Resident Evil - Review

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil sets a new standard for video game adaptations on the big screen, despite leaning towards a tone fans may be surprised by.

Directed by Zach Cregger, Running Time 1hr 37mins, Distributed by Sony Pictures

Review by Mitch Bailey

As medical courier Bryan drives through a blizzard towards Racoon City General Hospital, carrying what he believes to be another organ to its much needed recipient, there’s a sense of unease as a viewer that can’t be shaken. Fans of the video game series will already know at this point what horrors Racoon City has in store; to the casual viewer however, the dimly lit roads, unforgiving snowfall and quickly dwindling phone signal begin to give hints as to what to expect from this fairly lean in length adaptation.

Except, when our first sign of trouble stumbles from the trees directly into the path of Bryan’s car, we soon after see Zach Cregger’s intention to make his Resident Evil film a comedic, metatextual bloodbath as opposed to something more serious in tone. For the most part, it works; Bryan scoops up the casualty, who has somehow scuttled into the brush, places them in the front passenger seat, and hilariously keeps batting her arms away as she tries to touch his face. It’s unexpected, but in that moment it sets the scene for how Cregger wants his lead to interact with the world: oblivious, bags of luck in stow and bumbling his way towards his objective.

There’s no doubt that Cregger wanted this to be his most comedic film yet, and it’s a big risk. There are moments in the latter stages where characters interact with the world in a way that feels slapstick, almost cartoonish in behaviour. It’s here where I felt the film slightly loses its footing, especially occurring at such a critical part of the plot. There are equally moments throughout that without the use of comedy, we would miss out on some excellent interactions - specifically Paul Walter Hauser’s character, an Umbrella Corp representative who is bestowed the honour of explaining the ludicrous situation to Bryan.

Along the way, there’s plenty for fans with a keen eye to enjoy - first aid cans, green herbs, ammo stuffed in drawers - even padlocks, which arguably become Bryan’s worst enemy on his conquest. Cregger doesn’t just throw these elements around without care; each inclusion of an aformentioned memorable trinket fits perfectly into the narrative at the point they are introduced. It’s why there’s a strong argument to be made that Resident Evil is one of the best video game adaptations to date - it consistently harkens back to why the IP is so beloved, but finds a way to make the film stand on it’s own without relying on any prior homework.

Resident Evil is a thrilling, non stop adventure that isn’t afraid to make its own stamp on the franchise. There are moments where a slightly more grounded approach would be welcome, but for the most part it cements itself as a one of the strongest video game adaptations there is and another excellent addition to Zach Cregger’s filmography.