Doom

Bartkowiak’s (Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds) Doom is the hugely anticipated screen-translation of the massively popular computer game. The plot revolves around a series of scientific experiments in a research facility on Mars in the year 2145 which go horribly wrong, resulting in hell being unleashed (although not literally like in the game). An elite group of marines are called in to discover what has happened and neutralise any threats. These include Sarge (The Rock) a bossy, angry, bloody-for-revenge leader and Reaper (an excellent Karl Urban), a problematic, one-man-army soldier. Armed to the back teeth with an arsenal of weaponry they discover most of the scientists are dead…but they aren’t going to stay that way. Up against these deadly monsters, there is going to be a lot of blood and guts.

For the avid game fans, the film is not an entirely faithful adaptation. The concept of hell has been replaced by genetics gone wrong amongst other things and while this may disappoint some, a direct transferral to the screen would have resulted in an almost non-existent plot and action that would get boring pretty quickly when you yourself can’t control. However, a special treat for FPS fans comes towards the end of the movie when Reaper goes monster-hunting and the film switches to his viewpoint. This exciting sequence is packed with blood, screams, and a lot of gun shots. People were literally jumping from their seats when I saw it. Those looking for deep emotions, complex story lines or even good acting may be better served elsewhere. The cast do their job but nothing more than you would expect for a film like this.

It’s pretty much a no-brainer action film, with a fair measure of horror-style moments. You don’t have to have played the game to understand or like it, if you have then it’s a fitting homage to what was no doubt an integral part of your childhood experiences.

Doris Harlow