Moviegoers get to return to Raccoon City this weekend with the release of Resident Evil, the second reboot and eighth film in total in the popular video game movie franchise. Zach Cregger, known for the horror films Barbarian and Weapons, helms this latest adaptation of the Capcom video game IP, and it marks the first film since 2001’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. That film left a bit of a bad taste in the mouths of critics and fans alike, but Cregger’s credentials behind the camera and as a fairly recent prolific voice in horror have made many breathe a sigh of relief as the opening of this film approaches. Even though there have been some concerns regarding Cregger’s approach, which is an original film set in the Resident Evil universe rather than a direct copy of the video game, there seems to be faith in what he’s doing. Now, with the social media embargo recently being lifted, the first reactions are pouring in for Resident Evil, and now it’s time to see if it’s just more of the same or if this is one of the best adaptations of the IP to date.
What Are The First Reactions Saying?
First reactions to Zach Cregger’s take on Resident Evil have been stellar as they come trickling in. Many are calling the film relentless and a movie that never hits the brakes once it gets going. Many are crediting Cregger’s skills as a director, with some saying it’s his best film to date and that he’s crafted one of the best video game adaptations so far. Also, for those worried about the film not featuring recognizable characters or storylines from the games, early word indicates that Cregger taps into the intensity of the source material and, in doing so, has delivered the best take on the IP to date. The film also appears to be a bloody good time, with some comparing the creature effects to John Carpenter’s The Thing, and while Cregger said he did cut some of the film’s humor, early reactions suggest that there is still humor in the movie, but just enough to disarm the audience for the mayhem that’s to come. As far as the film’s lead, Austin Abrams is getting kudos across the board for keeping up with all of the insanity that’s going on around him. This one appears to be a winner! You can check out more of the first reactions below!
What Is Resident Evil About?
Written by Cregger and Shay Hattan, Resident Evil is set during events that parallel the Resident Evil 2 video game, although set in modern times, and it follows a medical courier named Bryan (Austin Abrams), who finds himself fighting through a viral outbreak of infected monsters in Raccoon City. The film also stars Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Even though Cregger has publicly stated that he had never watched the previous Resident Evil films, he did want to craft a movie that ran in lockstep with one of the games, in this case, Resident Evil 2, but still function as its own story. Cregger said, “I wanted to construct a story that could live in the world of Resident Evil and be maybe on the periphery of the events of Resident Evil 2, where Raccoon City is having its big night, but tell another story that could be happening in parallel to that that really honors the vibe and the pacing that you get when you play the games.”
Resident Evil is shaping up to be the first big hit of the fall, with pre-sales and tracking indicating the biggest opening of the franchise at between $ 50 and $ 60 million. Given the film’s $80 million budget, that would be a fantastic start and what could be the beginning of the next life for this popular franchise.
Resident Evil hits screens nationwide this Friday.
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