling, and overall quality (note I said "approached"), we're starting to see more evidence of the following: Hollywood is out of ideas.
What movies aren't based on something else these days? What inspiration isn't taken from a book, a true historical event, or a game? Original scripts are few and far between and when they do exist, they're often downright embarrassing. Hollywood has blamed video games for stealing away movie-viewers, but instead of complaining, how's about coming up with something fresh? Now you're doing Assassin's Creed? Will there be a big game name that won't be a movie at some point now?
Perhaps it's too simplified to say that games are on the way up while movies are on the way down. But at least in terms of progression, innovation, and creativity, I just can't see it any other way. And rather than trying to compete, Hollywood is just taking existing ideas, and from the "geeks" that have no place amongst the glitterati. Hey, here's the deal: if you want to keep taking our ideas and making money because the talent in your industry is diminishing, then you better start helping guys like David Jaffe and Hideo Kojima become gods like Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise.
Yeah, that's right. You benefit and get to walk down the red carpet, but you keep the nerds who created the idea behind closed doors, right? Not much longer, Has-Been-Wood. Not much longer. The sun is setting on your glorified reign, and you know it.
Tags: assassins creed, assassins creed movie, assassins creed film, game movies
10/23/2011 8:31:20 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (28 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 10:09:16 PM
2 up, 0 down
Pandacastro
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 4:05:26 AM
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Lawless SXE
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 5:09:32 AM
3 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 8:15:52 AM
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Looking Glass
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 8:55:08 AM
Actually, Avatar was more like Dances with Wolves, in which a battered warrior integrates himself into a culture that he was originally supposed to be fighting against. Essentially both Avatar and Dances with Wolves share the theme of self discovery in the context of imperialism. This is not exactly the case in Pocahontas. Pocahontas was more about the rocky relationship between two different cultures and the role that two people played in helping to improve that relationship. We don't really see that in Avatar.
2 up, 1 down
Karosso
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 8:56:25 AM
2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 2:10:10 PM
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xnonsuchx
Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 9:55:21 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 10:07:48 PM
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http://www.velocitygamer.com/pt/Jimmy-Fallon-Mainstream-Video-Game-Crusader/blog.htm
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 10/23/2011 10:07:58 PM
1 up, 0 down
Warrior Poet
Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 10:08:05 PM
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Or maybe they can and just don't. That's probably more likely. Loud, fast, and stupid sells really well.
4 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 10:10:16 PM
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shadowpal2
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 11:00:28 AM
Currently on the rise is Korea...I mean for the last decade, they certainly pumped out some awesome movies. And of course...there are animated films as well which are still again CONSIDERED as a film/movie. Pixar is doing wonderfully (though Cars 2 didn't really have the magic of a regular Pixar film...but that's "Cars" for you). Then you have Japanese animators pumping OUT WONDERFUL visions one after the other. And also...there are some Japanese films out there are that are just a fantastic watch...most recent being: Confessions - Tetsuya Nakashima. WOW is that film good, based on a novel - but still good.
Hollywood is currently a bit too happy with their technology and how they can make special effects on anything. They should learn from masters like Kubrick that technology alone can't help make a movie, but technology and VISION can make a wonderful experience.
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Qubex
Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 11:26:44 PM
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There are a few bright spots, real stories with real meaning behind them and believable characters... otherwise it is same old same old...
It says everything when the gaming industry makes more money than Hollywood... that is all the proof I need. People are having more fun playing games than watching movies... unless they are simply shifting their dollars to where it really makes a difference in their lives, gives them a better overall experience and better perceived value for money!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
1 up, 1 down
LegendaryWolfeh
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 12:13:59 AM
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0 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 3:40:49 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 10/24/2011 3:42:17 AM
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shadowpal2
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 11:17:40 AM
One game that made me automatically realize that is Hitman absolution. My god did you see the gameplay/cinematic on that?!
So what Agent47 is suddenly BATMAN now?! Being able to hang on everything, go from cover to cover by crouching and rolling around constantly like a MORON?! Do your regular TPS over the shoulder shooting?! Stealth kills by your normal choking and suffocating?! RANDOM gadgets that let you see through walls. And replacing the MAIN voice actor with some random American dude trying to sound like your everyday "badass". And then suddenly INCEPTION music instead of Opera?!
How is this game different from anything else? I feel like Hitman's lost so much of it's originality and is now just your generic BIG BUDGET 3rd person Action/Adventure game.
Then there's the 1st person shooters which I don't want to talk about.
But don't think that the gaming industry (specifically western) is pumping out unbelievably unique ideas themselves. Catherine (Atlus Japan) is where it's at.
0 up, 1 down
Lairfan
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 @ 8:15:48 PM
But hey, you're a fanboy, so I guess I can't get through to you. Oh well.
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Lawless SXE
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 3:13:50 AM
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In all seriousness, I do agree with the sentiment of the article. I'm not denying that there are some fantastic films out there, most of which are rewarded when Oscar season rolls around. Even so, these are often properties based off existing media/history.
I'll just open up Metacritic for a moment to see what movies in theatres are currently rating the highest, just to have a little look-see. And I'll be damned if half of them of those at the top aren't original productions. Was not expecting that. I'll just shut up and walk away now.
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Beamboom
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 4:02:44 AM
I bet he can spell "Hideo Kojima" in his sleep though. :)
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Beamboom
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 3:38:22 AM
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Last edited by Beamboom on 10/24/2011 3:41:37 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 9:51:09 AM
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Beamboom
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 1:38:46 PM
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Ultimadream
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 8:28:23 AM
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I am studying film production at University and I am interested in making an adaptation of a game. I don't know how many of you have heard of Shadow of Memories (Shadow of Destiny) as I am struggling to find people who have played it. But I feel it is a story which would benefit being on the big screen rather than being a game as the gameplay mechanics seemed to just get in the way of the story. I am currently devising a script for it before I contact the director of the game and Konami.
I think the problem with adapting a game over a book into a film is that with a game the imagery is concrete, while with a book the reader forms the imagery within their mind. So it the details which people liked in the game are not in the film, they get angry. Like how the Resident Evil movies do not follow the settings of the games at all.
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Snaaaake
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 10:07:54 AM
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Only video game movie I'm interested now is Devil May Cry and I'm hoping for an inFAMOUS movie with Jason Statham as Cole.
1 up, 1 down
SirLoin of Beef
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 10:29:57 AM
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3 up, 1 down
hadouken
Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 4:37:49 PM
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So I understand why Hollywood does it but on the other hand if you're not going to make it into a decent movie than don't bother making it.
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Lairfan
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 @ 8:21:04 PM
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I'm not saying I don't agree with it to a point. Yeah, Hollywood makes too many remakes and adaptations nowadays. But you can't say that their industry is dead and gone just because video games are being adapted now. It just means filmmakers have finally realized that video games have stories that could easily work in their medium.
Someday, I'll bet you games may start to do the same thing. There'll be adaptations of movies, maybe even adaptations of novels (which have already started appearing). And adaptations of comics have been kickstarted after Rocksteady's awesome Batman games.
So really, I kinda see this article as just venting frustration over there not being an excellent video game movie in existence. And really, that's not enough to say the whole film industry is starved of creativity, tbh with you.
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Dancemachine55
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Sunday, October 23, 2011 @ 9:55:09 PM
Inception was praised for being the last movie to that. Made for cinemas, and no 3D gimmickry. Just a great story with awesome visual effects.
I wanna see more movies like Inception, or the Matrix, hell, I even thought Watchmen was awesome at the cinemas, even if not many people liked it or that its based on a graphic novel.
... Oh!! And District 9. Another incredible movie!!
Will be interesting to see if this new video game to film adaptation will suck or be passable. I am yet to see a single video game adapted to film that is better than the video game.
Passable: Resident Evil, Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider
Everything else... horibble!!!
I agree with you Ben. It's about time Hollywood got some talent of their own and make something new. The last biggest films that made tons of money were Avatar, Harry Potter, Twilight, The King's Speech (great film, highly recommended!) and the Hangover. Oh, and Transformers, and Batman Dark Knight.
Of all those films I listed, only ONE wasn't based on a book, comic, graphic novel, TV show, toy or an historical event. Avatar.