I've never played Naughty Dogs Uncharted PlayStation games, but the good news is that they're so fun, engaging, complex, action-packed, blessed with a compelling protagonist, and extremely cinematic. Unfortunately none of the former can be applied on property grounds to Ruben Fleischer's formulaic and inept film.
The film begins with an over-the-top action sequence (which apparently comes from sports) and then goes back to fifteen years ago where young Nathan Drake and his older brother Sam are orphaned in a Catholic institution. Sam is obsessed with treasure hunts and breaks into museums trying to piece together the legend of Magellan's gold, which as the story would be the real reason he navigated the world, the mighty dynastic home of the Moncadas. money was to be collected.
Sam is eventually caught breaking a bar too many times and chooses to disappear into the night instead of being sent to juvenile custody, leaving Nathan with his precious Riddle Ring and promising that they will reunite.
Head back to the present day and Nathan (Tom Holland) is a street young man who works as a bartender at a joint serving cocktails and petty thefts alike. Here he is approached by veteran treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to get in on the big score and adventure. Sully's reasoning for recruiting Nathan doesn't really make sense at the time, but as the film progresses, we learn that Sully had previously teamed up with Sam, who promised her that Nathan Every way was fascinated by Magellan's mysterious 18 and his lost treasure. He is.
This is followed by the hunting of magffins which gives very mixed results. Nathan is so far from the cunning operator that Sully needs to be an equal partner and her lack of experience drives them to scrap more than necessary. Supposedly we are seeing the birth of treasure hunter Nathan Drake as he is much younger than the character in the game. Trying to get on the ground floor with an original story might seem like a clever studio ploy when they have their eye on the prize for a set of sequels, but it turns out to be more troubling than successful. Nathan is clearly smart enough to solve complex puzzles, but he seems to have a problem capable of judging the most basic of human relationships. He's terrifyingly naive, but also an embarrassingly underrated action hero. Holland put in a lot of muscle for the role and can sometimes hold himself in fight scenes, but it often appears that he succeeds when he gets there rather than skillfully (and indeed, as a bartender). Which action skill should one have anyway?).
The story introduces us to other people searching for Magellan's gold. A note and the utterly nefarious Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) whose family historically paid for Magellan's expedition and money in his mind is his birthright. With the help of the deadly and more nefarious Braddock (Tati Gabrielle), Moncada pits his wealth and resources against two treasure seekers. A third element is added with the introduction of Chloe Fraser (Sofia Ali), who has worked with Sully at some point and is not obsessed with her. Fraser is thought to be an Aussie which will confuse local audiences as his accent gets slurred everywhere – a tiny bugbear but one that is really confusing.
As might be expected from action heavy adventure films, there are some impressive set pieces, but they are often overshadowed by their quirky nature and at times shoddy CGI. A long middle task set in Barcelona knocks the energy down. When Drake and Co. finally reach the area where Magellan's legendary ship rests spectators, some are ready for big action. What they get is great action, but it's also complete bullshit.
There is certainly a willing suspension of disbelief that we all go through with movies of this nature. What the paper can't do is the lack of chemistry between absolutely everyone. Wahlberg's Sully isn't a flashy badass, she's a venal blight that evokes a kind of conscience. It's also hard to stomach how every wonderful thing has a dollar attached to it. We need him to have more discretion if we are to barrack for Nathan Drake. The film references Indiana Jones, so it's only fair that we make comparisons. Jones doesn't hunt for priceless antiquities so he can get rich. Their goal is to save history. Drake & Co. is all about financial gain. I don't know if this is inherent in the games, but it does make it a little harder for the good guys to barrack when their goal is essentially the same as the bad guy.
Holland does his best to bring his childish charm to the role and is often the only saving grace on screen. His character may not be believable in any way but at least he is trying his best to sell it. Wahlberg's Sully is so charming it's cringe-inducing.
There may be some rejoicing for fans of the unknown game, but it is also possible that they will be disappointed the most. As I can only judge the film on the basis of its own questionable qualities as a piece of cinema, my strong suggestion is to spend your time watching a good adventure movie or just play the game instead. At least you're in the driver's seat with the latter and not going along for an idle and unmotivated ride.
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sofia Alik
Writers: Rafe Judkins, Art Markham, Matt Holloway (screen story by Rafe Judkins, John Hanley Rosenberg, Mark D. Walker)