In 1996, Capcom released the video game Resident Evil, which quickly became an international sensation. Its detailed storyline and thrilling zombie-killing gameplay set it apart from the competition. After George A. Romero’s original film adaptation fell through, P. W. S. Anderson brought the game to the big screen in a popular film starring Milla Jovovich. The movie was a box office hit and inspired five sequels, a short-lived Netflix series, and an unsuccessful reboot. Altogether, the franchise has generated more than a billion dollars in revenue. Now, Constantin Film is once again trying to prove that you cannot keep a good zombie down with its latest reboot. With Hollywood horror director Zach Cregger attached, expectations are spreading faster than the T-virus for a fresh, iconic take on the famous story.
Bryan is having a rough day. His girlfriend is unexpectedly pregnant, he is running late delivering a medical package for his job as a medial courier, and now he is tempted to brave harsh winter conditions for a nice pay day to deliver another important package. Things go from rough to catastrophic when Bryan drives into an apocalyptic situation. A disease has ripped through the town of Racoon City, and Bryan holds the key to the cure. Bryan must navigate monsters, both human and genetically altered, before the virus goes viral.
Resident Evil begins with a typically fantastic Cregger-style slow burn, with great shot selection and a plot that grabs the audience’s attention. Quicker than a mutated virus, Cregger loses the viewers as the film slips into a very basic video game style race against time that lacks both tension and enthusiasm. Austin Abrams does a decent job attempting to carry the film, but the mind-boggling lack of dialog makes Milla Jovovich’s performance look like Ingrid Bergman. At minimum, a Resident Evil film should be a popcorn puncher that entertains. This installment is more stale than a rice cake that has been sitting in Racoon City for over a decade. Scream Score: 5/10