Uncharted

Every explorer has a story. For Nathan Drake, his dream of being a treasure hunter started at a very young age. Nathan has always had a love for ancient history. He and his brother, Sam, would sometimes find themselves in some hot water breaking into places, even stealing historic artifacts. In fact, Nathan and Sam have had their eyes on a museum carrying the first drawn map of the world? Why? Well because it happens to be a map from Magellan, the man who sailed around the world for the very first time.

After an unsuccessful attempt at acquiring the map, Sam and Nathan are arrested and brought back to the orphanage they are living at. The officer states that this is Sam’s third strike and he’s going to jail. Refusing to head to jail, Sam quietly escapes out his bedroom window, but not without promising Nathan that he will return someday.

Flash-forward many years later, Nathan works as part bartender/part pickpocket extraordinaire, when a strange man, Victor “Sully” Sullivan, notices Nathan’s “less than reputable” skills and offers him the opportunity of a lifetime: help him find Magellan’s hidden treasure. Of course, Nathan jumps at the opportunity. They aren’t the only ones after the treasure though….

Nathan and Sully are about to embark on an truly “uncharted” adventure.

Since we’re dealing with a film that enjoys history so much, history has not been kind to video games that have become films. Of the top of my head, “Assassins Creed” comes to my mind, followed by “Warcraft,” and then there are others that all you’d have to do is Google and you’d could find another 50 or more with rotten scores on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Of course there are exceptions, such as “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” but the emphasis here is the word EXCEPTION.

For “Uncharted” however, the film falls in either category. It’s neither spectacular nor is it repulsive, it’s just there. For those of us who have played the Uncharted games (I’ve played all of them), characters and scenarios from past games make their way into the “Uncharted” film, which makes me wonder, how much of this film is original and how much is just made from borrowed parts? (and yes, I know, some critics have stated that Uncharted, itself, is a series that is a watered down version of Indiana Jones).

Okay, please hear me out. Yes, this film appeals to the Uncharted video game fans like myself and if you’re paying close attention there are some fun “easter eggs” hidden in the film. However, if you are creating a true prequel to the Uncharted games, ensure that you create a film that appeals to all audiences: both the fans and those who might be new to the Uncharted universe. Speaking of appealing to new audiences…

Tom Holland’s performance of Nathan Drake was relatively okay. Nathan, in the games, had this adult, rough, yet also charismatic nature to him. When I see Tom Holland as Nathan, I still see him as the young Spider-Man from the Marvel films. I don’t think casting him was the right choice. However, Mark Whalberg’s portrayal of Sully was spot on (although he started off with a Western accent at the beginning of the film, then lost the accent about a quarter way into the film, which made me scratch my head a little). Antonio Banderas portrays the main protagonist in the film, Moncada, fairly well, albeit with a few awkward moments where he looked like he was trying a little too hard. Other elements such as pacing, cinematography, and effects are fairly strong in this film.

Objectionable Content

VIOLENCE: There are plenty of fight sequences in the film (mostly bloodless) where people are either killed or knocked unconscious. Scenes involve different types of guns, knives, swords, darts and a cannon. Violent action scenes include a person having their throat slit. People are shot and pushed off a flying ship. People are thrown out of a helicopter. Two characters are seen trapped underwater. A character is seen dangling from some crates that are hanging on to the back of an open cargo plane. Arrows almost hit a character. A character is thrown against a wall. A character is seen fighting some security guards. There are a couple foot and car chase sequences. A character is killed off screen. A character has liquor bottles smashed onto their head during a fight. Someone is thrown through a glass case. A helicopter crashes with someone inside. A large object lands on someone, killing them.

VULGARITY: F**k (1), Sh*t (27), Cr*p (3), P*ss off (1), S*ck (1), S*cks (2), Son of a b*tch (3), B*stards (1), A** (5), Wise-a** (1), “What are you, high?” (1), (innuendo?) “Kitty Got Wet” is the name of bar Nathan tends

PROFANITY: J*sus (3), Jeez is also used once, Oh my G*d (8), G*d (3), Oh for God's sakes (1), H*ll (12), D*mn (3), H*ly Sh*t (7)

SEXUAL CONTENT/DIALOG: There are some moments involving sexual innuendo. Two characters share a bedroom (though we never see them have sleep together or have sex, it is clear one of the characters clearly has a crush on the other one so not much is left to the imagination). In a sexual sarcasm when Braddock (Tati Gabrielle) squeezes her thighs around a man’s neck, she asks if he misses that. A drink is called “Sex on the Beach.” Someone mentions someone else having the Tinder app.

NUDITY: Woman in a bikini top. There are women in cleavage and back-revealing dresses. A shirtless male is shown exercising, later we see the same male shirtless.

DRUGS: Someone smokes a cigarette. Someone takes a cigar.

ALCOHOL: Nate is a bartender and is seen serving drinks in a couple of scenes. Other characters are seen drinking in a few other scenes.

OTHER: Sam and Nate, at the beginning of the film, break into a museum and are arrested (Sam avoids going to jail by escaping out a window while gathering his things).

Lessons

Throughout the adventure, Nate, Sully and one other character that tags along with them, Chloe, all acknowledge that it is hard to trust anyone these days, especially with how deceitful and deceiving people can possibly be.

It’s a sad lens to look at the world through, for sure. Many times this lens is based on experience. Trust is something that can be easily gained, yet when it’s lost, so hard to REGAIN.

It’s comforting to know that we can always put our faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ to be there for His regenerate followers whenever we need Him.

“Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” —Hebrews 13:5 LSB

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” —Jeremiah 17:7-8

Trusting God, however, means finding peace in whatever His plan and his decisions are, even if they go against our desires.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? —Matthew 6:25

Closing Thoughts

“Uncharted” has good intentions going in. It really tries to stand on its own as a film in an attempt to reignite a series that has been dormant for some time. There are moments in the film that are humorous, moments that excite, and moments that cringe.

The moments that cringe are what concern me, and it’s not simply the violence. It’s the exceeding amount of profanity, partial nudity, and some off-colored moments that bother me as well.

IF we were to put the content aside, “Uncharted” would be a decent watch on a streaming service. As it stands though, I do not recommend it for viewing by Christians. It’s definitely not for children.

• Violence: Heavy to Very Heavy
• Vulgar/Crude language: Very Heavy
• Profane language: Heavy
• Sex: Moderate
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate
• Nudity: Mild to Moderate

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

• Positive
• Neutral