Ratchet and Clank, Sony Playstations foundation game series is 14 years old this year. 2016 see’s not only the game remade for the new generation but its film adaptation hitting the big screen. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and more.
Ratchet and Clank joins a long list of game to film adaptations. Over the years, we have seen many video game adaptations trying to burst onto the blockbuster scene. We have had the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia and Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, all mostly coming in the form of action-packed, shoot ‘em up adventures. Very rarely do we see them come as an animation. Appealing to the younger audiences but adults too with its humour and ability to never take itself too seriously.
Ratchet (James Arnold Taylor) always knew he was different but he never let it bother him from fitting in. All he ever wanted was to join his superhero idols, The Galactic Rangers. When an opening becomes available he readily applies for a position but is turned away.
Ratchet, never being one to give up that easily soon becomes close allies with Clank. They discover the evil alien; Chairman Drek (Paul Giamatti) and his evil scientist Victor Von Ion (Sylvester Stallone) have a dangerous weapon in their possession, one that can destroy the planets that make up the Solana Galaxy.
This origin story explains how Ratchet met his robot sidekick, Clank – for anyone who remembers, Clank has a striking resemblance to the Smash Robots from the adverts that went out in the 80’s. This isn’t the only thing about Ratchet and Clank that has a throwback feel. Whilst the CGI is OK it could be better, visually it just lacks that crisp polished finish you get from the players who have been in the animation game for a while.
In order to save the galaxy from total oblivion Ratchet and Clank join forces with the egotistical Galaxy rangers, who at every given opportunity like to strike a pose and puff out their over inflated ego’s making them number one contenders for Instagram fame. Most importantly this is a story of a young Ratchet finding himself, coming to terms with his own identity and the importance of friendship in the face of adversity.
Ratchet and Clank is out in Cinemas April 29.