The live-action diversifications of the Resident Evil franchise have had an actual tough time of it, huh? Paul W.S. Anderson’s six-movie tackle the collection — whereas commercially profitable — was extensively slated by followers of the video games and critics alike for diverting too distant from the tone and scope of Capcom’s supply (plus, a few of them had been simply straight up dangerous), and the 2021 reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon Metropolis, didn’t fare a lot better. Regardless of being considerably extra trustworthy to the video games, Johannes Roberts’ film was criticised for its writing and makes an attempt to cram as a lot fan-service into one film as doable.
When Netflix introduced its personal tackle Resident Evil through an eight-episode collection, followers had been understandably sceptical that the streaming juggernaut may pull off what Anderson and Roberts did not do. Not solely that, however preliminary particulars on the collection set off alarm bells instantly: a collection specializing in the daughters of Albert Wesker? What? It didn’t sound promising, notably when show-runners would later promise that the collection would tie in with the sport collection’ canon.
Having now watched all the collection (in close to sufficient one sitting — phew), we are able to now affirm that Resident Evil on Netflix isn’t fairly the catastrophe that many had been fearing it to be. However it isn’t good, both — removed from it. It’s a commendable try to interrupt away from the core narrative of the sport collection in a means that is smart for newcomers (principally), however on the similar time it tries desperately to please long-time followers of the franchise, in the end failing to nail down its audience.
In a nutshell, the collection takes place throughout two separate time durations: 2022 and 2036. In 2022, Albert Wesker and his two daughters, Jade and Billie, arrive at New Raccoon Metropolis to start out a brand new life. In fact, the evil Umbrella Company — run by the delightfully creepy Evelyn Marcus — reigns supreme over the city and certain sufficient, chaos quickly ensues and plunges Jade, Billie, and sure, even Albert, into stark hazard. In 2036, in the meantime, the world has fallen to the lethal T-Virus and monsters are roaming the land. Jade, separated from her sister Billie, tries desperately to discover a treatment for the virus and shield her daughter, Bea.
The core premise right here is admittedly fairly cool, notably if you happen to mentally detach your self from the narrative of the sport franchise. There’s sufficient right here, in idea, to attract in newcomers whereas maintaining long-time followers entertained, however sadly this Resident Evil squanders a lot of its potential and proves itself to be a convoluted mess that focuses an excessive amount of on the household drama surrounding the Weskers and never sufficient on the franchise staple: the monsters. Sure, we all know Wesker’s carried out some stuff. We’re speaking in regards to the flesh-eating ones.
Certainly, for a lot of its runtime, Resident Evil feels very very similar to a young-adult drama wrapped up within the visible type of Capcom’s traditional franchise. It’s a disgrace, as a result of there are some actually cool moments and callbacks sprinkled all through: Billie taking part in ‘Moonlight Sonata’ on the piano, a mercenary proclaiming himself to be the “Grasp of Unlocking”, video footage from 1998 showcasing the tragic determine of Lisa Trevor. It’s all carried out reasonably effectively on a scene-by-scene foundation, however for the reason that present spends a lot time on the teenage angst of its main protagonists, these moments lose any potential affect and make for a bizarre juxtaposition in opposition to the general tone of the collection.
Maybe the worst sin dedicated by Resident Evil, nevertheless, is the easy proven fact that a number of the franchise’s most iconic monsters simply don’t get their likelihood to shine. Zombies (referred to as ‘Zeroes’ right here) understandably play a outstanding position all through, and we additionally get to see Zombie Canine, Lickers, Big Tarantulas, Dr. Salvador, and even a Tyrant. The issue, although, is that none of them are afforded any important display screen time. The Lickers come and go within the blink of a watch, and it’s apparent Netflix is saving the Tyrant itself for Season Two (if certainly it goes forward with it). It’s irritating, as a result of they’ve carried out an incredible job of creating the monsters look trustworthy to their online game counterparts, however we simply don’t see sufficient of them.
On the flip facet, we’ve to present credit score to Lance Reddick, who performs Albert Wesker splendidly from begin to end. Simply while you begin to get on his facet and root for him, he flips and showcases an depth that would solely be reserved for Resident Evil’s most iconic villain. His presence, given the obvious hyperlink to the video games’ canon, is complicated at first, however the clarification offered across the midway level did nearly sufficient to persuade us of its validity, even when it’s a bit corny.
In the end, Netflix’s Resident Evil is one more misfire on the earth of live-action diversifications. In making an attempt to please each newcomers and longtime followers, it simply doesn’t stick the touchdown in any respect. The callbacks to iconic moments from the video games are actually cool for veterans, however accomplish little greater than muddy the waters for newcomers to the franchise. On the flip-side, the present’s insistence on breaking away from the overarching narrative of the video games implies that veterans are going to return away from this sense crestfallen and, frankly, confused.
It is likely to be time to throw within the towel and simply settle for that we’re by no means going to get a very nice live-action Resident Evil.
Have you ever watched Resident Evil on Netflix but? What do you make of it? Tell us with a remark!
