Review: Resident Evil is the fresh take this flagging franchise really needed
Director Zach Cregger's clever reboot strikes perfect balance between horror, humor, and over-the-top gore.
I was hesitant to attend the latest Resident Evil reboot for review, considering the uninspired attempt from 2021. However, director Zach Cregger's previous phenomenal film, Weapons, had garnered highly positive early word of mouth, so I decided to give it a chance. I am glad I did, as the film is truly exceptional. Cregger's unique perspective is exactly what the struggling franchise needed - a genuinely fresh take on a familiar fictional world, striking the perfect balance between horror, humor, and gore. You don't need to be a Resident Evil fan to appreciate it.
(Spoilers ahead, but we will give you a warning before any major reveals.) The original Resident Evil game, released in 1996, was an instant commercial and critical hit, leading to numerous sequels, comics, novels, and a successful film franchise directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich. Despite the films' box office success, reviews were mixed.
The 2021 reboot, Welcome to Raccoon City, received harsh criticism and struggled at the box office, earning only $42 million globally against its $25 million budget. The studio abandoned plans for a direct sequel, and a 2022 Netflix series was also canceled after a lukewarm first season.
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