Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)--2/5

As much as Capcom would like to believe, the strength of the "Resident Evil" series is not its story. With a few exceptions,* the games' brief cut-scenes are mediocre-to-painfully mediocre connections between the interactivity.

"Resident Evil: Degeneration" is like a movie of strung-together cut-scenes. They deliver hammy exposition and set up action sequences. Instead of cutting to a few hours of gameplay, the film labors to deliver uninspired, poorly animated noise. A bizarre, too-long shot of a stationary truck, while two characters converse, hints at a budget crisis in this already low-budget production.

The whole thing is not worth the energy--"Degeneration" is a rehash of the eleven-year-old "Resident Evil 2." Leon and Claire must battle the same campy G-Virus mutation in an industrial setting. WilPharma in Harvardville has replaced Umbrella Corporation in Raccoon City; only the names have changed. (If nothing else, the "Resident Evil" series is an insightful look at Japan's conception of the U.S.)

"Resident Evil: Degeneration" is the canonical film fans have been asking for. The next one better have Milla Jovovich.


*"Code: Veronica's" John Woo-esque opening scene being an exception. (Watch starting at 2:10.)

Look into my dead, vacant eyes.