by Emma Smith
We have something for everyone, whether they are into playing games on a console, sites like bettingsites.net.nz, or on any other platforms. We have blockbuster action, comedies, horror with haunted towns or hungry werewolves, and even ancient fighting competitions.
#5 Sonic The Hedgehog
The early indications for the Sonic the Hedgehog film were not promising. Fans reacted negatively to the initial designs for the blue blur, prompting the filmmakers to return to the digital drawing board. When the film was finally released, Ben Schwartz’s enthusiastic voice-over work and Jim Carrey hamming it up as Dr. Robotnik won over audiences. The film follows Sonic and a Montana sheriff as they attempt to avoid Robotnik and find Sonic’s iconic rings. Sequel released this year, with more likely in the works.
#4 Resident Evil (2002)
Resident Evil has so many movies (six by our count) that it’s difficult to pick one to present as a sure thing for this list. They range from the stumbling Afterlife to this, the original and (probably) best. It’s streamlined and only scratches the surface of Resi‘s vast lore, and for good reason: the emphasis is on the action. That may irritate some, but a slow-burn experience through a mansion in 2002 simply wouldn’t have been as kinetic and overly entertaining as this first effort – and it still holds up well today.
Milla Jovovich is fantastic as Alice (and, to be honest, doesn’t get enough credit), and the set pieces are plentiful. It’s also noteworthy in that it appears to be setting up sequels and sprawling universes long before Iron Man learned about the Avengers initiative. It’s well worth watching again.
#3 Assassin’s Creed
Assassin’s Creed felt like the first time video game movies were thrust into the spotlight. Others were dismissed as oddities or only for a specific audience, but Assassin’s Creed [directed by Australia’s own Justin Kurzel] attempted to put all of that to rest with a compelling take on the eternal struggle between the Creed and the Templar Order.
Assassin’s Creed is a star-studded film starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and Michael K. Williams. They lend the film credibility, and it is accompanied by an impressive-looking Animus adventure in 15th-century Spain and a parkour-heavy style that pays homage to the series without going overboard on fan-service, as some films do. Some fans and moviegoers may have been disappointed, but give it another chance. It flies much higher than you might think.
#2 Tomb Raider (2018)
Following in the footsteps (and ice pick) of the 2013 rebooted game, Tomb Raider returned to the big screen with a newly vulnerable Lara and a film that, while not quite breaking out as an all-time great action film, is a welcome homage to one of the finer games of its generation.
Tomb Raider is undeniably a watershed moment for video game movies: no longer content to remain in the shadows. This is a forceful entry brimming with star talent that could pave the way for more video game treasures down the line, particularly in the forthcoming Ben Wheatley-directed sequel.
#1 Detective Pikachu
We knew Detective Pikachu would do justice to the Pokemon brand the moment we heard Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool himself – would be voicing the fuzzy little yellow guy. The plot revolves around Tim Goodman, a 21-year-old who only wants to find his missing private detective father Henry and teams up with Pikachu in the process. Lots of CGI, lots of sentimental family stuff, and – most importantly – enough puns to delight a Snorlax.
