Uncharted – a major let down

Based on Naughty Dog’s Uncharted (2007-2017), one of the best-selling video games franchises ever made, the film version of the game started production in 2008, with various delays and recasts throughout the years. The film officially released Feb. 18, 2022 under Sony Pictures, and was the first piece of media created by PlayStation Productions.

In a prologue set 15 years before the main plot of Uncharted, orphaned brothers Nathan (Tom Holland) and Sam Drake (Rudy Pankow) break into a museum, attempting to steal the original map of the Magellan’s trip around the globe. They are caught by security and taken back to the orphanage, where Sam is kicked out, promising to come back for Nathan.

The movie jumps back to present time, with Nathan working as a bartender in NYC, and only hearing from Sam through postcards. While working at the bar, he operates as a small-time pickpocket, stealing from upper class patrons.

Eventually, Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg), a treasure hunter and dishonorably discharged Navy Seal, approaches him, interested in stealing a golden cross related to Magellan’s voyage. They successfully steal the artifact, but not without finding themselves as targets of Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), a descendant of the family that funded Magellan’s voyage, and Jo Braddock (Tati Gabrielle), leader of mercenaries hired by Moncada.

After stealing the cross, Nathan and Sully travel to Barcelona to meet with Sully’s ally, Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali), who possesses the other cross. They agree to work together, in a race against Moncada and Braddock, to find the missing treasure hidden by Magellan’s crew.

Uncharted, based off of a five game long series, ended up being a major let down.

The casting of the two main characters, Nathan and Sully, were subpar at best. While the two actors are great in their own right, they were not fit for the roles that they played in the movie. The characterization of, and relationship between Nathan and Sully was completely unrelated and different from the portrayal in the video games that the movie is meant to be based on.

However, the viewer remains entertained throughout most of the movie. The action, though unbelievable, was very reminiscent of gameplay. The gravity defying jumps and unrealistic fights would remind any game player of what it was like to be Nathan Drake, legendary treasure hunter. The double crosses that occurred throughout the movie, although slightly predictable, were also very much like those in the games.

The plot of the movie was slightly choppy. Very little information was given beyond certain plot points that concerned Nathan and Sully, and even then, it was mainly surface level. Hopefully, a greater background is given to main characters besides Nathan and Sully in future films.

Uncharted, in the long run, ends up being a massive let down. The casting of the main characters was not well thought out, and the plot and storyline was not as expanded upon as hoped.

Uncharted is said to be the beginning of a franchise, and a sequel is rumored to be in development.

To read another movie review, go to Movie Review: Dune Part One.

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