Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4 recently released to phenomenal success, as well as critical reception. While every film or franchise does not need to be a critical darling to succeed, it is inarguable that Uncharted just gets so many little things right, and many a franchise could pick up a few lessons from it.
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The inspiration for the Uncharted series and Nathan Drake in particular, is derived from the classic Indiana Jones franchise and its leading man. The hunt for ancient history and artifacts, the ragtag group against overwhelming odds, and captivating action sequences are all hallmarks of Indy and have also been a mainstay in the Uncharted series.
At some point, though, the apprentice bested the master. Uncharted 4 is what many wanted Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to be, but the general perception of the project is that the film lacked a lot of that Indiana Jones magic. With an upcoming 5th entry in the franchise, along with a returning Harrison Ford in the lead role (sorry Mutt), it would be wise to pick up some tips from good ole Nathan Drake before he heads out on his next adventure.
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A Supporting Cast Worth Dying For
While Nathan Drake and Indiana Jones are at the heart of their respective adventures, you can’t go it solo all the time. In fact, not having enough of a supporting cast can work in your main characters detriment in the long run, as it gives the audience few ways to see why they should necessarily care that this person succeeds at their goal.
Indiana Jones has a history of fantastic supporting characters, like Sallah, Marcus, Marion, Short Round, Mola, and of course Henry Sr., but only one of those made it into the latest effort. While Mutt (played by Shia LaBeouf) was supposed to take the baton in many ways, it just didn’t work as the studio had hoped.
These types of characters provide two services for a lead. One: They provide the audience a clear window into why this character is important through the interactions between him or her and the rest of the group. Revelations about past experiences are what build up characters in a viewers mind without the audience having to witness each and every piece of history.
Two: The supporting players also are the best and most meaningful way to reveal character flaws. The people who know the lead the best are the ones that give the most heartfelt reactions, and allow the viewer to invest sincerely into the lead’s fate.
Indiana Jones didn’t bring its A-game in that regard the last time around, but Uncharted did in spades. In fact, the supporting characters in that franchise have become just as important in many was as Drake is. Characters like Elena and Sully, and with the latest entry Sam, are all windows into who Drake is, bot to what he excels in and what he lacks. For Indian Jones 5 to work, there needs to be a return to form with the cast in this respect. If Sallah wants a bigger role, give it to him, but a change is needed.
A Love Interest Done The Right Way
Part of Indiana Jones’ reputation is that of an adventuring ladies man so to speak. In the films, he’s had relationships/flirtations with Marion Ravenwood, Willie Scott, Elsa Schneider, and then in the latest film Ravenwood for the second time.
Bringing back Ravenwood was a promising idea, but in between films, the producers seem to have forgotten what made her so great to begin with. I get the reasoning, as she now has a son to tend to, and parenthood will change many things about an individual. That said, the team should look to Elena in Uncharted 4 as a textbook way to handle a character coming to terms with a new chapter of their life.
One of the biggest story arcs in Uncharted 4 is how Elena and Nathan are both dealing with this newfound peace in their lives. Drake gets wrapped up in Sam’s quest for the great pirate Henry Avery’s treasure, and that new life is turned upside down very quickly, but it’s how Naughty Dog depicts her realization and reaction to those events that make her stand above the rest.
Not content to sit idly by, Elena embodies a lot of Ravenwood’s core qualities. In Uncharted 4 however, the difference is she’s allowed to put those to use, as opposed to just being the connecting dots between plot points. Elena comes to terms with the matter at hand in front of you through her facial expressions and reactions to Nate, and it feels completely organic. In Indiana Jones, it just feels contrived for the plots sake, and as a result, Ravenwood feels like an afterthought, just included for nostalgia.
Don’t Forget To Let Indy Be Human
While Indiana Jones is often performing feats that most could never hope to achieve, it doesn’t mean he’s superhuman. The Crystal Skull traded some of Indy’s relatability for more CGI-laden action sequences that lacked any soul. You didn’t feel as if he could die at any moment as most of the film lacked an intensity that his previous films never struggled with.
Uncharted 4 takes Nathan Drake to a variety of far off locations and underground tunnels and caves, and even to a pirate’s utopia, but the game never forgets where the soul of its charm lies. That soul is nestled in how Drake deals with the circumstances he constantly finds himself in, and Uncharted 4 is even a more personal story than other games in the franchise.
It’s how he deals with Sam’s reappearance after 15 years. It’s how he deals with his newfound peaceful existence while the constant yearning for adventure echoes in the back of his mind. When he talks to Sully, it doesn’t feel like furthering the plot, but rather an insight into a decades-long friendship. When he speaks to Elena, the humanity in Drake becomes all too clear, and whether you disagree or agree with his actions at the time, you always somehow empathize with whatever he is going through.
That humanity was missing last time around for Mr. Jones, and finding that balance again should help Indian Jones 5 avoid the missteps of its predecessor.
I have high hopes for the next film in the franchise, and I want to see Indiana Jones return to form. Making some of these adjustments should help that come to fruition.
