Friday, 18 January 2008
With the latest and biggest disappointment so far of the synergy between the gaming and film industry presenting itself in the pre-pubescent mess that is Hitman, one must ask the question: Is the film of the game such a good thing?
With the gaming industry progressing out of childhood and into a more mature, and culturally accepted medium of entertainment, surely the like of Uwe Bull et al are doing more harm than good. Gaming and gamers are now, thanks to the corporisation of all things geek (Ugly Betty demonstrating this in the TV medium astutely), seen not just as the sweaty, lazy, drugged up creatures of the night that they once were. Gone is the day of spotty male encrusted in front of his computer or "baby", pizza in one hand, redbull in the other and donning an XL T-Shirt with "There's no place like 127.0.0.1" on it. Now gamers are almost actual "people".
Of course the influx of the all powerful Hollywood dollar into the industry is good for the coffers but if Hitman is anything to go by, it's not good for anything else. Hitman Blood Money was without doubt the sleeper hit of 2007, a beautiful culmination of the previous games rolled into one witty, shocking, brutal and polished title. The film didn't even do shocking! How can a film about a genetically engineered mercenary, who will kill ANYONE for the right price, not even manage that? Seriously, the Hitman games have always not just done that but also made you aware of the fact. In addition the marks you are commissioned to take out often weren't just the black and white evil, generic, terrorist bastards you find in most other games/films. Sure they often have a HUMAN flaw, but who doesn't? You are fighting fire with fire. Because how else could you garrote the innocent daughter of a crooked businessman just to complete your mission?
The saddest thing is that unlike previous titles this one really had the potential to do well. Uwe Bull wasn't directing for a start! Of course the biggest problem the film really had was that it was neutered from the start; how can you make a film about a Hitman who kills people through: lethal injection, garrote, knife, electrocution ect with a 15 certificate? Aliens Vs. Predator anyone?
Still looking forward to the Grim Fandango movie?
Still looking forward to the Halo movie?
Still looking forward to the World of Warcraft movie?
Bad films such as Hitman will only cause the perception of the industry and we the gamers to revert right back to where it started, in the gutter.
After all, there is no place like 127.0.0.1.