The Underrated 36% RT Video Game Adaptation Even Movie Masterpieces Could Learn From

The Resident Evil movie was the first adaptation of the enormously successful video game franchise, but while audiences gave it good reviews, it was critically panned. The Resident Evil movie franchise did not get any better, but after 24 years, the first Resident Evil movie is better than expected on a rewatch, with details that movie masterpieces could learn from.

The Resident Evil movies are getting a reboot, which could redeem the entire franchise, especially if Barbarian director Zach Cregger is at the helm, as he looks set to be. While the movies have generally been box office successes, they have mostly been disappointing. That said, while the Resident Evil movies are difficult to get right, they have flashes of greatness that should be repeated.

Resident Evil Polarized Audiences And Critics

When the Resident Evil movie first screened in 2002, it was a critical flop, with the celebrated critic Roger Ebert giving it a single star, and describing the zombie movement as "the lurching shuffle of a drunk trying to skate through urped Slurpees to the men’s room." It fared little better with Rotten Tomatoes critics, who gave it a 36% positive rating.

However, the movie was a fun crowd-pleaser, with Rotten Tomatoes audiences giving it a much better 67% positive score. It may not be an intelligent cinematic masterpiece, but the movie featured some tiny but chilling scenes, like the initial "floating zombie" moment before the action truly kicks in, and shockingly inventive gore, like the deadly laser grid, which later games then referenced.

Resident Evil's Sequel Set-Up Was Better Than Some Horror Movie Masterpieces

The later movies in the Resident Evil timeline have a lot of action but comparatively little horror. However, the original movie was packed with horror, even before the zombies started appearing. The early scene with the workers trapped in the lift was pure nightmare fuel, and the end scene perfectly set up a sequel in a way that horror masterpieces could learn from.

The vast majority of the first Resident Evil movie was claustrophobic, taking place in the hive. However, in the final scene, Alice escapes, arming herself with discarded clothing and weaponry. Rather than show the apocalypse that we already know has happened, the final shot slowly zooms out, wordlessly revealing the aftermath and setting up the next movie with one click of Alice's gun.

Many great horror movies use the story setup as a reason to include plenty of gore and jump scares. However, rather than closely following Alice as she tackles the zombies outside the hive, the final scene dramatically changes the tone and scale of the movie. Tiny details like newspaper headlines and blood running down buildings do a better job of showing what Alice faces next.

The Resident Evil Movie Suffered By Comparison To The Video Game

The main issue with the franchise is that the Resident Evil movies are not faithful to the games. This instantly divided the audience, as fans of the game were disappointed by a movie that bore little connection to the beloved franchise. That said, the original Resident Evil movie is extremely underrated if watched in its own right, with no connection to the video game.

The Resident Evil reboot already sounds more exciting than Milla Jovovich's franchise by capturing the spirit of the game. Unlike Alice's limitless strength, a major feature in the game is the constantly low ammo and health, so the reboot may use the characters' desperation to build tension. If so, the next Resident Evil may benefit from comparison to the game rather than suffering from it.

Source: Roger Ebert