Resident Evil: Death Island

In San Francisco, Jill Valentine is dealing with a zombie outbreak and a new T-Virus, Leon Kennedy is on the trail of a kidnapped DARPA scientist, and Claire Redfield is investigating a monstrous fish that is killing whales in the bay. Joined by Chris Redfield and Rebecca Chambers, they discover the trail of clues from their separate cases all converge on the same location, Alcatraz Island, where a new evil has taken residence and awaits their arrival.

Director Eiichirô Hasumi (Re/Member, Mozu the Movie) and writer Makoto Fukami (Psycho-Pass: The Movie, Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall) introduce Resident Evil: Death Island’s plot threads in their own style. So in short order, we get action, mystery before outright horror as Jill searches a darkened building and finds what she’s looking for.

It’s only after that we get a glimpse of the person behind it but no clues as to who he is or what his motive might be. You can, however, be pretty sure it’s linked to the film’s prolog set in Raccoon City. And speaking of links, our heroes find a common link between the T Virus victims and the dead whales, Alcatrazz Island, and the surrounding waters. That not only provides a great setting for a film like Resident Evil: Death Island, it justifies the title as well.

Resident Evil: Death Island 10Technically Resident Evil: Death Island is a very solid film. The animation and sound effects are both excellent, with the CGI quite detailed and staying smooth even in busy scenes such as when Leon and Jill find themselves fighting a pack of Lickers. And the sound mix adds an extra dimension to the many scenes in the dark tunnels under the cell blocks.

Plotwise it’s good if a bit predictable, with a new villain, Dylan Walker (Daman Mills, Golden Kamuy, Call of the Night), and a connection to Resident Evil: Vendetta via Maria Gomez (Cristina Valenzuela, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Blaze and the Monster Machines). Dylan’s motivation, while a bit different from what we’ve seen for this franchise, isn’t the most original. It also feels a bit underwhelming and confusing in its logic.

Considering this is the first time all the main characters have been together in an animated film Resident Evil: Death Island probably should have had a stronger, more ambitious antagonist. But there is still plenty of action and one hell of a final monster to keep them busy

Despite a few shortcomings, Resident Evil: Death Island is a solid entry in not just the animated franchise but the Resident Evil universe as a whole. It’s a step above Vendetta and several steps above Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. If you’re a fan of the franchise or animated horror in general you’ll want to see this one.

Resident Evil: Death Island is available on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD as well as VOD and Digital Platforms via Sony.