by Ben Miller
It should come as no surprise that director Zach Cregger knows how to blend horror and comedy together successfully. Even when taking a piece of well-established IP such as Resident Evil, the director delivers a thrilling blend of fun and entertainment in a way only he can.
While this film serves as a reboot of the franchise, the spirit of the games in well intact. Characters reference the Umbrella Corporation, while Racoon City is one of the main settings. It might be a big idea, but Cregger keeps everything pretty small-scale. This is a story about one guy attempting to survive and the little people he comes in contact with. It's not about the overarching story, or even with any recognizable characters. It's just the character-driven story, which is a nice change of pace for a video game movie...
Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier who makes his final delivery of the night. Just before he leaves, he is asked to deliver another medical bag of the upmost importance to Racoon City General Hospital. Despite not having the right car for the snowy trip, he takes the bag and heads into limited visibility. Bryan accidentally hits a pedestrian in the road, and while she is still alive, she acts very strangely.
The chaotic arrival of a local police officer leads to events spirling out of control. Bryan attempts to seek shelter at a farmhouse when his car breaks down. When Bryan comes in contact with the residents, he soon realizes something much more insane is going on in the world. Still assuming the bag contains a vital organ for someone in need, he makes his way towards Racoon City as circumstances become more and more deranged and violent.
This is a Resident Evil movie, so things get a little out of hand when it comes to monsters and zombies. At the same time, Bryan doesn't have any idea what is going on, so the audience doesn't get much of an explanation either. He's just trying to fulfill his task of delivering the package, so that's his mission. Why any of this is happening, who is responsible, and what is going to be done is superfluous.
As much as the creepy and horror-filled things keep happening to Bryan, the film never veers too far away from humor. It's not a winking humor, but more of a coping mechanism that makes the audience laugh. The film still has a healthy dose of self-awareness, with references to video game guns a running joke about padlocks. While I would personally classify the film as fun, entertaining is probably the more appropriate descriptor.
The film is filled with action, gory visuals, tension, and snappy dialogue to cut some of that tension. This all works because Cregger knows what he has in Abrams. While the character isn't the most fleshed-out, Abrams characterization and understanding of the tone is exactly what the film needs. He has the ability to be physically capable when the time calls for it, but he is also preposterously overwhelmed and exasperated. I don't know how many times Abrams screams in high-pitched confusion, but it was way north of a dozen times.
There isn't much notable cast to speak of outside of Abrams. Kali Reis, Zach Cherry, and Paul Walter Hauser provide interesting cameo diversions, but they are more bait and switch than actual people to follow. You assume their relative fame would buy them screentime, but you would be wrong. The creatures and their various incarnations are the draw. Some look like regular zombies, some are deformed amalgamations of dozens of people, while others turn into snake hands. It's quite the visual all around.
Cregger bathes the film in low, but visible light, lending an increasingly eerie quality as the film progresses. Some scenes are lit by little more than a cell phone flashlight, while other times shadows are deployed purposefully. As entertaining as the film can be, it is still very creepy at times. The film also transitions to a first-person POV, emulating the early gameplay. This is a trick not used often, and it is deployed smartly each time.
Resident Evil is certifiably creepy, but it's a great time at the movies. If you are looking for an action-packed, fun-filled creature feature with plenty of gore in around 90 minutes, there are few choices better.