Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness - A Thrilling Animated Adventure Beyond Fan Base
Dive into the action-packed animated series inspired by the iconic Resident Evil franchise. While the military drama elements feel dated, the series delivers gripping plot twists and exciting zombie encounters that captivate a broad audience.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness draws heavily from classic military blockbuster tropes, featuring dialogue that may feel outdated to modern viewers. However, it compensates with dynamic and well-executed action sequences that keep audiences engaged.
Released on Netflix, this animated series is essentially a feature-length film split into four compelling episodes. Set between the events of the fourth and fifth Resident Evil video games, it expands the franchise’s rich universe.
The story follows federal agent Leon Scott Kennedy, a key figure in the series, who arrives at the White House to assist in investigating a breach of classified presidential files. His mission is abruptly interrupted by a sudden zombie outbreak.
Meanwhile, Claire Redfield, another pivotal character, is in the war-torn republic of Penamstan, still recovering from a civil war six years prior. She stumbles upon a drawing made by a boy who survived a massacre, depicting victims affected by a virus turning humans into the undead. Claire soon uncovers connections between the events in Penamstan, a recent cyberattack, and a possible government conspiracy.
Classic Military Drama with Unexpected Narrative Depth
Resident Evil has evolved into a vast pop culture phenomenon, transcending its video game origins. To date, the franchise boasts six live-action films starring Milla Jovovich and three animated features. Netflix has also announced a live-action series and a cinematic reboot by different creators, expanding the universe further.
Given the franchise’s complexity, not all viewers will delve deeply into its lore. The key question is whether Infinite Darkness appeals beyond dedicated gamers and fans.
Expectations vary: seasoned film enthusiasts might find the series reminiscent of well-known military blockbusters like Apocalypse Now, Platoon, and Black Hawk Down. The inclusion of a war veteran suffering from PTSD and stereotypical lines such as “Rest in peace, freaks!” or “Let’s see what this beauty can do” evoke a bygone era. Additionally, the portrayal of US military involvement in Middle Eastern regions feels somewhat outdated and disconnected from current geopolitical realities.
Despite these clichés, the storyline surprises with clever plot twists and a nonlinear narrative structure. The main twist reshapes the audience’s perception of certain characters, eliciting genuine empathy.
Memorable and Dangerous Zombies with a Unique Twist
Resident Evil is renowned for its strong social commentary, tackling themes such as unchecked corporate greed and covert support of terrorism. Central to the franchise’s identity, however, are the zombies—far more agile and threatening than the traditional walkers popularized by George Romero. The series also showcases bizarre mutated creatures, ranging from infected dogs to plant-based monsters.
The standard zombies in Infinite Darkness resemble their video game counterparts but lack distinctiveness. Compared to modern zombie portrayals such as Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, they may not surprise contemporary viewers.
However, the creators excelled in depicting zombie rats, which emerge in a gruesome manner reminiscent of the xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. Towards the climax, the heroes encounter one of the franchise’s most iconic creatures, delighting longtime fans with a nostalgic nod.
Impressive CGI Animation and Energetic Action
Although promoted as anime, Infinite Darkness primarily shares its production roots with Japanese creators but features significant American involvement, including voice actors from the Resident Evil 2 remake portraying Leon and Claire.
The animation quality is commendable; while character movements occasionally appear stiff, facial expressions are rendered with remarkable detail and emotional depth, especially in close-ups.
The action scenes stand out for their inventiveness and entertainment value. Realism takes a backseat as Leon shoots zombies over his shoulder without looking—and still hits his targets! This stylized approach aligns with the game’s spirit, offering viewers thrilling and exaggerated sequences that embrace the franchise’s over-the-top nature.
Setting aside the two-decade-old military drama style, Infinite Darkness can entertain even those unfamiliar with the Resident Evil universe. For a richer experience, viewers are encouraged to explore background material or watch YouTube videos covering the series’ history before diving in.
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