Another CG movie comes down the pipe for Direct to DVD Dissection. In the wake of the new Resident Evil big budget movie from Paul WS Anderson coming out, the follow up to the DVD release RESIDENT EVIL: DEGENERATION is released. Will it stand out or get lost in the muck?
Watch Trailer Here
The Specs
Rated: R
Director: Makoto Kamiya
Running Time: 101 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: September 23rd, 2012
The Story
United States Special agent Leon S. Kennedy sneaks into a small Eastern European country to verify rumors that Bio Organic Weapons, or B.O.W’s, are being used in war. Right after his infiltration, the US government orders him to leave immediately. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the B.O.W.s.
The Cast
Matthew Mercer as Leon S. Kennedy. He also plays Leon in the upcoming game RESIDENT EVIL 6, along with doing the voices of Tygra from the new THUNDERCATS series, Stryker from MORTAL KOMBAT, and Kai from AKIRA.
Courtenay Taylor as Ada Wong. Also playing ADA in RESIDENT EVIL 6, and voiced her for the spinoff game RESIDENT EVIL: OPERATION RACOON CITY. Other credits include voicing Jack in MASS EFFECT 2 & 3, as well as various voices on the REGULAR SHOW animated series.
Robin Sachs as Ataman. Played villain Sarris in the movie GALAXY QUEST, aalong with Zaeed Massani in MASS EFFECT 2 & 3, and Ethan Rayne in the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER TV series.
Carolyn Lawrence as Ashley Graham. Played Ashley in RESIDENT EVIL 4, most notibly played Orel Puppington in MOREL OREL and Sandy Cheeks in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, and Cindy Vortex in JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS.
The Dissection
Ada Wong (Courtenay Taylor), not as helpful to Leon this time out.
After the recent release of STARSHIP TROOPERS: INVASION a few weeks ago, this movie was expected, since it was one of the trailers featured on the DVD. However, it’s not something new. As mentioned earlier, a previous movie, RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION, was a CG movie that featured an incident at an airport and involved both Leon S Kennedy and Claire Redfield, stars of the second game, investigating the incident and fighting some zombies. The DVD was apparently well received as it has lead to a sequel.
Now, this movie is different from the big budget movies released. While those movies tell their own stories, the DVD movies try to stay close to the actual source material and with the storyline from the games. This will make some fans of the games happier over it, but disappointed in others. More on that later.
Leon Kennedy (Matthew Mercer) in full battle gear.
First off, the animation looks a lot better than the animation from the first movie. There are still some strange looking motions from time to time, but it’s an overall improvement. Plus, due to the nature of the movie, the CG works with the source material and doesn’t go beyond the comfort zone of the animation, in a way. The movie also features a lot more action than the last one, and the scenes are very fluid and very interesting.
However, the big issue with the movie is that it is really all there is to it. There is a story to the movie, but it’s never really involved to the actual moments of the movie. It’s some basic structure, some nods to the source material, and some teases about the future. The movie also takes cues from the newer games, so people who weren’t happy with the transition the series has made may find some issues with the movie’s focus on action. Finally, while the story of RESIDENT EVIL may not be the most well crafted of video games, the story in the movie is silly in how it has the heroes and villains. Though, fans of Taylor’s Ada will certainly be happy with her performance here.
The movie picks up during the final act, and has some interesting stand out moments. What you think of the movie at the end will probably hang on how interested you are in the rest of the movie., Fans will probably enjoy this movie, especially those who were left unsatisfied by its big budget counterpart, but casual fans or people expecting some more survival horror moments may be left wanting more.
The Extras
The DVD has a Making-Of feature of the movie, called The DNA of Damnation, as well as a Featurette called Las Plagas: Organisms of War. The Blu Ray of the movie has that, plus game trailers, a gag reel, trailers for Sony films, and conceptual art gallery.
The Verdict
RESIDENT EVIL DAMNATION is a movie that will divide people. Fans of the series will enjoy the movie and get hyped for the upcoming game. However, people who go into the movie cold will find some bits and pieces enjoyable, but nothing beyond a viewing or two.
Rent RESIDENT EVIL DAMNATION at Redbox
http://www.redbox.com/movies/resident-evil-damnation
View RESIDENT EVIL DAMNATION on Amazon Instant
http://www.amazon.com/Resident-Evil-Damnation/dp/B009AHWLHE/ref=tmm_aiv_title_0
Buy RESIDENT EVIL DAMNATION on Amazon.com (DVD/Blu Ray)
http://www.amazon.com/Resident-Evil-Damnation-UltraViolet-Digital/dp/B008H6GH8I