The popular Xbox game, Halo, was adapted into a live-action series on Paramount+ with a 2022 release. However, the show failed to impress many fans. While the basic premise of the game, which involves futuristic worlds and military marines fighting evil aliens to save the world, was preserved, some key changes were made in the adaptation that received a negative response. As a result, the show was heavily criticized by fans for its changes and flawed execution.
Halo Is Not Reaching Hard Enough
The biggest deviation that upset the fans was the removal of Master Chief’s helmet. While the answer to that change may be from a writing standpoint that encourages the actor to naturally act and not wander around without seeing his emotions, and to inject a new layer into the beloved character of the franchise, it still bothered die-hard fans.
There is nothing more fans hate than seeing their favorite character be butchered in any adaptation, the latest episode of the second season titled Reach manages to give Jacob Keyes a heroic but unceremonious curtain call.
There is a well-known curse when it comes to adapting video games into live action. Some of the projects that managed to escape development hell were either disappointing or flat, Halo originally had a 2015 release, it was only late for 7 more years, and by then 6 new installments were released.
The resurgence of video game adaptations was at an all-time high given the success of titles such as The Last of Us on HBO, the long-awaited Uncharted film finally came to fruition, and more upcoming projects like the Borderlands movie and Fallout TV series on Prime Video. Every studio in Hollywood wants its piece of that market.
Fans were deeply disappointed with the drastic change the showrunners have made with characters, in this case, the death of Captain Jacob Keyes. It is not uncommon for writers to come up with ideas that will differentiate the source material from an adaptation but this is a stretch too far, and an embarrassing one.
Halo Is Hurtng Longtime Fans In An Attempt To Gain New Ones
Showrunners and filmmakers fail to comprehend that the biggest supporter could also be the loudest hater, fans are like soldiers who are too loyal to the source material and can be considered purists.
Any change in background, race, and gender will guarantee an outcry of complaints which isn’t invalid from a certain point of view as they mean to advocate for accuracy. Captain Keyes was a casualty of this change.
Halo on Paramount+ is a decent adaptation of a beloved IP but continues to fumble the show with changes that tarnish the original, which hurts the fans while failing to reach a newer audience. Are you a fan of the games, the show, or both? Let us know what you think about these changes.
