Table of Contents
Photo: ‘Uncharted’
‘Uncharted’ is, at its core, an adaptation. The characters, story, and action all come from the PlayStation game series of the same name. Now, I am by no means a gamer, I didn’t have any understanding of the series before watching this film. I knew that the film was led by Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg and as both a young person and a Boston native, that was enough for me.
Die-hard fans of the game series may have differing opinions, but going in blind left me satisfied. ‘Uncharted’ may not be the most intelligent or groundbreaking film, but it was fun. It balanced action and comedy with suspense and plot twists to create a viewing experience that was more than enjoyable. The theater was full of energy and laughter, and to me, that’s what matters most.
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘West Side Story’ Full Commentary – Rita Moreno, Steven Spielberg, Rachel Zegler
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – EXCLUSIVE: ‘Dune’ Full Commentary, Reactions, Making Of – Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘House of Gucci’ Full Commentary & Behind the Scenes – Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino
Related article: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘Belfast’ Full Commentary & BTS – Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench
What is ‘Uncharted’?
Imagine a mix of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Tomb Raider’, then add in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. That mixture is basically what you can expect from ‘Uncharted’. The story follows Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, a twenty-something bartender, and pickpocket. We first meet Drake attempting to steal Ferdinand Magellan’s map with his older brother, Sam, an attempt that will untimely leave him left all alone. His brother needed to flee the police, leaving Drake with nothing but postcards and a necklace to remind him of the only family he had left.
After a time jump, we’re back in New York watching Tom Holland bring his charm and charisma as Drake and the people he pickpockets. His prowess in both theft and dazzling customers catches the attention of Mark Wahlberg’s Sully, who recruits Drake for his next heist. After Sully reveals that the heist involves the Magellan map from Drake’s childhood, wealth and riches, and most importantly, his lost brother, Drake is all in.
Related article: Tom Holland: FACT-CHECKED Series Of The 15 Things You Might Not Know About The Star Of Spider-Man
The Battle of the Leads
‘Uncharted’ is nearly equally led by Holland and Wahlberg. Before we could dig into the Magellan heist, the film was reminiscent of a buddy adventure-comedy. Holland and Wahlberg played off of each other beautifully, with the majority of the dialogue being comedic. The two built a bromance that served as the core of the film. The combination of boyish charm from Holland and brooding sarcasm from Wahlberg meant there was something for everyone.
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Chris Evans Role From 1997 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
When the idea of an ‘Uncharted’ film adaptation first came around a decade ago, Wahlberg was a front runner for the role of Nathan Drake. Although he wasn’t ultimately cast to play the lead, it felt like Sully and Drake were fighting to be the protagonist. Having two strong characters (and strong actors) co-lead meant that the other characters did not get as much attention as they deserved. Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali) rounds out the trio of protagonists that hunt for the treasure, but her character lacks development and memorable motivation. The opposing team of hunters is a constantly looming antagonist but does not have much to do with the story other than filling the role of the bad guys.
Action, Adventure and Mystery
The film follows a set cycle of solving a clue, finding the next one, and fighting off the bad guys. This is the way the film progresses from one destination to the next, it’s constant and simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun. Each mystery brought the leading trio to a new place to put together the next piece of the puzzle and navigate booby-trapped ruins. The mystery and adventure brought suspense; I was often on the edge of my seat to see how the characters would get out of the traps that seemed impossible to escape.
Related article: The Rising Star That is Tom Holland | Spider-Man, Avengers, Spies in Disguise | Hollywood Insider
What stood out to me most in the action scenes was how skilled Tom Holland was at the fight choreography. His background in dance and gymnastics made him the perfect actor for the job. He was incredible to watch, his agility and grace added an air of competency to Drake, who was otherwise much less qualified than the other hunters after the treasure. Drake was new to the heist scene and had never hunted treasure before, but Tom Holland was far from out of place. It’s refreshing to see an actor who can keep up with intense choreography without sacrificing the character.
Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider
Related article: #metoo Revolution: Powerful Questions That Need Answers
Related article: FACT-CHECKED Series: Timothee Chalamet and 32 Facts about The Young Superstar
The Real Treasure was the Cast and Crew
Despite its struggles, ‘Uncharted’ was incredibly fun to watch. It was exciting, engaging and at times laugh out loud funny. This can all be attributed to the cast, Tom Holland was charming and naive, Mark Wahlberg was snarky and sharp, and Sophia Ali brought much-needed level-headedness and quick thinking to the equation. I never lost interest in following the trio, even if their adventures were repetitive. The cast’s chemistry and individual acting skills made any scene exciting and emotional.
‘Uncharted’ was directed by Ruben Fleischer, known for his work directing ‘Venom’ and ‘Zombieland’. Fleischer is no stranger to action and it was evident in the directing. The directing and cinematography made for a cohesive final product, with the camera movements and shots always keeping up with the fast pace of the film. It was easy to follow the action without missing out on plot points and character development that might have risked getting lost in the commotion.
Related article: MUST WATCH – The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s Love Letter to Black Lives Matter – VIDEO
Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
Related article: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase: “The Importance of Venice Film Festival as the Protector of Cinema”
Related article: The Masters of Cinema Archives: The Hollywood Insider Pays Tribute to ‘La Vie En Rose’, Exclusive Interview with Director Olivier Dahan
Related article: – Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
In Summary: Why it’s Worth a Watch
I believe that not all films need to be a Best-Picture-Winning, groundbreaking piece of art to be a good film. ‘Uncharted’ isn’t the type of movie that will be looked back on as a film that defined a generation, and that’s okay. It was fun to watch and even the most critical movie-goers deserve to have a light-hearted good time. Also, if you stick around to the post-credits scene, you’ll see the perfect set up for a sequel; Might as well stay on top of things.
Cast: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali
Writers: Rafe Judkins, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway
Director: Ruben Fleischer
By Lara Glennon
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV. media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider
– Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
– A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema
– Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece
– A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond
– In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More
uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted, uncharted
Author
You might also like…
Lara Glennon is an aspiring screenwriter looking to share her love and passion for all things film and television. She aims to use her writing to shine a light on artists who are working to make change, both in media and in the world. The Hollywood Insider’s focus on substance over gossip is perfect for Lara, as she wants to highlight the good in the world and those who create it. She enjoys spending her time creating and consuming art, searching for unique voices and ideas in media.
Lara Glennon is an aspiring screenwriter looking to share her love and passion for all things film and television. She aims to use her writing to shine a light on artists who are working to make change, both in media and in the world. The Hollywood Insider’s focus on substance over gossip is perfect for Lara, as she wants to highlight the good in the world and those who create it. She enjoys spending her time creating and consuming art, searching for unique voices and ideas in media.
