** out of 5

Rating: Null/10 (6 August 2002)

After movies like Super Mario Bros, Double Dragon and Tomb Raider showed that it is not easy to convert video games to the big screen this movie comes along and prooves that even more true. Great special effects can't save this mixed bag of action, horro and sci-fi that is neither exciting, scarey nor innovative. The film slightly succeeds on a "kick ass" level due to a nice performance from Michelle Rodriguez, but everyone else seems somewhat miscast. A weak story and even weaker execution make the film often confusing and it seems like the filmmakers expected everyone seeing this movie to have already played the game. This film probably wouldn't have even survived the first weeks at the box office without its namesake but because the game is so popular and the end setting itself up for this, I am sad to report that there will more than likely be a sequal. I just hope they get it right the second time around.