In 1986 the place to hang out was the video games arcade. And one of the hottest games was Midway’s Rampage.

Fast forward to 2018 for a movie adaption of the game.

Now, to be fair I was curious as to how an entire full length movie could be generated from a game where you control a select set of mutant monsters and smash buildings and eat civilians.

But Warner Bros. Pictures pulled it off and proved that bigger is badder.

Starring Dwayne Johnston (aka The Rock) as Davis Okoye, a military man turned animal saviour and Primatologist, who works at a San Diego animal reserve.

Favouring animals over people his best friend in life is George. An albino ape that he has taught sign language to.

Meanwhile, above the Earth, a genetics conglomerate called Energyne is experimenting with a weaponized version of a genetic mutation gas that, if used for good, cold have prevented illness amongst humans by re-engineering and tweaking the human genome.

Energyne CEO Claire Wyden (Malin Akerman) favoured a more nefarious means.

In the space station Athena-1 the genetic mutation experiment goes awry. One of the lab rats mutates and destroys the station. The seemingly sole survivor uses an escape pod and retrieves the gas canisters that have the mutating gas inside.

The escape pod and it’s sole inhabitant do not survive re-entry to Earth, the canisters do however, and land in varying parts of the U.S. One of those is Georges holding pen with other Apes.

Damaged from the impact the canisters begin to leak. From the San Diego Reserve through to the crocodile infested marshlands over to wolf lade prairies; we see the mutations of George, Lizzie (Crocodile) and Ralph (Wolf).

The mutation that the gas causes is not only extreme accelerated growth but also increased fury. It’s not too long until George’s personality changes from being human like to primal.

Claire, flanked by her brother Brett Wyden (Jake Lacy) at Energyne come up with the plan to harvest the genetics from the three mutated beasts and after a mercenary unit fails to catch the wolf, she sets up a high frequency signal from atop of the Energyne tower to attract the trio in to the heart of the city.

It is up to Davis and a scientist; Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) who was an engineer at Energyne and responsible for this mutating gas, to save the city… and the world.

Throw in the U.S. Government and scores of military personnel, including an ‘OGA’ (Other Government Agency) agent; Harvey Russell (Jeffery Dean Morgan) who has other interests in these creatures, the story subtly leaves it open for a sequel.

With Rampage, expect to see alot of carnage as a wide section of the city gets destroyed.

There are Easter eggs in the film for those familiar with the Arcade game and Director Brad Peyton did exceedingly well to incorporate core elements of the video game in to the action, intertwining this in to the film seamlessly.

Rampage is a big ole epic destruction flick with a cheesy ending. It pays homage to the games’ franchise while also being a totally stand alone and stand out film.

Fans of Rampage the series of games will most certainly appreciate the movie, those not familiar with the Arcade legend will equally appreciate Rampage for what it is; a Big Bad Destruction ride.

The post Rampage (Warner Bros Pictures – 2018) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NOW CLOSED – Loosely based on the arcade and console video game franchise comes Warner Bros.’ Rampage film, starring The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson.

Primatologist Davis Okoye shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment goes awry…

Rampage is now showing at New Zealand cinemas and to celebrate it’s release, Roadshow New Zealand has given STG a Rampage Prize Pack to Giveaway!

Be the ultimate Rampage film fan with a Rampage Survival Pack consisting of; a Rampage TrackPak, Key Tracker, USB powered LED lantern / Battery Pack for mobile, Rampage Tower block game, Rampage glass chemistry vials and a Double Pass to see the film.

To Enter our Rampage Film Prize Pack Giveaway, you must answer this Question Correctly:

Warner Bros.’ Rampage film is loosely based on a video game series. Although now defunct, what was the name of the studio that produced the Rampage series of games?

A: Midway Games

B: THQ

C: Atari

You can give us your Answer by placing a Comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us.

* Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question. One winner(s) will receive a Rampage themed TrackPak, Rampage themed keyring tracker, LED Lantern / portable Battery unit, Rampage themed Chemistry vials, Rampage themed Tower block game and a Double Pass to see the film. Competition ends on the 19th of April 2018. Rampage (2018) is rated M15+ in New Zealand. You MUST be over 15 years of Age to Enter this Competition – STG may check for verification / proof of Age. Ticket holders must adhere to the terms and conditions of the Double Pass. Tickets are not transferable.

The post Enter to Win a Rampage Prize Pack appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

When do you think of when you hear the word Baywatch?

Babes in skimpy bathing suits, shirtless muscly men and you can’t forget that slow motion running!

Well I have great news, you get all of the above and more. Based off the action drama series from 1989 that has since become an icon.

Set in Emerald Bay, Florida we see Mitch (Dwayne Johnson) leading his team of lifeguards as they keep the Bay safe. When it is that time to get new recruits they come across the reckless, self absorbed Matt Brody (Zac Efron), at which they are told he must be on their team.

This causes a bit of friction between these lads as they try to prove who is better, stronger and smarter but really they equally have the biggest egos.

Nothing is ever just getting a tan on the beach in this Bay, especially not when Victoria Leeds (Priyanka Chopra) is around. The team makes it their business and gets hilariously caught up in her scandal as no one else does a thing about it, they go undercover to try and bring her down before it is too late.

While this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, you have to accept it for what it is, which is a bit of silly fun. They don’t take themselves seriously so neither should you.

This first movie hits everything you could possibly expect from what we all know Baywatch to be, maybe with a bit more focus on the muscles along with some crude jokes. Not to mention a couple of cameo appearances from some familiar faces.

Baywatch is definitely one that is more for the girls in the mood for something stupidly funny!

The post Baywatch (Paramount Pictures – 2017) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.