After six films spanning over 15 years, the Resident Evil film franchise, spearheaded by writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson and star Milla Jovovich reached their designated “Final Chapter”, the decision was made to hit the reset button and bring the franchise back to its initial video games roots. Moving away from Anderson’s distinct hyperkinetic visual aesthetic, over-the-top action and wild creative liberties for a more grounded throwback to the look and feel of the first two games. This time, director Johannes Roberts, known for thrilling genre entries such as 47 Meters Down and The Strangers: Prey at Night, takes the reigns, emphasizing the more claustrophobic, survival horror aspects of the games. While Welcome to Raccoon City may not reach its fullest potential, it a faithful adaptation to the games and an effective throwback to 90’s-era genre flicks.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is an incredibly faithful adaptation of the video games, and translates well to the big-screen. Combining both the claustrophobic horrors of the Mansion-set first game, to the survival-based horror of the second game set in the Racoon City Police station and throughout the city. We’re introduced to the classic set of characters with Kaya Scodelario and Robbie Amell as Claire and Chris Redfield. Claire’s just returned to the largely desolate remains of Raccoon City, her home town, to reunite with her estranged brother. With most of the townsfolk long gone due to the sinister Umbrella Corporation, the last remaining citizens of Raccoon City are either locals too poor to leave, or employees of Umbrella. Through a source online, Claire learns of Umbrella’s villainous plot that includes poisoning the remaining townsfolk and their plans to nuke the city. Chris is an officer of Raccoon City PD, joined by Jill Valentine (Hannah John-Kamen), Albert Wesker (Tom Hopper), rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia), and their captain (a hysterical Donal Logue, channeling Mike Lindell-levels of coke-fueled energy). While Claire is stuck in the police station with Leon Kennedy, Chris, Jill,= and Wesker are on the outskirts of town, responding to a mysterious situation in the infamous Spencer Mansion.
Johannes Roberts vividly recaptures the tone and essence of the first two Resident Evil games. Utilizing his adoration for John Carpenter, Roberts maximizes the widescreen frame to pull off an effective blend of frights and atmosphere. Alongside DP Maxime Alexandre (Crawl, The Hills Have Eyes), Roberts gives the look of the first two games a sense of place that feels tactile. The recreation of Spencer Mansion and the RCPD building will have fans excited over the most nuanced of details, especially with how Roberts uses the space to build up a tangible atmosphere.
The use of practical effects helps give authenticity to the aesthetic of 90’s horror, of which Roberts is clearly going for. The filmmaker’s cheeky sensibilities come through in some of the films best sequences. An exuberant one-r set inside of a car amidst a chaotic scene set to Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” proves Roberts can keep the dark tone consistent, while still infusing humor in the right moments.
In adapting not just one, but two games in one film, Welcome to Raccoon City does feel like it bites off more than it can chew in the final act. The climactic showdown does feel rushed and the pace moves at such a brisk pace, the action sequences aren’t given enough time apart from each other, beginning to eventually bleed together. While Roberts does go for a 90’s horror aesthetic, with it, he brings one of the worst aspects of the era in some stiff dialogue and overt exposition that, while attempting to homage top-tier John Carpenters, occasionally feels more like Escape From LA-era Carpenter.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City does well in its ambitions, understanding the video games its based on and how to adapt the best features to the big-screen. This is an occasionally frightening, action-packed adventure that’s among the very best video games adaptations.
I’m very excited to see this being a huge Resident Evil fan even though all of the past films have been terrible! I’m glad they are somewhat sticking to the video game lore this time around.
Silent Hill wasn’t a bad movie.