Doom (2005) Review

Doom (2005)

Doom follows John Grimm, a member of the RRTS, led by a man named Sarge, who is sent to a science facility on Mars to contain a security breach that left several scientists dead, only to discover that some have been infected with superhuman alien DNA. 

The story of Doom’s first attempt at making the transition from video game to blockbuster action flick is one all about expectations. Going in, many were expecting a badass depiction of the Doom Slayer from Doom 1993, ya know, the physical embodiment of a heavy metal album brought to life (as they should). Instead what they got was a pretty standard science fiction thriller that shares some slight similarities with the source material, like names and the such, but lacking in any real distinguishing features. I’m here to say though, aside from the generacism, Doom is absolutely a cool ass movie. What’s not to love? Zombies? Yep! Mutated aliens? Check! Karl Urban and The Rock as unstoppable superhumans? Absolutely! 

Oh, and did I mention the one VERY Doom thing it gets right is a 5 minute long one-take that shifts into first person mode as Reaper mows down every manner of aliens, zombies, and any other hellish shit that comes his way? Perhaps it’s because I don’t have a super vested in Doom, only really playing the original on, but it’s impossible to deny that aside from its complete disregard of what makes Doom Doom, this is still a wonderfully zany action movie. 

We get a super redeemable cast in Al Weaver, Ben Daniels, Deobia Oparei, Dexter Fletcher, Brian Steele, Richard Brake, Razaaq Adoti, Rosamund Pike, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson,  and Karl Urban. While lacking his trademark armor, there’s never a doubt that Urban is our Doomguy, delivering a kickass performance that genuinely only gets cooler as it goes, balancing so well off The Rock, whose villainous turn is honestly really cool to catch. 

Doom, directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, is a suspenseful mix of horror and action, delivering on some crazy, uncensored gore that is raw and stomach turning while also a complete blast, feeling exactly like what it is, a ridiculously fun video game come to life. If you haven’t, give it another chance. 

8/10