I've been following the recent releases of Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy with interest. Specifically, how well the producers/writers would pull it off and comparing the success of the translation of game to movie of TR & FF with that of WCM. While the story line on all three seems to have been panned by the critics (who are not always right) TR & FF seem to be making decent returns at the box office. And I'm pretty sure that this success is not due only to fan patronage.
Though I haven't seen FF (my kids loved it though) I've read that its story is somewhat uninspired(?). I did however see TR and was very disappointed (I'm sorry, was the Writers Guild already on strike when they wrote the script?). TR blew a great opportunity and I personally feel that its success is ONLY due to Angelina Jolie's presence. It did have a few good action scenes but, as one critic put it, I spent the better part of the movie waiting for the next action sequence.
When I think of WCM, I wonder if its failure came from not fitting into the right market - TR seems to appeal to kids and adults alike (for different reasons ie Jolie) while FF seems geared mainly towards kids. When I think back on WCM, it seemed too 'teen' orientated to me - possibly due to Freddie P's presence.
Alternatively, could marketing have been another issue? Every movie I've seen in the last few months has had the FF trailer in it - I don't recall as big a marketing campaign for WCM.
I'm just surprised that TR/FF are doing so well (I had originally thought that FF would flop big time) and WCM did so poorly. Though I did not care for WCM, I don't think that TR was much better (if any) and it seems that same could be said for FF. Where did WCM go wrong?
Though I haven't seen FF (my kids loved it though) I've read that its story is somewhat uninspired(?). I did however see TR and was very disappointed (I'm sorry, was the Writers Guild already on strike when they wrote the script?). TR blew a great opportunity and I personally feel that its success is ONLY due to Angelina Jolie's presence. It did have a few good action scenes but, as one critic put it, I spent the better part of the movie waiting for the next action sequence.
When I think of WCM, I wonder if its failure came from not fitting into the right market - TR seems to appeal to kids and adults alike (for different reasons ie Jolie) while FF seems geared mainly towards kids. When I think back on WCM, it seemed too 'teen' orientated to me - possibly due to Freddie P's presence.
Alternatively, could marketing have been another issue? Every movie I've seen in the last few months has had the FF trailer in it - I don't recall as big a marketing campaign for WCM.
I'm just surprised that TR/FF are doing so well (I had originally thought that FF would flop big time) and WCM did so poorly. Though I did not care for WCM, I don't think that TR was much better (if any) and it seems that same could be said for FF. Where did WCM go wrong?