Review of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), directed by Johannes Roberts, is a reimagining of the iconic Resident Evil video game series, attempting to return to the source material after the long-running, action-heavy film adaptations led by Paul W.S. Anderson. Rather than continuing the storyline of the previous film series, Welcome to Raccoon City attempts a more faithful adaptation of the first two games in the Resident Evil franchise, Resident Evil (1996) and Resident Evil 2 (1998), by sticking closely to the plot, characters, and environments that fans of the games will recognize. The film follows a group of survivors trapped in the mysterious and zombie-infested Raccoon City, as they uncover dark secrets behind the deadly outbreaks.

Despite offering a more direct adaptation, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City received a mixed reception from critics and audiences. While some praised its efforts to remain faithful to the games, others criticized its pacing, lack of character development, and overall execution. This review will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of the film, examining how it stands as an adaptation, its narrative choices, and its attempt to reinvigorate the Resident Evil franchise on the big screen.

Plot and Structure

The film is set in 1998, focusing on Raccoon City, a once-thriving town that has been taken over by the Umbrella Corporation. This corporation is responsible for the outbreak of a deadly virus that turns people into zombies and monstrous creatures. At the heart of the story are two groups of characters: one consisting of the police officers of the Raccoon City Police Department (RPD), and the other made up of former Umbrella Corporation employees and scientists who know about the company’s darkest secrets.

The film begins with Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario) returning to Raccoon City, after having been separated from her brother Chris Redfield (Robbie Amell) for years. Claire, having escaped the city once before, is determined to expose Umbrella’s crimes and the sinister secrets behind the outbreak. As the virus begins to spread throughout the city, Claire reconnects with Chris, as well as with several RPD officers, including Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia), Jill Valentine (Hannah John-Kamen), and Brad Vickers (Nathan Dales). They are soon confronted with waves of zombies, as well as terrifying mutated creatures from the Umbrella Corporation’s experiments.

As the survivors navigate the city, they slowly uncover the horrifying truth about the outbreak and its ties to the Umbrella Corporation’s nefarious experiments, all while struggling to survive the nightmarish horror that has taken over their city. The film weaves together elements from both the first Resident Evil game, with its exploration of the Spencer Mansion, and Resident Evil 2, which focuses on the outbreak in Raccoon City and the efforts of its survivors to escape.

The film’s structure alternates between action sequences and character-driven moments, trying to balance horror, survival, and suspense with necessary exposition about the characters and their motivations. Unfortunately, the pacing of the film can feel uneven at times. The early portions are slow, and while the film attempts to build tension and develop the characters, the narrative sometimes lacks the necessary urgency, making the story feel flat at points.

Characters and Performances

Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario)

Claire Redfield, played by Kaya Scodelario, is one of the core protagonists in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. In the games, Claire is a strong-willed character with a deep sense of loyalty, and Scodelario’s portrayal of Claire tries to capture that spirit. While Scodelario brings a gritty determination to the role, her performance sometimes falls flat due to the lack of emotional depth in the script. The character’s backstory, motivations, and emotional arc are rushed, making it hard for the audience to fully connect with her or understand her personal stakes in the story. This is especially problematic for a character like Claire, who plays a crucial role in the overall Resident Evil universe.

While Scodelario captures Claire’s resourcefulness and will to survive, the character’s emotional journey is underdeveloped, and much of her dialogue is either expository or filled with cliches. This results in a portrayal that lacks the depth and complexity fans have come to expect from the character in the games.

Chris Redfield (Robbie Amell)

Robbie Amell plays Chris Redfield, Claire’s older brother, who is a skilled RPD officer and one of the game series’ most iconic characters. Amell’s performance is serviceable, and he does what is needed in terms of bringing Chris’s bravery and loyalty to the screen. However, Chris’s arc in the film feels relatively underwhelming compared to his portrayal in the games. His motivations for getting involved in the fight against Umbrella are not fully explained, and his relationship with Claire could have been explored more deeply.

One of the film’s biggest shortcomings is the lack of character development, which affects Chris in particular. The film rushes through important backstory elements, and as a result, Chris’s transformation from a by-the-book cop to a character willing to take on Umbrella’s corrupt leadership feels rushed. This leaves Amell with little to work with in terms of emotional depth, and his performance ultimately feels one-dimensional.

Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia)

Avan Jogia portrays Leon S. Kennedy, the rookie cop who is just beginning his career at the RPD when the outbreak occurs. Leon is a fan-favorite character in the Resident Evil games, known for his combination of bravery, naivety, and strong moral compass. Jogia’s portrayal of Leon in Welcome to Raccoon City leans heavily into the character’s naive and overwhelmed qualities, especially in the early part of the film. While this is an accurate reflection of Leon’s rookie status in the games, the performance sometimes comes off as one-dimensional.

Jogia’s Leon is a bit too clumsy and unconvincing as the character fans have come to know and love. The film misses the opportunity to delve into Leon’s potential as a leader and more dynamic character, choosing instead to focus on the external threats, which leaves Leon feeling more like a caricature than a fully realized character. His dialogue is often stilted and lacks the wit and charm that has made Leon such a beloved figure in the franchise.

Jill Valentine (Hannah John-Kamen)

Hannah John-Kamen’s portrayal of Jill Valentine is one of the film’s more successful characterizations. Jill is known in the Resident Evil games as a strong, intelligent, and capable figure, and John-Kamen does well in embodying those traits, even though her role in the film is more secondary compared to Claire and Leon. While the character does not get as much screen time, she is portrayed with a strong sense of authority and determination, making her one of the more likable characters in the film.

Jill’s involvement in the plot is essential, and she plays a crucial role in uncovering the secrets behind Umbrella’s experiments. However, like the other characters, Jill’s backstory and motivations are not explored in much depth, leaving her character feeling somewhat underserved.

Brad Vickers (Nathan Dales)

Nathan Dales plays Brad Vickers, the RPD helicopter pilot who makes an appearance in the film, mirroring his role in the games. While Brad is often seen as a supporting character, the film attempts to give him more focus in the context of the outbreak. His performance is fine, but the character ultimately serves as a narrative device rather than a fully fleshed-out role. Much of Brad’s character arc is tied to the survival aspect of the story, and his involvement feels more like a way to move the plot forward rather than adding depth to the story or themes.

Themes and Inspirations from the Video Games

One of the most notable elements of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is its attempt to remain faithful to the tone and atmosphere of the original Resident Evil games. The film brings the iconic Spencer Mansion from the first game to life, as well as the RPD station from Resident Evil 2. The environments are beautifully designed, with plenty of nods to the games for long-time fans to enjoy. The film also integrates many of the franchise’s famous monsters, including the Lickers and the Tyrant, who pose a significant threat to the survivors.

However, despite these efforts to stay true to the source material, the film’s exploration of themes like corporate greed, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and survival feels rushed and underdeveloped. While the film makes attempts to touch on the morally gray areas of Umbrella’s actions, these themes are not explored in any meaningful way. The world-building suffers as a result, as the audience is left with little sense of the larger ramifications of the outbreak and Umbrella’s role in it.

The horror elements in the film, while present, don’t achieve the level of tension and suspense that made the original Resident Evil games so iconic. Instead of focusing on psychological horror, the film opts for action-packed set pieces and the spectacle of the creatures. This decision sacrifices the more haunting, atmospheric elements that defined the early games in favor of high-paced action.

Visuals and Direction

Johannes Roberts’ direction is competent, but it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations of a Resident Evil adaptation. The film’s pacing is uneven, with long stretches of exposition that bog down the narrative. The horror elements are occasionally effective, but much of the film’s atmosphere is lost in favor of action scenes and creature design.

The film’s visual effects are serviceable, with the monsters and zombie makeup being some of the more standout elements. The Licker and the Tyrant, in particular, are well-realized in terms of both design and execution. The Spencer Mansion setting, too, is impressively recreated, though the lack of focus on atmosphere and suspense undermines the potential of these visuals.

Conclusion

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) is a mixed bag that offers some fan service to longtime Resident Evil game enthusiasts while failing to deliver a compelling cinematic experience. While it is a step in the right direction for a more faithful adaptation of the games compared to previous film entries, it suffers from pacing issues, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of emotional depth. The film’s reliance on action sequences and creature design often overshadows the more atmospheric horror elements that made the games iconic.

The film ultimately feels like an underwhelming attempt to reboot the franchise on the big screen. While the visuals and action are commendable, the film’s failure to fully develop its characters and explore the deeper themes of the Resident Evil universe results in a missed opportunity. While Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City may appeal to die-hard fans of the games, casual moviegoers or those unfamiliar with the franchise may find the film lacking in both tension and emotional engagement.