Doom (2005)

25 out of 27 people found the following review helpful:

Not What It Could've been

katanaman from Cheshire, 9th April, 2006

This film could've worked so much better if they'd stuck to the idea of the games.
A typical thing to say as a fan of the games, I know.

The film starts quite well, with quite a good cast really, and with a few subtle references to the games eg, the coloured doors. However, when the film is half way through, and the plot has been explained. That's when it goes downhill. As it turns out, all the monsters are actually mutations due to a bad reaction to a genetic experiment.
Sound like Resident Evil at all?

The monsters resemble those of Doom 3 in looks only, they can't throw any fireballs though. I would have thought they film makers would have stuck to the idea that they were an invasion force from Hell, which would have been better. The part where all types of chaos breaks out only happens in the form of a first person (complete with the hovering gun from the games) for about 15 mins.
I my mind, that doesn't seem to do the Doom name justice.

If you're curious, and after a film where you can pretty much take your brain out and put it on one side for an hour and a half, then this is it. That's only my oppinion though, and so I leave you to decide on it.

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16 out of 19 people found the following review helpful:

HURT ME PLENTY!

James from Chorleywood, Barnet, Peckham, 6th April, 2006

I rented this from Choices recently (03/04/06). Being a big fan of the game (the heading's a modest clue) the not-so-rave reviews from way back stunted any initial interest and urgency of a cinema trip. However, when I saw it on the shelf I decided Why not! Anyway, I won't go into the storyline, it's fine - possibly touched upon before in resident Evil, a previous great game to film conversion (and not bad too IMO!). The acting's ok; the catty, creepy guy is a good character. Really, the film's success is in its appeal to fans of the game (I honestly can't see why anyone would want to see it if they weren't already a fan of which there must be millions anyway); so, does it work? For most of the film, yes, it's fun! Fans will no doubt look for and spot familiar environmental characteristics, and they're there - like the shapes of doors, particular weaponry ;) and gameplay. It's no secret there's a 1st person sequence thrown in - and why not?! It's very well executed and quite funny I thought (I can't decide whether it's a form of geek humour but no matter). That's about 5 minutes, a nice wink to the 1st person shoot'em-up genre the way no other film has tried to (or is that dared to?!). My only complaint, though fortunately I was warned on request by the Choices guy - and I shall duly save you the disappointment by telling you why and now - is the ending! It's a bizarre confrontation between The Rock and 'a soldier' that unjustifiably tries to imitate a wrestling match, even so far as to at one point substituting metal wiring for ring-ropes (strangling). Now, no one should need to love WWF to not find this scene ridiculous. But ignore this bit and enjoy the rest for what it's worth. Also, don't expect it to get too dark and hellish with pentagrams, lakes of fire and barons and spidey machines roaming about: it's not THAT faithful to the game! But it's not bad: I give it three flame-eyed skulls out of five!

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14 out of 19 people found the following review helpful:

Fantastic!

TheKIngOfFuh from from Aldershot, 22nd February, 2006

I recently purchased the US Unrated edition, and we were completely blown away. The acting is OK, and contrary to what other reviewers have said, there IS a storyline. I was a bit confused by the 1st person perspective scene in the film, which would have been better on the big screen - on the small screen, yes, it is a bit like playing the game. That scene aside, the film was 1st class entertainment from start to finish, and is highly recommended, whether you're a fan of the compuer games, or not.

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21 out of 38 people found the following review helpful:

We're gonna need something with a little bit more kick.

JediSi from , 29th October, 2007

Yes, years ago, I too played Doom to death, who didn't ? Compared with the games of today Doom is pretty unspectacular, but its not one of the highest played games ever for nothing. But, is making a movie from a very out of date video game a good idea? Probably not. It's not in Alien or Species league, but it is worth watching...more than once. It's not disappointing by any means, as long as ridiculously large guns and the usually over-egoed yanks to go with it are your thing. It sits further towards action than horror, and the acting is below average (for either genres), but the action scenes were pretty cool and the gore sufficient. All in all, I expected a lot, lot worse.

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*** May contain spoilers ***

What Is This?!?!?!?

A Customer from Hitchin, England, 27th October, 2008

This has nothing to do with the game. There is no part of this film that even resembles what the games are about. Stick to the game ideas and don't make up your own. Overall a bad film with bad acting and bad CGI. I knew it would be bad when the Rock was in it. A rubbish actor with an almost plastic face. I was glad when he died. Don't bother wasting 2 hours of your life.

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Doom

A Customer from Ashbourne, 25th October, 2008

I was a bit sceptical when it arrived but I enjoyed the scares. but unblivable but plausible exciting couple of hrs

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*** May contain spoilers ***

A half decent start descends into absolute dross.

Alexioni from , 1st September, 2008

Well, I wasn't expecting much from Doom, I was more so thinking it would be a typical bad video game to film translation. But, to my surprise the first hour was fairly suspenseul and the action was well handled. However, as soon as characters start dying, the film just gets plain bad. Two main characters are killed within 10 seconds of each other and there is no emotion at all, some bits are just plain idiotic, I didn't even know the name of the last surviving marine, the first person bit was terrible, just like watching someone else play a video game, dull and unexiting, the fight at the end was just moronic and didn't work, all the deaths seemed to be hands grabbing people... I just didn't like it. Fans of the game will likely enjoy it though and if you weant a big dumb action movie this is a good choice.

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DOOM(ed) from the start.

sussexseagull from from Haywards Heath, 22nd August, 2008

Not too bad but not good at the same time. watch if you are a fan of the game. Resident Evil is a better choice.

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