# Doom

> 2005 film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak

**Wikidata**: [Q755523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q755523)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/doom

## Summary
Doom is a 2005 science fiction action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, based on the popular video game series of the same name. The movie stars Karl Urban and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as space marines investigating a research facility on Mars that has been overrun by genetically enhanced killing creatures.

## Key Facts
- Release date: October 21, 2005 (United States)
- Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
- Writers: David Callaham, Wesley Strick
- Based on: Doom video game series by id Software
- Production companies: Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures
- Budget: $60 million
- Box office: $56.2 million worldwide
- Runtime: 113 minutes
- Genre: Science fiction, action, horror
- Rating: R (MPAA)
- Main cast: Karl Urban, Dwayne Johnson, Rosamund Pike, Razaaq Adoti, Richard Brake
- Filming locations: Prague, Czech Republic
- Music: Clint Mansell
- Cinematography: Tony Pierce-Roberts
- Editing: Derek Brechin
- Distributed by: Universal Pictures

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Doom?**
The film follows a group of space marines sent to investigate a research facility on Mars after a distress call. They discover that the facility has been overrun by genetically enhanced killing creatures created from a Martian chromosome experiment gone wrong. The marines must fight their way through the facility while uncovering the dark secrets behind the experiments.

**How does the movie differ from the video game?**
While the film maintains the basic premise of marines fighting monsters on Mars, it significantly alters the source material. The movie replaces the demonic elements from the games with a science fiction explanation involving genetic experimentation. The iconic first-person shooter perspective from the games is only briefly featured in one extended sequence near the end of the film.

**What was the critical reception of Doom?**
The film received largely negative reviews from critics, holding a 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 141 reviews. Critics particularly panned the film's deviation from the source material, weak plot, and poor character development. However, some praised the action sequences and the first-person shooter sequence as an homage to the games.

**Who are the main characters in the movie?**
The main characters include John "Reaper" Grimm (Karl Urban), a marine investigating the facility; Sarge (Dwayne Johnson), the squad leader; Samantha Grimm (Rosamund Pike), Reaper's sister and a scientist at the facility; and various other marines including The Kid, Goat, Duke, Portman, and Mac.

## Why It Matters
Doom represents one of the earliest major Hollywood attempts to adapt a first-person shooter video game into a feature film. Despite its poor critical reception, the movie is notable for attempting to capture the visceral, action-packed experience of the source material in a cinematic format. The film's production coincided with the growing mainstream acceptance of video games as a legitimate entertainment medium worthy of adaptation. Its commercial performance, while not a major success, demonstrated both the potential and challenges of translating interactive gaming experiences to passive film viewing. The movie also helped establish Dwayne Johnson as a leading action star, coming during his transition from professional wrestling to mainstream Hollywood.

## Notable For
- One of the first major film adaptations of a first-person shooter video game
- Features an extended first-person shooter sequence as an homage to the source material
- Stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in one of his early leading film roles
- Filmed entirely in Prague, Czech Republic
- Features practical creature effects rather than relying solely on CGI
- Represents a significant departure from the demonic themes of the original games
- Budgeted at $60 million, making it a high-profile video game adaptation for its time
- Received a R rating for strong violence/gore and language
- Features music by acclaimed composer Clint Mansell
- Part of a wave of video game adaptations in the early 2000s

## Body

### Production and Development
The film adaptation of Doom was in development for several years before production began. Universal Pictures acquired the rights to adapt the popular video game franchise, with Lorenzo di Bonaventura serving as producer. The project went through multiple script revisions, with David Callaham writing the initial screenplay and Wesley Strick performing rewrites. Andrzej Bartkowiak, known for directing action films like "Romeo Must Die" and "Exit Wounds," was hired to direct the project.

### Casting and Characters
The film features an ensemble cast led by Karl Urban as John "Reaper" Grimm, the protagonist who serves as the audience's entry point into the story. Dwayne Johnson was cast as Sarge, the squad leader, marking one of his first major leading roles after establishing himself in professional wrestling. Rosamund Pike, relatively unknown at the time, was cast as Samantha Grimm, Reaper's sister and a scientist at the research facility. The supporting cast includes Razaaq Adoti, Richard Brake, Al Weaver, Dexter Fletcher, Brian Steele, and Deobia Oparei as various members of the marine squad and the creatures they encounter.

### Filming and Production Design
Principal photography took place in Prague, Czech Republic, with production designer Stephen Altman creating the Mars research facility sets. The film utilized a combination of practical creature effects and CGI to bring the monsters to life. Stan Winston Studio, known for their work on films like "Aliens" and "Jurassic Park," was responsible for designing and creating the practical creature suits. The production aimed to create a dark, claustrophobic atmosphere reminiscent of the video game's industrial environments.

### Music and Sound Design
Clint Mansell, known for his work on films like "Requiem for a Dream" and "Black Swan," composed the musical score for Doom. The soundtrack blends electronic and orchestral elements to create a tense, aggressive soundscape that complements the film's action sequences. The sound design team worked to create distinctive audio signatures for the various creatures and weapons, drawing inspiration from the video game's iconic sound effects while adapting them for a cinematic experience.

### Release and Marketing
Universal Pictures handled the distribution of Doom, with the film premiering on October 21, 2005, in the United States. The marketing campaign emphasized the film's connection to the popular video game franchise while highlighting its star power with Karl Urban and Dwayne Johnson. Promotional materials featured imagery of the creatures and action sequences, though the marketing notably downplayed the film's significant deviations from the source material's demonic themes.

### Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Doom received predominantly negative reviews from critics who criticized its deviation from the source material, weak plot, and poor character development. The film holds a 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 34/100 score on Metacritic. However, some critics and audiences praised the action sequences and the first-person shooter sequence as an effective homage to the games.

Despite its poor critical reception, Doom has maintained a cult following among fans of the video game franchise and action-horror enthusiasts. The film's commercial performance was modest, grossing $56.2 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. While not considered a successful adaptation by most standards, Doom remains a notable entry in the history of video game film adaptations and helped establish Dwayne Johnson as a viable action star in Hollywood.

### Video Game Connection
The film adaptation makes several nods to the original video game series while significantly altering key elements. Most notably, the movie replaces the demonic invasion from Hell that characterizes the games with a science fiction explanation involving Martian genetic experimentation. This change was made to appeal to a broader audience and avoid potential religious controversies. The film does include an extended first-person shooter sequence near the end, which serves as a direct homage to the gameplay style of the original Doom games. This sequence was praised by some critics and fans as the film's most successful element in capturing the spirit of the source material.

### Technical Specifications
The film was shot using traditional 35mm film cameras with anamorphic lenses to create a widescreen aspect ratio. Cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts employed dark, moody lighting schemes to create the oppressive atmosphere of the Mars facility. The creature effects combined practical suits with CGI enhancements, with multiple creature designs representing different stages of genetic mutation. The visual effects were handled by several companies, with Double Negative contributing significant CGI work for the more complex creature sequences and environmental effects.

### Distribution and Home Media
Following its theatrical run, Doom was released on DVD and VHS on February 7, 2006, by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The DVD release included special features such as behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and commentary tracks. The film has since been released on Blu-ray and various digital platforms, maintaining availability for home viewing audiences. The home media releases have helped sustain the film's cult following and provided additional revenue beyond its theatrical performance.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. Letterboxd
3. The Movie Database
4. Doom. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419706/releaseinfo/)
7. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film5251_doom.html)
8. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419706/parentalguide)
9. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0419706/)
10. Kinopoisk
11. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/doom/)
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14. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/113945)
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