Ratchet and Clank review: A wise-talking lombax, Ratchet, and his robot sidekick Clank, set out on an adventure to save the universe.
We take a look at the new animated movie from Lionsgate and Vertigo, which opens on April 29th, 2016. Here’s our Ratchet and Clank review from Kat Hughes.
Ratchet and Clank review
Ratchet & Clank started life as a Sony PlayStation game. Since the first game’s release in 2002, the series has grown and grown and has sold millions of copies worldwide. Given its popularity it was only a matter of time before it made the leap from console to screen, and this is the week that it arrives in cinemas.
Video-game-to-films have a bad reputation, but this is the video-game-to-film adaptation you’ve been waiting for. The plot is basically that of the original game with a few detours which only benefits in making the narrative more streamlined. The deviations also stop those that have not played the first game from getting bored.
Our story starts on Planet Veldin as we meet Ratchet, an overly enthusiastic mechanic, with big dreams of becoming a Galactic Ranger. Sadly for Ratchet, he isn’t deemed to have what it takes until he teams up with ‘defective’ robot Clank after he crash lands on Veldin. The duo then soon find themselves part of the Rangers team where jealousy threatens the safety of the universe.
Ratchet and Clank review
Fans of the games will find plenty to enjoy as the film is stuffed to bursting with references to the franchise. The planets visited throughout the story are all well known from the series and, more importantly, look just how they do in the games. There are cameos a plenty so keep your eyes peeled in the crowd scenes, and it isn’t just Ratchet and Clank characters that pop up. During an early scene between our heroes there’s a nod to other Sony heroes, Jax and Sly Raccoon. The piece-de-resistance for gamers though comes from the weaponry and gadgets, all of your favourites are here. Ratchet swings around cities with his slingshot and sneaks into places with his hologuise, whilst all the time using an array weapons from the buzz blade to the walloper. This is merely the tip of the iceberg gamers, there’s so much intertextuality buried within that it’ll take several views to spot them all. There are also a host of new characters who fit into the universe well and offer a richer first viewing for long-standing fans.
Ratchet and Clank review
The film keeps the essence and heart of the game franchise, with that tongue in cheek slightly satirical humour on display from the opening moments as we are count down to the villain of the piece revealing his plan. It also boasts an impressive vocal cast which includes Paul Giamatti, Rosario Dawson, John Goodman and Sly Stallone, but don’t worry, our heroes along with franchise running-joke Captain Quark, keep the same voices (James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye and Jim Ward) as in the games. The studios could have easily replaced the voice actors from the game with some really starry names, but the decision to keep things the same makes the film feel instantly familiar.
Ratchet and Clank review
It’s not just the story and the tone that feel like the game though, the animation is top notch too. It’s just like watching all the cut-scene in succession, that’s how accurate to the source material it is.
There’s plenty for those not already familiar with the diverse platform. The story works as an origin tale meaning no one is left struggling to catch up on who’s-who, with the whole film playing as a fun-filled space set quest movie. In a post Star Wars: The Force Awakens world, Ratchet & Clank is the perfect animation to entertain adults and kiddies alike.
Ratchet & Clank is rip-roaring space action-adventure that all the family can get on board with. A film that will delight fans of the game without alienating those not already indoctrinated.
Ratchet and Clank review by Kat Hughes, April 2016.
Ratchet & Clank releases in both the US and the UK on Friday 29th April.
