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Uncharted it is an action and adventure film released in 2022, directed by Ruben Fleischer (Venom, Zombieland), based on the popular video game franchise of the same name developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, the film serves as a sort of éstory of origin for the treasure hunter Nathan Drake, combining elements of several titles in the saga and offering a completely new adventure in cinema. This is a clear commitment by Sony to establish a film franchise based on its most successful licenses in the gamer world.
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With international action, lost historical artifacts, and betrayals at every turn, Uncharted it draws on the influences of classics like Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider and National Treasure, but with a modern, young and frenetic aesthetic.
Synopsis
Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is a young orphan who works as a waiter and occasionally engages in petty robberies in New York. Years ago, his older brother, Sam, disappeared after a failed treasure-hunting adventure, leaving Nate with memories and clues about the possible location of the mythical loot Ferdinand Magellan, lost 500 years ago.
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One day, Nate is contacted by Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg), a veteran treasure hunter who knew his brother and now seeks to complete the mission they both began. Although initially distrustful of Sully, Nate agrees to join him in a race against time to find the treasure before it falls into the hands of the ruthless Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), a millionaire who believes he has the right to Magellan's inheritance.
Along with Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali), a skilled thief with ambiguous motives, the group travels through Barcelona, hidden caves and secret ruins, solving historical puzzles, escaping deadly traps and facing multiple betrayals.
The search leads them to also face Braddock (Tati Gabrielle), a relentless mercenary, and culminates in a spectacular aerial and naval sequence in which the line between story and fantasy blurs.
Cast
- Tom Holland like Nathan Drake: Charismatic, intelligent and agile young man. Although he is not yet the experienced treasure hunter of the video game, his evolution aims to become the hero that fans know.
- Mark Wahlberg like Victor SESSully to Sullivan: Nate's mentor. Cunning, sarcastic and unreliable, but with a more human side that gradually reveals itself.
- Sophia Ali like Chloe Frazer: Nate and Sully's colleague and rival, introduced as a possible romantic interest and with her own agenda.
- Antonio Banderas like Santiago Moncada: Main antagonist, heir to a powerful family that financed Magellan's travels.
- Tati Gabrielle like Braddock: Former military agent and current mercenary who leads the armed force of Moncada.
- Tiernan Jones and Rudy Pankow like young Nate and Sam Drake, in flashback scenes.
Criticisms
The critical reception of Uncharted it was mixed, with opinions divided between those who saw it as an entertaining adventure and those who considered it a superficial adaptation of the video game.
Positive points:
- Light entertainment and constant pace: The film manages to keep the viewer hooked with chases, riddles and constant action.
- Chemistry between Holland and Wahlberg: Although with a more comical than deep approach, its dynamics work on screen.
- Global production: Scenarios like Barcelona, mysterious caves and flying ships offer a sense of adventurous scale in the classic style.
- Tom Holland he demonstrates his versatility as an action actor, beyond the role of Spider-Man.
Negative points:
- Moving away from the original tone of the video game: Several fans complained that Nathan Drake in the film does not have the same sarcastic and mature personality as the game.
- Weak villains: The character of Banderas is wasted, and the motivations of the antagonists are poorly developed.
- Predictable script: Many twists are seen coming from afar, and the dialogues tend towards the formula.
- Excessive use of CGI: Although spectacular, some sequences lack realism and physical weight.
Public reception
Despite mixed reviews, audiences were much more favorable, especially among casual viewers or those who were not as familiar with video games.
In Rotten Tomatoes, the film received around 40% by critics, but more of the 80% public approval, demonstrating its value as entertainment.
In IMDb, maintains a rating of 6.3/10, while in Metacriticiguer score arson was higher than iguerscore arson.
At the box office, Uncharted it was a moderate success, with a global collection of more than 400 million dollars, becoming one of the highest-grossing video game-based films to date.
Technical and visual aspects
- Action direction: Ruben Fleischer gives the film an agile and very commercial pace. The action is more like a roller coaster of effects than a classic adventure with realistic tension.
- Scenography and setting: Places like the Barcelona catacombs or the hidden caves have good production design, although they lack mystique compared to classics of the genre.
- CGI and special effects: Sequences such as the plane in free fall or the ships suspended in the air were visually impressive, although with little credible physics.
- Soundtrack: By Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones, Iron Man), offers energetic but not particularly memorable accompaniment. Video game fans missed the iconic theme song, which barely appears briefly.
- Photography: Visually clean and colorful, very aligned with contemporary youth adventure productions.
Conclusion
Uncharted (2022) is a film that delivers what it promises: a light adventure, full of action, humor and treasure hunting, designed primarily to entertain a young, general audience. It does not seek to reinvent the genre, nor delve too deeply into its characters, but it does seek to offer a fun cinematic experience.
For video game fans, it can be a disappointing adaptation in terms of tone and characterization. However, as an introduction to the world of Nathan Drake for a new audience, it has potential. Tom Holland demonstrates charisma and physical dedication, and although he is not yet the Drake of the video game, the ending leaves the door open to future, more faithful installments.
In short, Uncharted it's like a roller coaster: noisy, exaggerated, but also exciting. It is not a masterpiece, but it is a good start to a modern adventure saga that could evolve and improve with future installments.
