It took $70 million to bring classic game Doom to the screen. Where, why, and how that money was spent never ends up on screen. It 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 in the first place.
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). Much of the film is comprised of shots showing 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 is of course a direct contrast to the game, one that 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, and the pinky demon is realized successfully. This is the sole showcase moment of the film, and about the only fan service it has to offer.
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, Duke, and Pinky), the movie never should be made. It's inherently cheesy in a movie that's trying to be a serious horror film.
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 in the first place. 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. (* out of *****)
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
I actually had fun with this strictly B level piece. Granted it probably should have had a different title. I like the Rock as an action star, but he was seriously handcuffed here.
Best line:
"I'm not supposed to die!"
Loved it!
2 - Matt Paprocki
See, I might have taken it that way if it was on Sci-Fi Channel or cost about $10 million. But it didn't, and it tried to play everything straight. Hard to see the B-movie aspirations.
And yeah, no question about the quote.
3 - Chris Beaumont
Can we agree this is better than Aeon Flux?
Please?
4 - Matt Paprocki
Having not even seen it, yeah, I'd probably agree. =;)