Carl Roberts 
“Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is exactly what the fans have been craving: blood, guts, gore, violence, and a great horror movie in its own right “
The zombies have risen again. After seven films, countless games, and even a television series, Resident Evil is back. The second big-screen reboot of the classic horror franchise, this time Zach Cregger brings his version. Thankfully, he isn’t remaking anything we’ve seen before. Instead, this is a completely original tale that follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who must fight through a viral outbreak of infected monsters in Raccoon City during a delivery. It runs parallel to the events of Resident Evil 2, the classic game I’m a huge fan of (I’m constantly replaying it). But can the film breathe new life and give new blood to the long-running franchise, or should it have been left to rot in the streets of Raccoon City?
THE PREMISE
Bryan, a medical courier, is in the process of making a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital when an outbreak forces him to fight for survival.
THOUGHTS
Anyone who goes in expecting warmth, passion, a deep dive into the human psyche, and a meaningful story about the human condition…GET REAL! Of course you’re not going to get high art, a heartfelt film, and an emotional one. What you do get is the adaptation of the games we have been after for years. A full-on blood-soaked horror movie that will have you screaming into your popcorn. Many of the games have the warning before it even starts: ” This game contains graphic violence and gore.” That’s exactly what we have here: a film full to the brim of horrific violence, blood, guts, and gore. And, finally, it works wonders. Perhaps this is because the film is an original story, set alongside the events of Resident Evil 2.
Anyone hoping for more than a few nods to the events of the game and maybe even a cameo from any characters related to it is in for a disappointment. Apart from the obligatory Umbrella Corporation and Raccoon City, this stands apart from the rest of the games’ mythology. This gives the film a strength we wouldn’t have expected. Along the way, we do get some telling nods and easter eggs that will have long-time fans cheering and grinning from ear to ear. No Leon or Claire here; this is about a different character, one who takes center stage and has the film almost completely to himself. Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson, and Paul Walter Hauser appear in supporting roles that are, in reality, simple cameos along the road to the climax.
AUSTIN ABRAMS
Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier, gets all the screen time virtually to himself. Apart from a few interactions along the way, this is Abrams’ film by a country mile. The actor delivers a performance that is as funny as it is dramatic as he makes his way to deliver his package to the Raccoon City hospital. We also hear, but don’t see, about his relationship with his girlfriend, who is pregnant with his child. Although this provides an insight into what Bryan feels, it plays almost no part in what happens along the way. The way the actor adapts to his character’s circumstances is a joy to watch. One minute, he’s all cocksure before events make his journey into a horrifying one. Abrams also throws a lot into the humor that the script allows.
One sequence shows Bryan trying to climb over an electric fence to reach a farmhouse. It ends up in an amusing pratfall for the actor, one that helps lift the tension before it comes crashing down on him and the film once again. Another piece of comedic timing is actually recycled from Cregger’s Barbarian. But again, it is perfectly timed to ease the tension we feel. But we feel for Bryan; we understand what he is going through and the horror he experiences. Abrams plays his role brilliantly, making him an unlikely, reluctant hero from the very start.
ZACH CREGGER
Zach Cregger has done it. He has created a Resident Evil movie that feels like the games brought to life. Although the film runs for a tight ninety minutes, both Cregger and co-writer Shay Hatten cram a lot in. The unease we felt when we played the games is replicated here; the sense of impending doom hangs large over the proceedings, and the visual references to items that the games have are most welcome. We get to experience Bryan hunting for ammunition for his weapons; we watch as the ever-annoying padlock thwarts him at several points, and we also get a first-person scene that fans will lap up.
Cregger also gives us plenty of the obligatory jump scares, but here lies a masterstroke. Like classic horror movies and their directors, Cregger scares us with what he doesn’t show, letting our imagination fill in the blanks and scare us. When the scares finally are revealed, we expect something like them, but we don’t expect them to be the way they are. Cregger also adds an easter egg for Friday the 13th movie fans with the inclusion of the barn from Part III. This adds a knowing nod to classic horror while also allowing his story to breathe in its own right. The director also films the events brilliantly, making the snow glisten, the blood be that horrible shade of red, and the darkness consume us at every turn.
VERDICT
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is exactly what the fans have been craving: blood, guts, gore, violence, and a great horror movie in its own right. It delivers on virtually every level and then some. With a dark and ominous score from Hays and Ryan Holladay, this is what we’ve been waiting for. A bona fide version of the games brought to life on the big screen. Forget Alice and the Paul W.S. Anderson movies. Forget the Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City reboot; this really is the real deal. Real horror, frightening events, violent death, plenty of gore, and incredible vision. This opens the world of Resident Evil up to even more possibilities, more avenues to explore, and more horror to leap out of the shadows.
A SHOT IN THE ARM
With the finale set in Raccoon City’s hospital, the claustrophobic elements also come into play. Of course, you can expect a few monsters along the way, and plenty more death and gore, but it ends on a perfect note. Could Zach Cregger continue his story with a sequel if the film becomes successful? Of course he could. I, for one, would love to see where the director goes next with the franchise, should he choose to continue on.
The Resident Evil franchise needed this shot in the arm to bring it back to its best, and to finally make its mark on the cinema screen. To that end, Cregger has succeeded. An almost perfect horror film for Halloween and beyond. The movie version of the franchise has finally arrived, thanks to the fresh, original blood that it has been blessed with. Take a trip to Raccoon City; It is a worthy trip, believe me. A real horror film with plenty of bite.
Resident Evil will be in cinemas from September 18th, courtesy of Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Releasing.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
