Ratchet & Clank based on the PlayStation games from Insomniac Games is the kid-friendly movie which wants the gamer crowd too. The film is a basic hero story about Ratchet (James Arnold Taylor, also the voice in the video game), a young lombax (a cat-like creature) who joins forces with Clank, a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn. After stumbling upon a weapon that can destroy entire planets, they join forces with a team of do-gooders known as the Galactic Rangers. Together, they must stop the evil alien Chairman Drek from utilizing this dangerous technology. Along the way learn the hero business is much more complicated than it seems while also gain life lessons about friendship and discovering one’s own identity.
Make Sure to See Our Quick Talk with Director Kevin Munroe
The movie and the recently-released PlayStation 4 game both tell the same story, but certain events in one shed light on gaps and motivations in the other. While experiencing both gives you a full picture of the story, those who don’t want to play the game will be able to follow along with the plot of the movie just fine. That said, there are some strange transitions and massive leaps in logic that knowing the game kept me from getting lost a couple of times. Saying that, reviewers who are not video game players will hit them on this in their reviews.
Also missing from the movie are the odd array of weapons and gadgets that added so much fun and personality to the games. Also the tone of the characters on the big as been pulled back a ton. If this was done to get in an even younger audience, it lowers the value at times for the hard core fan, and even, at times, the adult who got “take the kids to the movie” duty.
On the topic of the adult who got the job to take the kids to the movies – the flick’s attempt to strike a kid-friendly balance on the big screen, often makes it too shallow for the average adult movie goer. Adding jokes and situations which have deeper meaning that the adults will get is important to be both successful at the box office and add enjoyment for all ages. This is not the voice actors fault, the script does not have the needed depth to appeal on different levels to kids and adults.
Another vital miss for the non gamer was an origin story for Ratchet. While we get a little of his back-story revealed towards the end, it wasn’t enough. Ratchet is not Batman, the audience could have use five minutes at the start to get to know him better.
The voice acting is strong across the board. From James Arnold Taylor and David Kaye who’ve portrayed the main characters for the past decade, to guest spots by folks like Paul Giamatti, Rosario Dawson, Sylvester Stallone, and John Goodman.
Ratchet and Clank is not a bad movie like way too many of the downright-terrible video game adaptations of the past. At the same time it lacks the humor, action, and sense of adventure of the games too many times. The movie is ultimately a competent but could have been so much more to both fans of the videos and adult cartoon fans.
Rating
2.5 Stars Out of 5
Release Date: April 29, 2016 (USA)
MPAA Rating: [ PG ]
Directors: Kevin Munroe, Jericca Cleland
Screenplay: Kevin Munroe, T.J. Fixman, Kim Dent Wilder<
Produced by: Lorraine Cruden, Kylie Ellis, Brad Foxhoven, and David Wohl
Cast: James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Paul Giamatti, Rosario Dawson, Sylvester Stallone, John Goodman
