Uncharted

 

UNCHARTED

Other than Uncharted being based on a video game which I never heard of before let alone played, I’m reviewing this purely as a film. Starring Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, and Antonio Banderas, I went into this one blind and with few preconceptions or expectations.  Trailers made me think Indiana Jones/ National Treasure action/adventure type popcorn flick (sans the popcorn for yours truly, thanks). Having enjoyed the likes of those and many others of their ilk, I figured, what do I have to lose?

Not much as it turns out.  Yea! Great news.

It also turns out there isn’t much to gain either.  Boo! Not so great news.

Uncharted does indeed fit the bill in terms of action/adventure popcorn flick, all be it a rather predictable one.  Easily within the first twenty to thirty minutes I had the entire film complete with all it crosses, double crosses, twists and turns figured out to a T.  Honestly, nothing unusual for me so not totally unexpected.  My film viewing gift and curse.  Still, for any causal viewer let alone someone with knowledge of the source material, highly predictable.  Making the adventure more Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride than Indiana Jones.

The same can be said with pretty much all aspects of Uncharted.  It’s familiar and enjoyable, but not exactly thrilling.  The stunts are flashy to over-the-top, but nothing mind blowing.  Think Fast and Furious-esque,  lite.  Fun, but somehow “meh” at the same time in this kind of film.  

The pacing, even within the action sequences feels the same way. Both okay yet lacking and a bit off.  Something that’s even more apparent between action scenes. Clocking in just under 2 hours, Uncharted feels like you’re moving through various temporal anomalies, time speeds up and slows down randomly so you’re never really in a “groove” watching this one.

The biggest issue, however, is the cast. Specifically, the lack of chemistry between them. 

Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg are wonderful actors, have enjoyed their films for years.  The chemistry between the two of them doesn’t fully click.  Again, I classify it as there, but lacking.  It’s not awful, but it’s not great either.  It’s just okay.  Truthfully, that sums up the entire casts' interaction.  It’s okay, but nothing special and few sparks.  Even Antonio Banderas can’t liven things up much.  Tati Gabrielle is a surprising bit of fun to watch, and I hope to see more of her in the future, but again there’s something missing. Everything just lays there,

I haven’t quite put my finger on what’s missing to jazz things up, but as we used to say when I was growing up, “It needs more oregano”!

As I left the theater, one of the crew asked me how I liked the film.  I tell you what I told him.  It’s okay.  Not great, but Lord knows I’ve seen worse.  There’s enough there to interest me in seeing where they go with the franchise, but I won’t be making it a priority.  

Uncharted is okay.  

A serviceable film, but it won’t be smashing any box office records or garnering many repeat trips to the theater.  If you opt to check it out on the big screen, I say catch a matinee or go on a discount day and save some money. Also, wait for the end credit scene before you bolt. 

Otherwise, just wait and stream this bad boy from the comfort of your own home. 

Uncharted gets a 5 from me.