Games can be an incredible tool when it comes to adding excitement to a movie. Whether the game is a small feature or inspires the whole movie. So let’s take a look at some of the more memorable games that have featured in popular movies in the last couple of decades.
Jumanji (1995)
Jumanji is an incredible story about a board game coming to life. The game itself is a main character that the whole movie is set around. When two children find the board game and play things start to turn upside down. When they start playing the game releases Alan Parish (played by Robin Williams). A boy who was trapped in the board game. He spent his childhood living in the game and is finally free. His freedom restarts the game. Alan and the two children must complete the game in order for things to go back to normal. Each roll of the dice brings another surprise which pushes the town and their house into chaos. Each challenge adds another level of excitement to the game. The high-stakes nature and fight for survival have made it a beloved classic ever since it was released back in 1995.
Casino Royale (2006)
This 2006 James Bond movie introduced Daniel Craig as the next Bond. While James Bond regularly features many gambling games throughout the franchise. However Casino Royale features one of the most iconic poker scenes in movie history. In this movie Bond goes head to head against the villainous Le Chiffre. The casino game takes place in Casino Royale in Montenegro. Bond must outplay Le Chiffre in a game of Texas Hold’em to prevent him from winning enough money to finance further activity. This scene is iconic as it displays the tension and psychology behind each move. The game is a metaphor representing the larger conflict between the two characters. Martin Campbell the director managed to draw attention to the mechanics of poker. This helped to build up an incredible amount of suspense between the two characters and the audience.
The Hunger Games (2012)
The Hunger Games is an iconic movie franchise that’s based on the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. Each movie has been inspired by a game, The Hunger Games. The first two movies feature the Hunger Games including the gaming arena where players have to compete against each other. The story is set in the future and The Hunger Games is a competition created by the Capitol. Two players from each district outside of the Capitol are forced to compete and fight for their lives. This is a competition each year. However the trilogy focuses on one protagonist Katniss Everdeen. She volunteers as a tribute for the games when her younger sister gets chosen to compete. The games present a number of different challenges that players must overcome to survive. Each player has their own tactics and strategies. The games are both a physical and mental challenge. The movie brilliantly captures the stakes of the competition. This creates an emotional roller coaster for viewers.
Rounders (1998)
Another iconic movie that surrounds the excitement of poker. Rounders starts Matt Damon who takes on the role of Mike McDermott. This character is a talented poker player. He ends up getting caught up in the world of high-stakes poker as a way to help his friend pay off his gambling debts. The movie offers an interesting perspective on poker focusing on the psychological side of poker. Tension rises as the movie goes on and McDermott gets closer to helping his friend. He ends up going against the infamous Russian mobster Teddy KGB. A more in-depth look at the strategic side of the game provides the audience with a deeper understanding of the game. This helps them to see more of what’s at stake which can make the experience more thrilling. Throughout the movie the audience is always rooting for McDermott, feeling both his wins and losses as the movie goes on. This not only adds some excitement to the game but also an emotional connection which improves the viewing experience even more.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The battle of wits is one of the most memorable scenes in The Princess Bride. This game offers another thrilling dose of life and death between the man in black and Vizzini. This iconic scene sees the man in black challenge Vizzini to choose between two cups of wine. One is poisoned and the other one is safe. Vizzini has to use his intellect to choose the safe one. This game is a very memorable moment from this iconic movie. While this game only features in a small part of the movie. It is a favorite part for many movie fans.
Tag (2018)
This movie is inspired by the classic childhood game of tag. The comedy movie follows a group of childhood friends who continue to play tag throughout their adulthood. The exciting concept of this movie was based on a true story. The game spans across years and comes up during big life events. It also goes around the world with the characters too. Each tag ups the level of the game adding a comical element to the game too. Tag is a comedy that explores themes such as friendship and time passing. The game starts off as something trivial. However it becomes something much more when the characters use it to reconnect with each other.
Games had a huge level of excitement to a movie regardless of how they are used. Whether a movie is based around a game or features a game during the movie. A game can make a movie more memorable or even add a comedic effect to the storyline. Regardless of how they are used. A game can give the audience something to root for. The chance the celebrate with the protagonist or even to commiserate a loss with too.
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