Video Games Made into Movies: Action-Packed Adaptations

Video games made into movies often spark a heated debate among the fans of the original video game franchise, and many fail to impress critics once the big screen adaptation hits theaters. Fortunately, some titles are paired with a stellar cast, quality directing and a great soundtrack-if fans can bring themselves to risk disappointment and watch the film. The following movie adaptations are action-packed versions of the story lines fans love, and several even offer dark plot twists, mysterious villains, or hordes of undead.

Video Game Movie: "Resident Evil"
The "Resident Evil" franchise grew from the original video game into multiple sequels, and the series has a considerable fan base following every news headline regarding the familiar characters. In 2002, Milla Jovovich stepped into the shoes of Alice, a character absent in the original video game storyline. The movie adaptation captured the suspense, horror and zombie-infested world fans loved in the video games, but it was also enjoyable to viewers who had never touched the console series. Yahoo! users have rated "Resident Evil" a B- after more than 31,000 ratings.

Video Game Movie: "Max Payne"
In 2008, Mark Wahlberg joined the cast of "Max Payne" to portray Max, the anti-hero of the video game franchise known for his lust for revenge, sarcastic dialog and affinity for finding trouble. The video games had a wonderful film noir feel to them, very 1920s cinema with a dash of modern props-not to mention a comic book style format for the cut scenes. "Max Payne" managed to capture the obsessive edge to Max, while clinging to the dark, mysterious roots of the series. Yahoo! users have rated "Max Payne" a B- after more than 6,000 ratings.

Video Game Movie: "Hitman"
The "Hitman" video game franchise is certainly full of action-packed game-play, with plenty of mysteries, plot twists and explosions to keep fans hooked on the series. The 2007 movie adaptation starring Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47 was met with mixed reviews, but diehard fans of the series enjoyed its take on the world of the lethal, elite assassin Agent 47. Yahoo! users have rated "Hitman" a B after more than 10,000 ratings.

Video Game Movie: "Silent Hill"
One of the darkest, creepiest video game series still releasing new content, "Silent Hill" is right up there with "Resident Evil" in regards to dark, deadly and often undead threats. Fans of the series were leery at the announcement of a movie adaptation, but the film managed to capture the eerie, foreboding quality of the series setting well enough to lure gamers into the theater. Full of suspense, action and twisted imagery, "Silent Hill" was one of the best thrillers of 2006. Yahoo! users have rated "Silent Hill" a B- after more than 19,000 ratings.

Video Game Movie: "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider"
The "Tomb Raider" franchise is less dark and spooky than "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil," but the video games pack a tremendous amount of addictive puzzles, challenges and story twists into the hit series. When Angelina Jolie signed-on to play Lara Croft in the 2001 movie adaptation-and the 2003 sequel, "The Cradle of Life"-fans of the series knew that the stunning, clever and competent Lara Croft character was in good hands; Jolie remains one of the most successful action movie actresses' to-date. Yahoo! users have rated "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" a B- after more than 21,000 ratings.

Sources:
Yahoo! Movies