Resident Evil: Death Island is the fourth CGI movie in the Resident Evil series, making it the fifth overall CGI project. It serves as a direct sequel to Resident Evil: Vendetta and is, by all accounts, a completely self-aware piece of fan service. While many fans might have been wary of it after the disaster that was Vendetta, I'm happy to report that Death Island is actually a surprisingly good time.
The Story:
Resident Evil: Death Island takes place prior to the events of Resident Evil VII and shortly after Resident Evil: Vendetta. For those who saw the previous movie, this one opens with Leon getting into a high-octane motorcycle chase with one of the major antagonists who actually escaped in Vendetta. It’s a flashy, over-the-top scene that might not make much sense to newcomers, but it effectively showcases Leon’s goofy side.
After the chase, the movie switches over to Jill, who has finally returned to duty after the events of Resident Evil 5, and her team as they investigate a reported zombie attack. Jill discovers the family has indeed been killed and manages to fight off the infected inside, but her reckless actions only end up angering Chris, who is still afraid of losing her again. The whole situation is strange, however, as the residents seemingly turned into zombies all on their own.
Jumping over to our other main character, Claire, we see her investigating a washed-up whale with a massive bite taken out of it. It appears to be from a shark, but at the same time, it’s a bit bigger than expected. Suspecting it might be the work of a bio-weapon, Claire reaches out to her brother Chris and meets up with both him and Jill to see what the BSAA thinks about the situation. Along with Rebecca, the group looks into what is going on, and they quickly realize that both the whale incident and the random house of zombies all have a connection: the prison island of Alcatraz.
Realizing that the family had visited the island, and that the whale came from the same waters, the group decides to head off to investigate. While Jill, Chris, and Claire take to the front lines, Rebecca stays back to develop an antivirus for this seemingly new strain of virus. Upon arriving at the island, the group quickly finds themselves amidst yet another zombie outbreak, and thus begins their latest horror survival experience. Needless to say, Leon eventually makes it to the island as well, ensuring the story ultimately culminates in an all-star fight to the finish.
Fan Service Galore:
The core appeal of Resident Evil: Death Island lies in its dedication to long-time fans. The movie fully expects you to be familiar with the franchise's lore, offering direct answers to lingering questions, such as Jill's whereabouts since Resident Evil 5. Chris also references his partner from Resident Evil 6, again relying on viewers' prior knowledge. There are no introductions for these iconic characters; the film assumes you know them as series leads, and Leon's role is a direct continuation from Vendetta.
Further references abound, including nods to Raccoon City, the government's past responses to outbreaks, and various plot points originating from Resident Evil 5 and 6. Resident Evil Revelations 2 is also woven into the main story, primarily expanding on concepts introduced in the first two CGI movies. This truly is a film for existing fans.
With all that said, the fan service truly makes for a good time. It's cheesy at points, but frankly, it wouldn't be Resident Evil if it wasn't! The movie does a great job of giving each character a moment in the spotlight. However, with such a large group of characters, there isn't enough time to fully develop all of them. In this case, Jill rightly gets the most screen time, and she certainly deserves it. Leon and Claire have been the stars of two movies and a "TV" series by this point, even sharing the lead role with Chris and Rebecca in Vendetta. Jill, on the other hand, has been conspicuously absent for over a decade, making this her much-anticipated return to the spotlight. The filmmakers handled her reintroduction quite nicely, and the result is another CGI Resident Evil movie actually worth watching.
Is it a bit rushed in places? Sure. Is it the greatest movie ever made? Not at all. Did I have a smile on my face nearly the entire time? You bet I did!
Should you watch it?
If you are a Resident Evil fan and have yet to see this movie, what are you waiting for? Death Island is a fun experience from start to finish, and it heavily relies on everything existing fans love about the series. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it is great finally seeing this entire cast together. The CGI is topnotch, music is fitting, and there were a few "jump" scares thrown in as well. It is more of an action movie than anything else, but it captures what makes Resident Evil, well, Resident Evil. You will not regret checking this one out.
As for everyone else? Honestly, go watch Degeneration. It isn't the start of the Resident Evil story, but it’s a much more self contained. It is a story that can be followed without knowing the source material, and it is quite a fun ride as well! The CGI is a bit dated by today's standards, but it is still worth watching.
VERDICT: Recommended
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