Film adaptation of Max Payne game hits US theaters

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | New York
The latest film adaptation of a video game hits theaters in the United States this week with the release of Max Payne. The dark, atmospheric film, which stars Mark Wahlberg as a cop in search of the men who killed his wife and child, follows in the footsteps of games turned into films including the Tomb Raider movies starring Angelina Jolie, which were commercial hits but critically clobbered by gamers.

"Video game translations are not for the weak-hearted. It's been a very mixed bag in terms of results. If you read the chat threads there's a big thumbs down from gamers, as opposed to the comic book adaptations, which have been a rip-roaring success. Video games have sort of stumbled in their transition to the big screen." said John Moore, director, Max Payne.

With other film versions in the works for game franchises like Sony's Pictures' Metal Gear Solid, Universal's God of War, Walt Disney Pictures' Prince of Persia and others that track record could change. Max Payne is the second fall video game adaptation by 20th Century Fox, which had success last year with the $100 million hit, Hitman.

Fox is also developing a film based on Electronic Arts best-selling PC game The Sims and is working with Capcom and Hyde Park Entertainment on Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li and the new Street Fighter IV game.

Arad Productions is developing games like Sony Online Entertainment's EverQuest, Sony Computer Entertainment America's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, BioWare's Mass Effect and Namco Bandai's Pac-Man into films.

Stuart Beattie, who worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean films, has penned a script for a Gears of War movie, based on Epic Games' best-selling franchise.