With video game adaptations becoming increasingly popular in recent years, Prime Video's Secret level got especially creative with the subgenre by producing an anthology series with many successful titles. Having already been part of a game adaptation earlier this year, Ariana Greenblatt and Kevin Hart appeared in Secret levelwhich helped offset his cinematic disappointment, Borders. After appearing in popular projects like Avengers: Infinity War and AshokaGreenblatt's career really took off when she secured a major role in 2023's highest-grossing film, Barbieand his profile has continued to grow since then.
On the other hand, Kevin Hart has been a big name for years and adds a lot of humor and personality to every project he works on. Despite the duo's talent, the long-awaited video game film was underwhelming to say the least, as Borders It broke Rotten Tomatoes records and currently has a 10% Tomatometer score. While its audience score makes for a slightly better reading, it's still far from the live-action project that longtime fans of the franchise were hoping for. However, Secret level already gave Greenblatt and Hart the redemption they needed just a few months later.
Secret Level is a better video game adaptation for Greenblatt and Hart than Borderlands
Prime Video's animated show does a much better job with its source material than Borderlands
After Borders failed to reach its mark, Secret level emerged and was a much better game fit for Hart and Greenblatt. THE Borders The film's decision to change several aspects of the video game drastically hurt the project, as it seemed to take convenient parts of the source material while ignoring everything else. Many of the actors didn't resemble their game counterparts – both physically and personality-wise – while the overall story felt more like a story. Guardians of the Galaxy– adventure inspired than anything Borders-related, resulting in poor reception.
In contrast, Secret level found favorable reviews. While some episodes deviated from the game they were based on, they did so in an original way that can at least be admired, even if it wasn't to everyone's taste. However, other stories were very accurate to the world and characters of their respective games, helping them to flourish and receive admiration from fans. With much more creativity and personality, Secret level season 1 has already left a better legacy than 2024 Bordersand it is by far a better fitin which Hart and Greenblatt played an important role.
Hart & Greenblatt's Secret Level Episodes Still Faced Some Problems
Hart's PlayStation episode and Greenblatt's Spelunky story have shortcomings
While Secret level offered Greenblatt and Hart the video game adaptation success they were looking for in 2024, both episodes still faced some problems. Greenblatt played Ana in Secret level episode 12, titled “Spelunky: Tally”. The story follows Ana sailing Cavingis constantly changing levels, dying repeatedly as she becomes frustrated at not being able to reach the end. While there were a lot of cool visuals and a touching message, Greenblatt Caving episode suffered from being shortwhich denied him the opportunity to make the most of his character.
The bond between Ana and her mentor Liz was healthy, but it could have benefited from being a little longer. Likewise, the time spent inside CavingThe levels were more of a montage and it would have been better to explore these dangerous caves and their environment in more detail. Interestingly, Kevin Hart's role didn't face the same problems; instead, his story suffered from the show's publicity. The actor starred alongside his daughter in Secret level episode 15, “Playtime: Fulfillment”, and the story focuses on a young girl who breaks her mundane cycle to find more fun and adventure through games.
Secret levelThe 2017 episode “Playtime” was clearly a love letter to PlayStation, as several iconic characters appeared, but it backfired.
Secret levelThe 2017 episode “Playtime” was clearly a love letter to PlayStation, as several iconic characters appeared, but it backfired. Fans clearly wanted to see people like Kratos and Jin Sakai in more story-driven adventures after they appeared in the trailerrather than blink-and-you'll-miss-them cameos. While the episode itself had a good premise and was executed very well, it didn't hold up to the best adaptations of the series, leaving viewers a little disappointed.
Greenblatt and Hart Reuniting for Season 2 of Secret Level Would Leave Borderlands Behind
Another secret tier appearance would help people forget Borderlands' flaws
Shortly after the conclusion of season 1 Secret level was renewed for a second season, giving Greenblatt and Hart the perfect chance to put Borders behind them. Although none of them had the perfect episode in their Secret level debuts, the two did a good job portraying their respective characters, and having the duo return for season 2 would be ideal. While the series will likely bring in some new faces, especially since many of the series' characters were modeled after their voice actors, there's no reason the duo couldn't return and play different roles.
All 15 episodes of the first season of Secret Level are now available to watch on Prime Video.
Hart and Greenblatt had good chemistry in Bordersso giving them the chance to work together in the same episode would be the perfect redemption. Hearing them both shine in a more positive adaptation would make them Borders deficiencies seem more like a blip, and if Secret level season two can find the right match and story for the duo, there's no doubt they're both capable of delivering memorable performances that will make the show's next outing even more exciting.