As a longtime fan of the Resident Evil franchise, I know I’m not alone in saying that it has strayed from its atmospheric, survival horror roots, regardless of what medium it may be. In addition to Capcom trying to get the series back on track in the video game realm, it looks as though the upcoming CGI-animated film Resident Evil: Vendetta also aims to be a return to form.
While plot details remain a bit scarce at the moment, the footage given is more than enough to sell me on the movie. I mean, how could I not love the homage to the original game with its dark, creepy mansion teeming with zombies? The live action movies have not met my standards for the most part and I’ve found these animated offerings to be a most welcome alternative.
Vendetta’s two predecessors – Degeneration and Damnation – acted as vague prequels to some of the video games, with Degeneration having set up RE 5 and Damnation doing the same with RE 6, so it will be interesting to see how this particular film may tie into Resident Evil VII: Biohazard.
Leon S. Kennedy, who has become a staple of these animated films, makes his expected return, but many fans should also be pleased to see Chris Redfield and Rebecca Chambers, both of whom know a thing or two about zombie-infested mansions. I’m especially interested in seeing Rebecca, as she hasn’t been heard from since the events of the first video game if we’re speaking in a chronological sense.
Something else that will no doubt fuel speculation is the mysterious man in white near the end of the trailer. Bearing a strong resemblance to Albert Wesker, I can’t help but wonder if this is another one of the Wesker children. After having brought in Alex in Resident Evil: Revelations 2, it would come as no surprise if we were to meet more of the family, so to speak.
As of now, no concrete North American release date for Resident Evil: Vendetta has been given, but it will be hitting theaters in Japan this spring. While it’s possible it may be screened as a limited engagement on this side of the Pacific, we can at least take solace in knowing the flick should see a Blu-Ray and DVD release within that time frame.
