Ask a video game expert what the definitive first-person shooter is and 1993's 'Doom' will be the top answer. 'Doom' solidified chainsaws, rocket launchers and shotguns as weapons of choice, was condemned for graphic violence and made killing demons a joyful pastime, setting a blueprint for more than a decade of video games.
Unfortunately, the new film adaptation of 'Doom' doesn't set any new trends and winds up following the blueprint for unnecessary movies about video games. The film is a shadow of 2004's gory and chilling 'Doom 3,' filled with all of its visuals but almost none of the spirit. Some feelings of tension are inspired, but most of them come from waiting for the film to stop.
The original plot of 'Doom''a gate to hell opened on Mars'has been thrown out in favor of a complicated story of genetic research gone awry. An uncompromising sergeant (The Rock) and his team of marines head down to the research center with the goal of securing the location, protecting survivors and shooting anything that gets in their way.
They manage to fail every one of these directives, but only the last one really matters'for a film centered on a first-person shooter, there is an unacceptable lack of firefights. Zombies and fanged monsters stagger through the halls, but it takes almost an hour for the first one to get shot and deaths only move to double digits in the last 20 minutes of the film.
This departure from the story and killing is especially frustrating when visual elements are taken into consideration. The designers have captured the feel of 'Doom 3's' shattered research center perfectly'rusted pipes, industrial lighting and turquoise computer terminals could have been lifted straight from the game'and yet all the marines can do is jump from room to room and jerk their heads around.
Even 'Doom's' most ambitious move, adapting the first-person viewpoint onto the big screen, comes up short. The five-minute sequence is the high point of the movie and captures a lot of 'Doom 3's' original spirit'gaming veterans will be twitching their fingers wishing for a controller'but it looks uncontrolled on the big screen and comes too late to change any feelings about the film.
About the only enjoyable thing in 'Doom' is The Rock, who, when given a better role than the Scorpion King from 'The Mummy Returns,' is an entertaining action hero. His hard-nosed 'Semper Fi, motherfucker' marine actually seems to have fun killing monsters and spouting one-liners, and it's not a stretch of the imagination to picture him hefting the BFG blasting his way through 'Doom 3's' gothic levels.
Unfortunately, his screen time is cut off in favor of his ineffective squad. Karl Urban, who is supposed to be the film's star, takes a step back from his success in 'Lord of the Rings' and focuses on brooding and growing facial hair. His cohorts are no better, recognizable only as stereotypes from every action movie'nervous rookie, muscular and taciturn black guy, religious veteran and cowardly sleazebag.
'Doom' may be the best video game movie in a long time'but when you consider its competition, that's not saying much. If you want the 'Doom' experience for yourself, you're better off staying home, turning off the lights and playing 'Doom 3' for two hours. Weapons actually get used, there's only one main character to focus on and you can skip over the cutscenes to reach the bloodshed.
