Quartile rating: 5/10 · 1 rating
A team of space marines known as the Rapid Response Tactical Squad, led by Sarge, is sent to a science facility on Mars after somebody reports a security breach. There, they learn that the alert came after a test subject, a mass murderer purposefully injected with alien DNA, broke free and began killing people. Dr. Grimm, who is related to team member Reaper, informs them all that the chromosome can mutate humans into monsters -- and is highly infectious.
Doom (2005) is a fairly by-the-numbers video game adaptation that fails to capture much of what made the source material compelling. The plot is generic sci-fi horror with stock characters and predictable beats borrowed from Aliens and similar films. Acting is largely unremarkable across the board, with Dwayne Johnson doing serviceable work as the villain but most others phoning it in. Cinematography gets a slight bump for the inventive first-person shooter sequence midway through, which is a genuinely fun gimmick that briefly captures the video game feel. However, novelty is low overall — despite that one creative sequence, the film is derivative of better sci-fi horror films. The ending is weak and unsatisfying, resolving conflict through a rushed and unearned final confrontation.