Movie Review: The Fighter

Movie: The Fighter

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

Directed By: David O. Russell

Before I dig into the hype and nostalgia that goes with TRON: Legacy, I'd like to distance myself first and talk about the other movie around the corner... the one that's bound to be the "underdog hit" of 2010. I say this not because a lot of people are talking about it; I say it because I literally enjoyed the heck out of this movie, and it wasn't just the action and presentation. Oh no, David O. Russell's "The Fighter" was a dramatic tale that was both brilliant and satisfying, based on a true story that follows two brothers' sworn dedication to boxing and the ring that takes them on an unprecedented journey of courage, sacrifice, and determination to overcome all odds and emerge victorious in the end. Naturally, it is that kind of setting that you see in every dramatization of a story inspired by real life events, but this one has heart and emotion all over it - the kind that is well meaning and supplemented by brilliant acting courtesy of A-List talent that cannot be underestimated by the audience.

Mark Wahlberg is Nathan Drake in the Uncharted movie!

Seems like gamers looking forward to the Uncharted film adaptation finally have their lead... and it's an actor who's been in an action movie and videogame role before.

According to a post in Screen Rant, Mark Wahlberg has landed the coveted role of playing protagonist Nathan "Nate" Drake in the Uncharted movie based on the first game - Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (which I coincidentally got earlier this week as part of my old game collection package!). The film, based on the Playstation 3 video game series of the same name, depicts the character as a modern day treasure hunter in an action adventure/ third person shooter of a game that has death-defying stunts and thrills similar to an Indiana Jones or Die Hard flick. In fact, Nate Drake's character appearance is modeled after Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, so you can see where all stuntman looking resemblance comes from.

With the news of Mark Wahlberg being cast in the role of Nate, I don't know what to feel at this point. I totally respect the actor, and he's a fine one at that, but I just don't see the Nathan Drake persona resonate from him. Heck, Marky Mark played Max Payne in the 2008 film adaptation of the video game of the same name, and that didn't really meet expectations of the fans at all. Let's hope that the star of such films as The Departed and Shooter will be able to pull this role off. The film, based on the first game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, will be helmed by director David O. Russell, with Joe Pesci ad Robert De Niro also slated to star alongside Mr. Wahlberg. No new details have risen so far, but for more info on this update, check out the source article at Screen Rant.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is slated for a 2012 release.