Ben-DutkaIs anybody else sensing some serious out-of-touch bitterness from the movie industry? Like, they have a distinct yet irrational animosity towards an industry that routinely smacks them upside the head?
We all know about Roger Ebert's "games can't be art" argument (which he has since recanted, in a manner of speaking), but now, another film bigwig has decided to incur the wrath of gamers everywhere. Movie maker Mike Newell is well known for the "Harry Potter" movies, as well as "Four Weddings & A Funeral," "Donnie Brasco," "Mona Lisa Smile," and his most recent, "Prince of Persia." But during a recent interview with CVG , Newell basically flipped out when approached with the subject: "Well, here we are, talking about the goddamn games again." He admits they're a threat to Hollywood but certainly doesn't believe they can do "drama in any real sense."
"You can't do it without the human drama. And the video game cannot do that. The video game can do all sorts of face-pulling, all sorts of: 'I am a bad man, I have a mean jagged sword,', but it can't do any more than that. [The Prince Of Persia movie] does not mean to put two fingers up to the gamers or insult them – but it's not the game. It can't be the game.
Don't get me wrong – I watched the game and took many things from it. But I haven't had the experience of feeling in a game. The one thing I do not do when I watch my son mow down Brazilians by the regiment – nor when I watched my assistants playing Prince Of Persia – I don't feel anything, which is why I hate my son doing it."
Of course, he admits to not having played Heavy Rain or any other assortment of games that don't involve the theme, "I am a bad man, I have a mean jagged sword." Sadly for him, most all gamers living in the current age will see these comments as a man who still believes this is 1990 and all games are exactly the same, and incapable of operating on a "human" level. …that's too bad. Because now he's gonna hear about his mistake. We won't bother; he'll get it from both game makers and game players the world over.
And he deserves it.
"You can't do it without the human drama. And the video game cannot do that. The video game can do all sorts of face-pulling, all sorts of: 'I am a bad man, I have a mean jagged sword,', but it can't do any more than that."
I have seen a lot out of Hollywood that could not do any more then that either. The only thing Hollywood has done with any enthusiasm is rip story and characters from games, books and comics. And from that there are only a few Directors with the drive and passion to use that material to make something compelling and entertaining….. He, sadly, is not one of them. As far as I'm concerned both industries are fairly equal at this point and the only thing you really have to decide is interactive experience or a passive experience…. and there is a time and place for both.
Key statement found "I watched." Clearly if I had simply "watched" a video game being played I would'nt feel anything… That's why I PLAY them. Mike Newell can eat a choice word or several.
Last edited by Sol on 7/30/2010 1:21:58 AM
Still showin' off that Fortune Hunter treasure page, eh, Mr. Badguy? 😉
Hahaha yet Mike Newell will be the first guy begging Sony to direct Uncharted the movie!!what a douche!
honestly pick up the controller Mike and stop hiding behind your camera
I think he's just mad that Prince Of Persia sucked.
I think the more these guys make comments like this the better it is for games. Developers will no doubt be listening and try to prove them wrong
You want human drama? Get on any MMORPG, there are tons of human drama everywhere!
What about Pixar movie?
It's just a "pulled face" character
Yet we still call it a movie … and a Pixar movie, definitely can do human drama, doesnt it?
Uh-oh, don't tell Kratos…Actually he's a demi-god, but still…