Year:
2005
Studio:
Universal Studios
Feature:
4/5
DVD:
2/5
I thought this was a pretty good movie. It's based on Doom 3 and as far
as I can tell (not having played Doom 3) it has all the right elements.
It's a simple plot: something has gone wrong on a Mars outpost and a
Marine Rapid Response Team is sent in to investigate. They find
monsters, Marines die, monsters die, leading up to a final
confrontation.
The RRT is led by Sarge (The Rock) and trusted lieutenant Reaper aka
John Grimm (Karl Urban). While the 7-man team investigates they also
have to protect outpost scientist Samantha Grimm (Rosamund Pike) who
happens to be John's sister. Actually we learn that John's parents were
scientists on Mars and died there in an accident, hence why he left.
In any case, it's a very atmospheric movie. Dark and creepy with only a
few monsters lurking about (which I guess is like Doom 3 more than the
previous versions). There is a bit of mystery if you aren't familiar
with the game and there's a cool 5-minute first-person-shooter segment.
Special effects are really good and it was nice that the RRT members
die off slowly -- I don't appreciate movies where the elite team is
decimated in the first few minutes, leaving the hero to soldier on
alone.
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The DVD has about 10 minutes more
footage. There is a scene with a
naked woman monster that was totally cut out. Some stuff with people
backgrounds. Some scenes that are a bit longer or a bit more graphic. I
did find that the additions improved the movie.
Overall I think this a good science fiction horror action film.
Extras
Basic Training (11 min): actors with the military trainers.
Rock Formation (6 min): The Rock getting monster makeup.
Master Monster Makers (11 min): creating the monsters.
First Person Shooter Sequence (6 min): how it was shot.
DOOM Nation (15 min): about the Doom games and history.
Game On! (7 min): basic tips for playing Doom 3.
Doom 3 Xbox Demo: one level demo.
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