Spoiler alert
This is a review of sorts or a discussion about a movie and as one, contains spoilers. You have been warned.
Info box
IMDB: Uncharted (2022) Starring: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle, Antonio Banderas
I really like Uncharted games. Nathan Drake is part of a group of great adventure archeologists with Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. On the New Year’s Day 2025, my streaming service recommended me to watch the Uncharted movie which I had forgotten even exists.
It was a very weird experience. The movie is an amalgamation of different games in the series. It’s been a while since I’ve played the games so I didn’t quite remember everything that was going to happen but with every new scene, I was reminded and thought “oh, that’s what it was”. While I was watching it, I thought it would follow the third game but after finishing, I did a bit of digging and it’s a weird retelling of different bits.
That’s not a great movie viewing experience. It’s difficult to stay focused and immersed in the movie when everything is familiar enough but not quite enough to remember what’s happening next. It’s like listening to a lecture where once the lecturer starts talking about a new topic, you suddenly remember what they’ll be speaking for the next 5-10 minutes.
The movie itself is probably quite good. I think Uncharted had good stories and in a game like Uncharted, I don’t feel like anything that was skipped from the game would have been that important to make it feel similar to when a movie skips something from a favourite book.
Despite the movie having a stellar cast of actors, the casting is in my opinion its weakest point. I adore Tom Holland as an actor but he’s bit too funny and carefree and whimsical to play Drake. On the other hand, Mark Wahlberg is too young and “clean-shaved” to play the old Sully. Of the others, I think Antonio Banderas works well as the main villain Santiago Moncada and Tati Gabrielle performs a good role as Jo. Although, some of her best parts from the game were cut. Sophia Ali is a good Chloe but I need to admit I have very few memories of Chloe’s role from the game.
It’s a good action/adventure movie. I think the games have stronger stories but this one doesn’t disappoint either. I think it would be even better if you haven’t played the games and aren’t constantly confused.
What I would love to see though is a movie where Tom Holland plays the bartender he played in the beginning of this movie. He was born to play that role.