Whether you are a previous fan or completely new to the franchise, Resident Evil is a suspenseful and absorbing horror film best seen on a big screen.
Resident Evil is a fast-moving action-packed horror survival film filled with twists and turns which is hugely entertaining even with little or no knowledge of the previous films or the video games it is based upon.
Resident Evil is set in Raccoon City (the same city as in the video games) and starts with medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) making a delivery to a hospital. After arguing about not getting a signature for the paperwork he accepts a very important delivery to Raccoon General Hospital. On the very snowy and wintery road while talking to his girlfriend on the phone a woman walks out from the side of the road and Bryan accidentally hits her. After he finds the injured non-speaking woman in the trees next to the road, he puts her into his car to take her with him to the hospital. On the way, Bryan is pulled over by a local sheriff, Wilson (Johnno Wilson), who doesn’t believe Bryan’s story and escorts Bryan and the woman, who rides in the police car, to the hospital.
While Bryan is following behind in his car the police car runs off the road and crashes. Wilson is killed in the accident but the woman attacks Bryan and he shoots her with Wilson’s gun. Bryan sees a house and a barn nearby and after he jumps the fence is chased by a dog but Brian holds up in the barn avoiding the dog. However, escaping the barn he is forced to kill the dog after it turns into… – and so begins Bryan’s ever increasingly perilous quest to make his important delivery.
This new film is actually the second reboot and eighth overall Resident Evil film, but no prior knowledge of any of those or the games is needed to enjoy this latest incarnation. For fans of the films and the games, this film takes place in a modern era during the events paralleling the 1998 game Resident Evil 2. Also for fans there are plenty of easter eggs like searching through draws to find bullets, ever increasing sizes of weapons Bryan finds but with limited ammunition, Umbrella Corporation are involved and others. Unlike the games however, which are always suspenseful with no let up, the film contains comic moments to release a little audience tension. The foe is also different. Additionally, like a video game the film steps up on every level with increasing jeopardy.
Resident Evil is directed by Zach Cregger, who also wrote and directed the superb Weapons last year. Cregger also co-wrote the script with Shay Hatten. In Cregger’s safe hands, he has produced another riveting horror film. Austin Abrams as Bryan is in most of the scenes and he delivers an excellent performance.
Whether you are a previous fan or completely new to the franchise, Resident Evil is a suspenseful and absorbing horror film best seen on a big screen.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating 4 out of 5
Distributor: Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing Australia
