The latest installment in the Resident Evil film series marks a significant improvement, finally delivering a movie that lives up to the beloved video game franchise. Directed by Zach Cregger, who recently garnered acclaim for his work on Weapons, this re-reboot stands as the best entry in the zombie-themed saga to date.
In this film, we follow Bryan, portrayed by Austin Abrams, an organ courier facing a treacherous night while making a high-stakes delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital in Colorado. As he navigates a perilous icy road, Bryan encounters a mysterious woman dressed in a summer outfit and barefoot, leading to a fateful accident. When the sheriff, played by Johnno Wilson, arrives on the scene, Bryan makes a critical decision to have the officer transport the injured woman, only to watch as the police car veers off the road.
Each scene unfolds like a complex puzzle for Bryan to navigate, reminiscent of a video game experience. Seeking assistance at a nearby farm, he is pursued by a guard dog and must escape by climbing into a barn loft. In a moment of folly, he discards the ladder he used to climb up, realizing too late he needs it to descend.
The film’s settings feel meticulously crafted, resembling a video game environment as Bryan discovers a hunting rifle and scours drawers for ammunition. As a typical game protagonist, he upgrades his arsenal from the sheriff’s handgun to the rifle and then to an automatic weapon. However, his attempts at marksmanship lead to a humorous failure when he amusingly declares, “I suck at guns!” after missing a padlock from mere feet away.
Cregger’s comedic roots shine through in the film, particularly in Abrams’ portrayal of a hapless character unprepared for the chaos around him. The humor is evident in moments of banter with an Umbrella Corporation scientist, played by Paul Walter Hauser, as they nervously debate whether to abandon their armed escort after she disappears around a corner while firing her weapon. This interplay of human incompetence adds a layer of humor, even as it teeters on the edge of a classic “Idiot Plot.”
While Cregger’s involvement may appear to be a straightforward paycheck gig, he invests considerable talent into this adaptation, ensuring that viewers feel rewarded rather than cheated by the film’s zombie antics. Though it would be easy to claim that Cregger has resuscitated this franchise, I prefer to acknowledge his efforts for what they are. Perhaps he might even breathe new life into the Insidious series if time allows.
Resident Evil
Starring Austin Abrams. Directed by Zach Cregger. Written by Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten, based on the Capcom video game series. Rated R.
