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GATW Podcast Ep. 11: Max Pain

John Mulhern

by: John Mulhern
May 31st, 2010

Maybe it's just me, but I'm still trying to figure out why the official theme song for PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME isn't Cher's "If I could turn back time." I can't help but wonder things like this with PRINCE OF PERSIA being this weekends big summer action movie, one that just so happens to be based off a video game series. Video game movies often aren't received very well, but they keep coming out. But can PRINCE OF PERSIA break the cycle with its high production costs and quality actors? I guess we'll find out, but until then let's talk the good, the bad, and the video game movie.

Hit the break for the episode and its synopsis!

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME is here, and we can't help but reminisce about video game movies past. Before we jump into that, we felt it was very important to bring up the discussion "Are video games art?" We also discuss a certain ballsy director that is notorious in the video game movie world and if he should keep making movies.

 

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  • drewtinnin

    great ep! You two were plenty entertaining but if ya ever need a last minute guest host, lemme know!

    Original Prince of Persia is available on the iphone now, FYI and it's more fun than the movie.

  • http://www.teagivesmeglee.com TheJohnMulhern

    Thanks man! We'll get you in next time!

  • drewtinnin

    It's odd that there are so many great games that are developed to compliment the release of a big blockbuster, but so few flicks that are based on games ever end up being high quality. Why is it so difficult to do the reverse of a winning formula?

    I'd be curious to know what games out-grossed the movies they were based off of. I know Tron made more money than the film did upon release, for example.

  • http://www.teagivesmeglee.com TheJohnMulhern

    Man, I'm having a hard time thinking of games based off movies that were actually good. More often than not the games are rushed out to meet the release of the movie and are very low quality. There are exceptions though. The WOLVERINE ORIGINS game was MUCH MUCH better than the movie was.

    I think the main reason that the game movies don't turn out great is just because often times they are trying too hard to capture the gaming market while also trying to capture basic audiences and end up making a mish-mash film. I think that more game movies need to be handled like PRINCE OF PERSIA, whether or not you like the movie or not, I think it was certainly a step in the right direction.

    I'm not really sure on specifics, but I'm sure it's pretty common, especially considering the games that make it to movies are usually tentpole games, and not high grossing, lackluster movies. Not to mention that the gaming industry makes a lot more annually than the film industry these days. I'm sure it is common, but I don't know of any good examples.

  • drewtinnin

    great ep! You two were plenty entertaining but if ya ever need a last minute guest host, lemme know!

    Original Prince of Persia is available on the iphone now FYI, and it's more fun than the movie.

  • http://www.teagivesmeglee.com TheJohnMulhern

    Thanks man! We'll get you in next time!

  • drewtinnin

    It's odd that there are so many great games that are developed to compliment the release of a big blockbuster, but so few flicks that are based on games ever end up being high quality. Why is it so difficult to do the reverse of a winning formula?

    I'd be curious to know what games out-grossed the movies they were based off of. I know Tron made more money than the film did upon release, for example.

  • http://www.teagivesmeglee.com TheJohnMulhern

    Man, I'm having a hard time thinking of games based off movies that were actually good. More often than not the games are rushed out to meet the release of the movie and are very low quality. There are exceptions though. The WOLVERINE ORIGINS game was MUCH MUCH better than the movie was.

    I think the main reason that the game movies don't turn out great is just because often times they are trying too hard to capture the gaming market while also trying to capture basic audiences and end up making a mish-mash film. I think that more game movies need to be handled like PRINCE OF PERSIA, whether or not you like the movie or not, I think it was certainly a step in the right direction.

    I'm not really sure on specifics, but I'm sure it's pretty common, especially considering the games that make it to movies are usually tentpole games, and not high grossing, lackluster movies. Not to mention that the gaming industry makes a lot more annually than the film industry these days. I'm sure it is common, but I don't know of any good examples.

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