Doom (2005) [Review]

"If they were so smart, how come they're so dead?"

PLOT SYNOPSIS

Contact with a classified research lab on Mars has ceased. Fearing the worst, the government sends a squad of Marines to find out what has happened and quash any possibly threats they encounter.

REVIEW

Time and perspective can really work in the favor of a film. 11 years after its release (holy shit, how is this thing already 11 years old?!), I finally got to see DOOM and, without the influence of friends and all the bad reviews I'd read back in the day, I was actually able to walk away with a smile on my face and a feeling of satisfaction.

I suspect this happened for two reasons:

1) I expected hot garbage, so my expectations were extremely low 2) I knew the film deviated from the original game's "story" in certain ways, so the changes didn't bug me

Now, DOOM is far from being a masterpiece, but it's a really fun popcorn flick if you take it for what it is and forget about its origins. Lots of silly characters, over-the-top performances, and wicked action. Its infamous first-person sequence is amazing and worth the price of admission alone; I have yet to see that replicated elsewhere.

Most of the actors aren't great, but they play their part adequately and in line with this movie needs. The cheese is strong, especially the dose delivered by a young, unrefined Dwayne Johnson. He's not horrible, but he's very one-dimensional, dare I say hammy, in his approach. I suppose it's fine seeing as his character is a by-the-numbers military man, but you can't help but cringe/smile whenever he opens his mouth. Karl Urban is by far the best actor here, but he's usually awesome so that comes as no surprise. Expect his usual badass trademarks: growling, scowling, complaining, and shooting.

The film's effects still hold up very well and are quite convincing. That nano wall thing is awesome, and the creatures look great, in a late 90's, direct-to-video kind of way. Heck, the whole package feels like a late 90's sci-fi schlockfest. It's simple, it's dumb, it feels "low-budget" ... it's great.

If you haven't seen DOOM, check it out. Yes, at its core it's your run-of-the-mill "marines investigate complex that has gone dark" flick, à la ALIENS, but the over-the-top action and characters make it worth your time if you want good/bad, unclean (TONS of gore), brainless fun.

SUMMARY

A good time if you leave your brain at the door and enjoy mindless action. And Karl Urban doing what he does best: being a moody asskicker.

VERDICT

GOOD

PROS

An amazing first-person sequence
Karl Urban being Karl Urban
A young Dwayne Johnson that still hasn't honed his skills; fun to watch him overact
Great cheesy dialogue
A 90's sci-fi flick vibe

CONS