Search - Resident Evil: Degeneration [UMD for PSP] on UMD for PSP

A film that is just total fan service for "Resident Evil" vi

Dennis A. Amith (kndy) | California | 12/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Resident Evil series has become one of the top selling titles for video game company CAPCOM. Known in Japan as "Biohazard", the series has sold over 34 million games and among the series, one of the most popular titles was the 1996 Sony Playstation game "Resident Evil 2 which introduced us to the characters of Racoon City rookie police officer Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (sister of "Resident Evil 1 hero Chris Redfield).

The two were popular characters that fans enjoyed and in 2005, "Resident Evil 4 featuring Leon Kennedy became a huge hit earning "Game of the Year" by various publications.

With the popularity of the character of Leon Kennedy, how fitting was it when CAPCOM announced the reuniting of both Leon and Claire. As a fan of the video game series, I was definitely excited and couldn't wait to see the film. "resident evil: DEGENERATION" takes place seven years after "Resident Evil 2.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

Picture quality is pretty good. The film is entirely in CG and was created in Maya. The CG was well done but not as fluid as "Final Fantasy: Advent Children" but still looked very impressive. The rendered character models were just great to look at (especially at the beginning when you see the airport or even the WilPharm HQ. Both look very realistic!) and Leon, Claire and Angela Miller model renders were just very well done. If anything, there is slight jerkiness when it comes to a close up of a character and trying to make it do natural and realistic movements during a conversation. But during the action scenes, the movements were very nice and overall, the CG was very well done.

If anything, fans of the video games will more than likely enjoy these CG rendered scenes.

As for audio, the audio is featured in Dolby Digital 5.1 and during the action scenes (which there are many), sound does come alive and sounds very good on my system. Dialogue is quite clear. As for the music, the ending theme "Guilty" is by Japanese music artist ANNA TSUCHIYA.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The DVD features quite a few special features which include:

* The Generation of DEGENERATION featurette - This featurette interviews Makoto Kamiya and other CAPCOM staff and their goal with the film, why they used the actual English voice actors in terms of the motion capture (including having them learn how to hold a gun) and more behind-the-scenes footage on the creation of the film. Also, fan reaction at San Diego Comic Con.
* Character Profiles - Profiles feature a text blurb on each character and you can access a video or photography profile (from parts of the film).
* Voice Bloopers - This is more or less bloopers but not sure if it was intentionally created or if it was actual bloopers. One featured Leon Kennedy telling the others about his "fee". Quite funny to watch.
* Faux Leon Interview - I'm not quite sure what this feature was about. A man is interviewing one of the motion capture actors and the actor is talking about working with Kamiya-san and others on the film.
* Resident Evil: Degeneration Trailers - Trailers for the film
* Resident Evil: Degeneration Tokyo Game Show Trailer - Tokyo Game Show trailer
* Resident Evil 5 Special Game Footage - Promotional video for the upcoming Playstation "Resident Evil" game.
* Resident Evil 5 Game Trailers - Trailers for the upcoming Playstation 3 video game.


Let me first say that I am a big fan of the "Resident Evil" series and I own nearly all the US releases. "Resident Evil 2 really was innovative when it first was released for the Sony Playstation and was my favorite R.E. game until "Resident Evil 4 was released and that video game was just incredible.

So, that being said, watching this film had me smiling because I absolutely adore both the characters of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. How this film furthers the storyline of the two characters but also builds on certain situations that may have major ramifications for future video game releases is quite exciting.

So, with that being said, I enjoyed the film because the creators really wanted to pay homage to "Resident Evil 2 and "Resident Evil 4 video game series and its fans. But I realize that many people who are not familiar with the video game series are wondering how the context of this film is to the live-action film series featuring Mila Jovovich.

There is a relation by name and of course, the virus that turns people to zombies but really, this film was created for the fans of the video game series in mind.

Also, with this being a video game-related film, many who crave a deep storyline with character development of who is Claire and who is Leon may feel disappointed. The reason why video gamers who played the video games is that through those video game moments of playing these characters for hours, there was a vested interest.

I would assume that many viewers not familiar with the video game series won't pick up the importance of Claire or Leon to the actual "Resident Evil" storyline. In fact, some may wonder why they should care about these characters especially at the end with the politics surrounding the viruses.

So, with that being said, "resident evil: DEGENERATION" is an awesome film for those who followed the video game series. The film features plenty of non-stop action, bloody violence courtesy to the zombies and you even get a scene with blood that splatters on to the camera. But the enjoyment comes from those who had the experience of playing "Resident Evil 2 and "Resident Evil 4 and to see Claire and Leon again.

The CG looks great and there are some moments that I was just really in awe but at the same time, there are some movements that were jerky and robotic at times. But overall, the model renders were good and Leon and Claire look very good. So, the bottom line is that this film is just total fan service for "Resident Evil" video game fans. So much that I highly recommend this DVD.

For those who are not familiar with the video game series, you may enjoy it but if you are expecting a continuation of the live action films, then this DVD may not be for you. In fact, some may be disappointed because there is no strong plot for them to truly enjoy these characters especially without playing the video games. So, I can understand if they don't get into it.

Again, if you are fans of the "Resident Evil" video games, you can't help but have a smile on your face because there is now a "Resident Evil" film that was created with the RE video game fan in mind. And for that, I recommend this DVD for you!"

This is what it should be

icecap | Taipei, Taiwan | 11/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched Degeneration in NY Horror Film Festival. At first I didn't expect a lot from this movie, cause the live action trilogy is very disappointing and I just didn't dare to expect it would be good, but it is. If you're an RE fan, it's a must-see movie. You won't be disappointed. Luckily the movie doesn't focus on fighting zombies too much. It is a drama/thriller. The movie successfully combines T & G-virus storyline fans are familiar with. Although not much character development, you can enjoy the story. CG part in my opinion is not as good as Final Fantasy. Characters' facial expression is a little stiff, and their "stares" are dull. Women look like they had plastic surgery. But these are not serious problems, just the technical parts they need to improve. Degeneration story is much better than FF. After watching its premiere, I can't wait to buy the DVD."

Good Not Great and Kind of Letdown

j-rob-82 | Virginia | 01/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love Resident Evil and really enjoy the video games a lot even though I am not to much on the live action movies. With that said I was surprised that I liked this movie even though I didn't love it.

The video quality is pretty awesome in the blu ray version with pretty thing I noticed wasawesome sound. The one thing I noticed was the close up of faces are greatly detailed but from far away look like they have kind of a plastic coating or something that reminded me of Advent Children. I enjoyed certain scenes of the usually overdone slow motion, like when Leon throws Claire a handgun in the airport or Leon shooting a mutant in the face in the facility are really great. The animation is great but not really an as advanced as I hoped from when Advent Children. I did notice more vibrant colors and the flame effects are very good with fantastic lighting and rich blacks.

I was hoping for more of an open movie instead of being in claustrophobic atmospheres and Leon has too much perfect hair. Even at the end of the movie no one seemed roughed up to bad and their hair and faces remained intact unless you suffer from a case of zombiefacationism of course. Like I said earlier this movie surprised me that I enjoyed it. I wish it felt bigger and on a larger scale but the whole thing just felt small be it the amount of the immediate cast or the location. The only open part being the airport at the beginning and thank goodness they didn't make the whole thing based in the airport. The whole movie could have been a bunch of cut scenes from a video game like a new Resident Evil game and why so serious all the time Leon. I think I enjoyed this better than the current Resident Evil trilogy and wonder why this isn't the route they took instead of live action. The story doesn't feel like a movie but more part of a mini series which is why I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have by the end.

Fans of Resident Evil should watch since it is a nice inclusion and it didn't hurt the series or make it look bad. The blu ray is fantastic to show off its capabilities since it just looks so pretty even if sometimes character movements aren't always fluid and an occasional plastic texture face. Special features aren't the greatest but still nice to have and I guess they will have a special edition later. Though it is three stars for me I still enjoyed it and its a 5 star just for its picture and audio quality but that's not enough to warrant a purchase. Rent it if you love than give it a buy."

Full of clichés

Sci-fi and history reader | NJ, USA | 02/05/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The animation of this dvd is extremely well done along with the special features. The faux Leon interview is funny (and cheesy) and the other "spoofs" are clever, such as the jealous Claire. Unfortunately, these are the high points of the dvd.

The stunning animation and artwork is lost in the clichés found throughout. There is the naïve and idealistic SRT team leader, the hot headed SRT team member, a little girl in distress, corrupt and greedy politician, greedy scientist, revenge and anger filled villain who will do anything to expose the truth. Very disappointing.

The storyline takes place after the second video game, thankfully, not the horrendously written live action Resident Evil 3 movie. The storyline follows the video game world much more realistically with a new corporation taking over after Umbrella dissolves after going bankrupt from Raccoon City.

The basic storyline is an evil scientist with a politician attempt to make T virus vaccine sales, but get greedy trying to sell the T virus as a weapon to terrorists. In comes Leon to save the day and video game style, has to fight the tyrant in the finale.

What creates the low points are the incredibly cliché and stupid characters. The SRT team leader, Angela is idealistic and rushes ahead alone trying to save "victims". Despite being warned that a single bite can infect, she attempts to pick a victim up. Leon saves her the last second only to have her complain why. Leon then begins to shoot the zombies in the head, but Angela just stands their in panic mode. Even when a zombie walks towards her, she shoots it in the leg, and of course, again panics, shocked that the zombie is crawling to her.

Then Greg enters and being a hot headed macho man, shoots all the zombies with body shots. Thinking that they are "dead" he walks off, only to have the crawling zombie crash through the glass to attack him. Fortunately, Leon also shoots it in the head. Greg gets up wondering what happened, completely ignoring what Leon previously briefed both of them before insertion.

Meanwhile Claire, who survived Raccoon City is stranded in a zombie filled airport trying to protect a little girl. Of course, she has no weapon to defend herself or the little girl, unless one considers an umbrella as a weapon? But wait, Leon with the two SRT members finally arrive to the rescue and they all make a mad dash through the airport.

In the attempt to escape, the girl gets knocked down and helplessly panics as the zombies close in. Claire naturally jumps down and just hugs the girl with no weapon. Claire makes no attempt to move the girl to a safer area, or stand ready to fight the zombies. Only hug the girl protectively and wait to get bitten.

Leon, who is fighting another zombie hand to hand, tosses his pistol to Claire. Claire quickly shoots the zombies in the head. Leon, he's not disarmed, for after pushing the zombie off, he takes his back-up pistol to shoot the zombie. Yes, Leon held on to a back-up pistol while leaving Claire to run through the zombie filled airport unarmed, what? And to top off the stupidity, Claire hands the pistol back to Leon while still in the airport.

Needless to say, anyone who watches zombie movies, or played any of the Resident Evil games would go bonkers at the nonsense. Who gives up their weapon to be unarmed and unprotected against infected zombies? Everyone needs a weapon to fight off the zombies.

To top it off, Leon, the President's Special Agent, has no special body armor against bites. In real life, police who train attack dogs have full body suits to protect against dog bites. They also make Kevlar sleeves and gloves to protect against knives. One would imagine that if a special zombie fighting team was being sent in, they would be wearing chain mail, riot gear, or other bite resistant armor to protect against being infected.

Unfortunately, the script makes Claire look like an inept damsel in distress and the good guys incredibly stupid in not having better equipment or weapons. Fortunately, only rented it, would have been very upset if spent $20+ buying the movie. Eye candy doesn't make a good movie or video game. A good script does. Had high hopes and was disappointed.

"