I should note that in most cases, the movie version of a video game had at least a better story. Take Mortal Kombat for instance, or Super Mario Bros (that one's a bit debatable due to how much it sucked). In this case, however, the movie story actually isn't as good as the game version! I was especially appalled when I learned that Chris Roberts directed this piece. The man must have been smoking some heavy crack while he read over the script.

I'll admit the movie had some interesting plot aspects to it, like the stealing of the navigation 'black box' at the start. However, this curious plot element was not followed up in any intelligent manner. The fighters in general looked markedly different from the ones in the game, and in my opinion don't look half as intimidating. Kilrathi ships also look fragile and clumsy, though they are supposed to act tough and agile. The Tiger's Claw was oddly cramped for an attack carrier, looking more like a submarine than a starship from the inside. I suppose it's an interesting change of ship design, but it doesn't follow anything in the games.

Now, about that plot. This was the real strength of the Wing Commander product line and what made the last few installments in the game series especially fun. The Kilrathi really seemed brilliant, diabolical, and cruel. They didn't just rampage around like your typical alien invader, but hunted human captives for sport, disintegrated prisoners of war, stole Terran warships and used them to ambush whole fleets, and even pretended to be defeated so as to rebuild their huge navy. They were unique villains that made you feel like a patriot whenever you blew one away. Here, they are about as interesting as the little colored blobs you zap in Space Invaders.

Everywhere but in the movie, Wing Commander characters were well developed and each had a unique and often humoring personality. Not so here, where the humans are basically a bunch of fighter jocks looking to stick a few more kills on their Rapiers. The most interesting (read: least 2-D) character was 'Angel' Devereaux, who in my opinion is the only act deserving any credit. Maniac was supposed to be a snobby, annoying cur (and was hilarious for that), but is a pretty-boy sentimental wreck in the movie. Others of the Tiger's Claw wing that were well developed elsewhere were hardly even seen in the movie. The Kilrathi are completely undeveloped. You barely even SEE one of them, let alone get a sense of who or what they are.

On the note of the Kilrathi- they are supposed to be scary! Terran marines are terrified of going up against them in close combat, because they're huge and have big teeth and claws. The wimps you see in that action scene (and by the way, pilots aren't supposed to act as shock troops) don't do them justice. I think their house cat ancestors would have been more frightening.

All right, so there has to be a reason for my not flat-lining this production. That would be the graphics. While they aren't up to the standard of what ILM produces, the folks at Digital Anvil have done a pretty fine job for their first theater production. The torpedo battles were especially cool. In fact, they were probably the only thing I liked about the movie. The only thing that had me scratching my head is- didn't the Tiger's Claw have guns in addition to torpedo launchers? Funny that it seems like it's the only capital ship lacking those.

The bottom line is, this is a renter, if even that. Don't waste any money on it, unless you are really itching for some sappy space drama.

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The actors are very good. Matthew Lillard really gets on ones nerves and Jürgen Prochnow gets another chance to play a naval captain. (Greetings from Das Boot!).

All in all, the movie is fun. Every SciFi fan should watch this film.

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