It took $70 million to bring classic game Doom to the screen. Where, why, and how that money was spent is a mystery when you look at the screen. This looks like a cheap B-movie, hiding the creatures in the darkness even though the suits are spectacular. It also misses countless key details from the game, and as such, it has no reason to be called "Doom".
Switching gears from creatures that sprouted from the depths of hell to genetic experimentation gone wrong, Doom doesn't appeal to anyone. The action fans out there will find the long, pointless build-up unnecessary (especially since the space marines end up as food anyway) and video game fans only have a few moments to smirk at the references (Dr. Carmack, BFG). Another, a character named Pinky, kills a surprise late in the film.
Much of the film is comprised of shots of the actors walking through a hallway at the viewer. It wouldn't be stretch to say 30% of the movie is filmed this way. This extended cut adds 12 minutes, including a few shots of additional gore and some nudity. Other changes are not noticeable.
This is of course a direct contrast to the game, which had a first-person viewpoint that still holds up today. During a brief five or so minute run at the end, we get to see that from Karl Urban's view. The sequence is put together wonderfully. This is the sole showcase moment of the film, and about the only fan service it has to offer, though it adds nothing to plot or storyline.
Long before you make it to that sequence near the finale, you'll need to deal with tired marine dialogue and The Rock, who in no way is allowed to be "The Rock." When your lead character's name is Sarge (and he's accompanied by Goat, The Kid, Mac, and Duke), the movie never should be made. It's inherently cheesy in a movie that's trying to be a serious horror film.
At times, it does succeed on this level. Audio is effectively used to create eerie atmosphere. Every sound is perfectly timed. This is true for the first half hour, and after that, the tired "make a noise to create a scare" is predictable. Once the genetically mutated critters begin their assault, all of this is forgotten for the sake of occasionally tough to see action due to the gloom.
The large set-pieces at times feel overdone. Very little in this movie isn't. The guns are huge, creatures enormous, and the effects stuck in places where there shouldn't be any. Creatures remain subdued in their design, with a fleshy, burnt look that adds to the creepiness of the long corridors, but doesn't do much to the movie.
The long winding corridors of Doom almost make it feel like an Alien clone. Sadly, nothing else about it does. It's a dull action film, and it's hard to think of a more critical flaw in the genre than that. Video game fans have been betrayed again by Hollywood. 
Doom is a movie that relies completely on its video and audio presentation to make it work. The standard DVD release was impressive, and this HD-DVD is a step up. The added resolution works to dramatically increase the gory details. Dirt on the walls gives the environments a desolate feel not found previously.
![Doom [UMD for PSP]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513Z8NRR4PL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - Kaonashi
"As Keith Urban character begins an assault through his own eyes true to the game, it's a sequence..."
LOL, don't you mean Karl Urban? ;) Keith Urban is Nicole Kidman's country singer husband drying out at rehab somewhere.