Ignoring Doom 2005 this film serves as a reboot with basically the same plot. For those who are not familiar with Doom, Doom: Annihilation is a film about a group of UAC Special Marines who are on mission responding to an urgent call. Their destination is a secret base where scientific experiments are conducted. This secret base has been taken over by “zombie-like” demons who want to take over the world and bring hell to everyone on Earth.
While the film does carry a very similar plot to DOOM (2005), for this reboot, we have more characters, all with minimal introduction. The dialogue between the elite marines is cringed worthy, and it didn’t take long me to be disappointed in the film’s characters. These are the type of Marines who sit at a dinner table wondering if someone looked at their belongings while they were in hypersleep, or even make jokes about underwear. I also found myself feeling dissatisfied as I watched Marines argue with one another, and some of them even running away, leaving the crew on their own. The film; however, enjoys focusing on Lieutenant Joan Dark (Amy Manson) who is the one character given any real back story and purpose in the movie. All other marks are merely forgettable, and audiences will find themselves not investing to see whether most characters survive the new threat.
To the film’s credit, I did feel the director and writer are trying to make a solid Doom film to please gaming fans. There also many nods to the Doom video games which should appeal to fans. These include characters having to use the required card keys to get into rooms, enemies who throw fireballs, use of maps and general tech including the famous weapon “The BFG”.
The film’s CGI effects, sets and props aren’t that bad, but I feel they could have been better if the film had been given a larger budget. As I expected, Doom Annihilation is a dark looking film, but it’s also quite a bland looking film for the most part. I found myself struggling to enjoy the action at times as I couldn’t understand what was going on during most of the attacks. If a marine got axed, I even struggled to work out who died and who is remaining.
Where Doom Annihilation has the best visuals, and overall enjoyment is right in the film’s final act. Unfortunately, many Doom fans (including myself) will have found themselves checked out by this point in the movie. It’s a shame, because once again, I feel this ending was done to try and please fans and be honourable to the gaming series.
Overall, I can feel this film’s heart and desires to please many Doom fans. While some minor elements are pleasing, its plot, bland visuals and characters are not. By the time the film does carry any enjoyment during its final act, I feel the audiences will have already checked out before witnessing the film’s final true Doom moments. Also, the fact this film has the subtitle “Annihilation” is just crazy. Anywho remember the Mortal Kombat franchise will recall that its second film also had the same subtitle in 1997!
2.0/10
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