'Ratchet and Clank' Movie Review

Hello, fellow moviegoers!
   One of the largest discussions going on in the film industry right now is what the next “big thing” is going to be. Studios are looking to the future to see what audiences will want to see next. They want to get ahead of the curve. Many studios believe that this Holy Grail comes in the form video game adaptations. This year alone four films based upon popular video games are set to hit the big screen. The first of these films to be released is based on the popular Playstation game Ratchet and Clank.
   Ratchet and Clank is directed by Kevin Munroe, and it features the voices of James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Jim Ward, Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Sylvester Stallone, Bella Thorne, and Rosario Dawson. The story follows Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic who hopes to become a Galactic Ranger, and his robotic friend Clank as they fight to save the galaxy from the likes of the evil Chairman Drek and Doctor Nefarious. So is the first film of a new video game movie renaissance?

​   Ratchet and Clank suffers from one of the worst things imaginable for a film, mediocrity. When a film is really good, obviously you remember that film and recommend it. When a film is really bad, you tell people about how bad it is. In both cases, the film is being talked about. That puts it into peoples’ minds so they’ll remember it. However, when a film suffers from the type of mediocrity Ratchet and Clank does, it becomes forgettable. Nobody wants to talk about it, and it slowly slips out of the public eye.
   The film has a great voice cast. Any film with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, John Goodman, and Paul Giamatti attached would normally be considered a must-see. However, they each play minor characters in the film, so they aren’t really in it enough to make a difference. That being said, the voices of each of the main characters were extremely well done. James Arnold Taylor and David Kaye as the voices of Ratchet and Clank were both fantastic. They’ve both grown used to the characters as they have voiced them throughout many of the games. Props to the studio for using them in the film as well, instead of bringing in a big-name actor to take the part over.
   The story of the film isn’t nearly interesting enough to keep you invested in the film. Both of the lead characters were great in their own right, but because the story was so weak it didn’t give them enough to do. Because of this, the characters became boring and the film felt like it just droned on. The film is only an hour and a half long, but it felt as if it were at least two hours. The plot was so one-note that it didn’t really feel like it was going anywhere.
   The humor in this film was extremely hit-and-miss. There are several jokes and scenes in the film that were extremely clever and well done. It was during those scenes that I found myself the most entertained. However, the rest of the humor was so over-the-top and obnoxious that it became annoying. Younger kids may enjoy it, but parents, probably not.
   Ratchet and Clank was a film filled with so much promise. It has such rich source material to pull from, but it failed to meet its own potential. There are moments of fun throughout it, but those are mostly dulled down by obnoxious humor and a monotonous plot. The only way I can see anyone enjoying this movie is if they’re either a fan of the original games or if they’re under the age of 10. It wasn’t necessarily a bad film, but it wasn’t a good one either. It’s the type of movie you go to, you watch, you leave, and then you forget about it.
5/10

​   On a separate note, this film makes me extremely nervous about the upcoming Sly Cooper film. You can read about my thoughts on that project here. Sly Cooper is also being directed by Kevin Munroe, so let’s hope it doesn’t fall victim to the same sort of mediocrity.
   So what did you think about Ratchet and Clank? Are you a fan of the original games? Let me know by commenting on this post! Also, if you enjoyed this review, share it on Facebook and Twitter. It really helps! Don’t forget, I post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so check back then for more movie reviews and miscellaneous movie thoughts.
 
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