Yahoo Movies The Best And Worst Video Games Characters That Made It To The Big-Screen
With the recent home release of video games movie ‘Dead Rising: Watchtower’, Rob Riggle joins the many actors to have played live-action versions of iconic gaming characters.
From ‘Dead Rising’s’ Frank West to ‘Tomb Raider’s’ Lara Croft and the moustachio plumber in ‘Super Mario Bros.’,they’ve all had a shot at Hollywood fame. But which ones scored the extra life and who got the dreaded Game Over screen?
Get your control pads ready, as we look back at the best and worst video games character adapted for the movies.
Lara Croft - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
In The Game: The sexiest relic hunter in the history of archaeology (sorry, Indy, but she is).
On The Big Screen: Angelina Jolie was the only choice to play lads’ favourite Lara. Shame the film was a tomb-raiding turkey.
Dastan - The Prince of Persia (2010)
In The Game: Old school gaming hero whose mission was to overcome the devious wizard and save the princess. Naturally.
On The Big Screen: Jake Gyllenhaal offset the movie’s inevitable criticism by getting super buff and growing sexy hair. The result is epic swords and sandals fun.
Rayne - Bloodrayne (2005)
In The Game: Half-human, half-vampire femme fatale who hunts blood-suckers to avenge her dead family.
On The Big Screen: Kristanna Loken looked the part, but the film was so awful that watching it was like being staked in the heart (and eyes and ears, for that matter).
Agent 47 - Hitman (2007)
In The Game: The product of an advanced cloning experiment to create the perfect assassin. He lives up to the reputation.
On The Big Screen: Timothy Olyphant is perfect as the cold and calculated killer. The film’s not half bad as well, providing you like massive guns.
Guile - Street Fighter (1994)
In The Game: Double-hard US soldier famous for his flat-top hairdo and “sonic boom” special move.
On The Big Screen: Played (badly) by Jean-Claude Van Damme in the terrible movie version, which sonic boomed the Muscles of Brussels’ chance at making it onto the A-list.
Christie - DOA: Dead or Alive (2006)
In The Game: Don’t be fooled by her looks – she’s the resident cold-blooded assassin in the ‘Dead or Alive’ fighting game series.
On The Big Screen: A thinly veiled excuse to see bikini-clad girls fight. Neighbours’ Holly Valance obliged. No complaints here.
Max Payne - Max Payne (2008)
In The Game: Hard-boiled cop who turns vigilante after he’s framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Isn’t it always the way?
On The Big Screen: Mark Wahlberg’s permanent look of confusion couldn’t quite do the character justice. Guilty as charged.
Raiden - Mortal Kombat (1995)
In The Game: “Eternal God of Thunder” who enjoys getting stuck into ultra-violent fighting tournaments.
On The Big Screen: Former Highlander Christopher Lambert swapped his kilt for a lampshade-style hat to camp it up in the movie.
Mario - Super Mario Bros. (1993)
In The Game: Italian plumber who goes up and down pipes, fights monsters, and saves the princess.
On The Big Screen: The first video game adaptation is a contender for worst movie ever made. Poor Bob Hoskins should have twigged when he saw the hat-moustache combo.
Frank West - Dead Rising: Watchtower (2014)
In The Game: Tenacious photojournalist who’s also well handy when it comes to smashing his way through hordes of zombies.
On The Big Screen: Comedic actor Rob Riggle is perfectly cast as Frank, who cameos to offer expert advice following another zombie outbreak.
‘Dead Rising: Watchtower’ is on DVD and Blu-ray right now.
Picture credits: Paramount Pictures, Disney, Boll KG Production, Twentieth Century Fox, Capcom Entertainment, Constantin Film Produktion, Abandon Entertainment, New Line Cinema, Allied Filmmakers, Legendary Digital Media
