Review: ‘Uncharted’ is an Enjoyable, Action-Packed Ride with Good Chemistry from Wahlberg and Holland

Columbia Pictures finally brings their long-awaited “Uncharted” adaptation to audiences in the form of a swashbuckling prequel to the games starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. “Zombieland” director Ruben Fleischer takes over from the plethora of directors slated to direct the film over its 14-year production period. Fleischer comes after David O’Russell, Neil Burger, Seth Gordon, Shawn Levy, and Dan Trachtenberg were all expected to direct the film at one point or another. The film marks the debut feature production for Sony’s PlayStation Productions and is the first Naughty Dog video game adaptation to film.

Bringing a Long-Awaited Video Game to Screen

“Uncharted” follows experienced treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) as he recruits a cunning Nathan “Nate” Drake (Tom Holland). They seek to recover a hefty fortune known as ‘Magellan’s Gold,’ once thought lost by the House of Moncada. The duo must race Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs to the infamous fortune; Moncada works with Jo Braddock (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ star Tati Gabrielle”) to bring Nate and Sully down. The treasure-hunting pair are joined by fellow treasure hunter Chloe Frazer (“The Wilds” star Sophia Ali). Will they learn to work together in order to solve some of the world’s oldest mysteries or will they clash?

Considering “Uncharted” is a film that doesn’t require powerhouse performances, Tom Holland manages to give a strong performance throughout, accompanied by an adequate performance from Mark Wahlberg. The A-List pair have great chemistry; they bounce off each other’s witty quips from a script penned by Rafe Judkins, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway. Holland effortlessly takes on Nathan Drake’s suave, tough demeanour; his portrayal feels like a complete 180° turn from Holland’s turn as nerdy webslinger Peter Parker. Solid performances from Tati Gabrielle, Sophia Ali, and Antonio Banderas round out the star-studded cast. Nolan North, who voices Drake in the “Uncharted” games, makes a quick cameo in the film—as Chloe and Nate tell him about their explosive adventures, he replies “Something like that happened to me once”

Action over Substance; ‘Uncharted’ Has its Issues

Despite being one of the few video game adaptations that doesn’t crash and burn into a pile of hot garbage, “Uncharted” still suffers with its share of issues. The film’s pacing is all over the place; the first act seems to whizz by, but the rest of the film feels much slower. “Uncharted” also isn’t exactly the most memorable film; apart from its iconic source material, this isn’t a film that will stay in your head for weeks after you watch it.

Even though it’s a prequel to the games, fans of “Uncharted” will be pleased to know the film incorporates elements from both “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” and “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception,” the latter being referenced in the epic airplane sequence shown in the trailers. The film doesn’t rely on these massive set pieces though; impressive fight choreography is scattered throughout and makes “Uncharted” all the more exciting and action packed.

An Adaptation that Offers Action, Good Acting, and More…

Fans of the series will also enjoy “Uncharted’s” post-credit scenes that more or less confirm a sequel; it offers an important character reveal and a look into another one of Nate and Sully’s globetrotting adventures. “Eternals” and “Game of Thrones” composer Ramin Djawadi creates a score that encompasses the film’s action and emotion. He creates a score that perfectly accompanies the tone of the film.

Ruben Fleischer’s adaptation of the renowned video game franchise is an action-packed affair that offers great performances from the entire cast, entertaining action, and a hilarious friendship between Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland. “Uncharted” is a film the whole family can enjoy—whether you’re a fan of the games or just simply looking for an exciting watch. Tom Holland is thoroughly enjoyable in the leading role and Mark Wahlberg and co. aren’t far behind.

“Uncharted” releases in theaters on February 18th exclusively, but may come to streaming in the near future. 

Support the Site: Consider becoming a sponsor to unlock exclusive, member-only content and help support The Movie Buff!