Film Review: "Uncharted" (2022).

From the director of Zombieland and Venom comes Uncharted. This action-adventure film directed by Ruben Fleischer, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, based on the video game series of the same title developed by Naughty Dog. The film follows street-smart Nathan Drake and showcases his first treasure-hunting adventure with wisecracking partner Victor "Sully" Sullivan. The film spans the globe and follows Nate and Sully as they embark on the dangerous pursuit of "the greatest treasure never found" while also tracking clues that may lead to Nate’s long-lost brother.

In 2008, the film entered development with film producer Avi Arad stating that he would be working with Sony Pictures to develop a film adaptation of the video game series, but the film entered a complicated production process, with various directors, writers and cast members attached at various points. Filmmakers David O. Russell, Neil Burger, Seth Gordon, Shawn Levy, Dan Trachtenberg and Travis Knight were initially signed to direct, while Wahlberg was set to play Drake in early development. In May 2017, Holland was cast as Drake. In January 2020, Fleischer was hired as the director. In February 2020, Fleischer was confirmed as director, with the film's plot serving as an origin story to the games. The film will take inspiration from the fourth game in the series, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016). By mid March, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle and Pilou Asbæk rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late October. Filming took place at Babelsberg Studios, near Berlin, Germany, as well as Alicante, Barcelona, Valencia and Xàbia, Spain. Filming was shut down later that day due to the coronavirus pandemic. In late July, production officially resumed, shooting in Babelsberg Studios, with proper social distancing and mask requirements being implemented on and off the set. In early August, Banderas temporarily left production after he tested positive for coronavirus. In late August, Banderas recovered from coronavirus, returning to production soon after. The film was originally set for a June 10, 2016 release date, but was delayed to June 30, 2017. The film was later delayed to December 18, 2020, and then to March 5, 2021, after Knight's departure. It was further delayed to October 8, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was then moved up to July 16, 2021, before moving to February 11, 2022, and then again to the following week.

The film stars Holland, Wahlberg, Banderas, Ali, Gabrielle and Asbæk. It feels unintentionally funny, as if all the cast except for Holland and Wahlberg understood they were acting in a generic video game movie.

The first half hour of the film feels very rushed, as if the director is trying to get all the backstory and all the set up out of the way, sucking away all the emotional investment that the viewer is supposed to have. However, the film offers a nice reminder that there's still a lot of entertainment to be had in a film that just wants to be crazy fun -- and then delivers on that promise.

Simon says Uncharted receives:

Also, see my review for Zombieland: Double Tap.