Could Mass Effect be the latest in a slew of video games honored with big-screen adaptations? Well, considering the generally poor critical reception of most games-turned-films, maybe disgraced with is the proper term. Either way, speculation suggests Universal Pictures may be preparing to launch a flick based on the popular science fiction role playing game.
The massive Mass Effect universe features an engaging storyline with character development, superb narrative, and stellar acting. BioWare’s franchise actually plays out like a film, lending the notion that Mass Effect could rank among the elite game-based movies that isn’t an utter nightmare. Yet despite the numerous accolades the sci-fi series has garnered, the third entry in the franchise was heavily criticized because of its finale. The closing moments were anticlimactic, inconsistent and bungled, leaving fans disgruntled. Surely any cinematic adaptation could at least achieve better reviews than the end of Mass Effect 3.
Talk of bringing Commander Shepard to theatres began in 2010, though four years later there haven’t been many developments. In 2012 reports indicated that a script was finished, though we’re now into 2014 and have zilch to prove that assertion. At the moment all that’s truly known is Universal and Legendary Pictures have partnered on a top-secret co-venture. Internet chatter reveals that the long-waited Mass Effect movie is a popular guess, but at the moment this could be Ernest Goes to Jail Part 2: On Parole for all we know.
Despite their notoriously bad reputation, video game adaptations at the box office aren’t necessarily the clusterfucks we universally brand them. Tomb Raider was admittedly well done, albeit cheesy. This inherent corniness however reminded us of the roots of the franchise, days spent exploring blocky atmospheres on tube TVs. Ahhh, 480i. The Resident Evil flicks, while featuring stories as awkward as navigating that damn mansion (really now, fixed camera angle? Really?), the stylization of the films more than compensates for a lacking plot. In spite of widespread criticism, Max Payne is actually enjoyable for fans of the game. Marky Mark portrays everyone’s hardboiled detective, the titular Max Payne, delightfully. Unfortunately, and unlike the original games, most of the humor is unintentional.
Could 2016 finally see the Mass Effect movie, or shall we place this idea on the same shelf as Half Life 3? Can’t wait to see Command Shepard on the big-screen, or anticipating a production as horrendous as the ending of Mass Effect 3? Leave a comment below!