Bob, I think you've utterly and completely hit the nail on the head regarding video games getting made into films with the statement about "rising to the challenge." The problem with video games now is that they incorporate so many cinematic elements that making them into films is almost a step back if not standing right on the line. Back in the 16-bit (and earlier) days, the games didn't have "cinematic" elements, so there was more of a challenge involved in adapting them to the big screen. Sometimes it works, but most times not. Even then, when it works, it works because, to paraphrase what you said once before, "it has its guts ripped out" and replaced with recycled material. For example, the plot of the Mortal Kombat game doesn't lend itself all that well to a film, so its plot is replaced with that of Enter the Dragon.
Maybe we have to just accept the fact that it's entirely possible we've waited too long to adapt some of our favorite and most popular games into movies. The only video game film I'd ever get genuinely excited over is that once-hyped-but-now-revealed-as-just-a-rumored Metroid film with Ang Lee attached (of course, I'm one of those weirdos who really liked Ang Lee's version of The Hulk). Ah, well....
Maybe we have to just accept the fact that it's entirely possible we've waited too long to adapt some of our favorite and most popular games into movies. The only video game film I'd ever get genuinely excited over is that once-hyped-but-now-revealed-as-just-a-rumored Metroid film with Ang Lee attached (of course, I'm one of those weirdos who really liked Ang Lee's version of The Hulk). Ah, well....