"Resident Evil" Series Review: Family Drama Takes Center Stage In The Latest "Resident Evil" Adaptation

The "Resident Evil" series is currently available on NetFlix. Like the seven movies before it, the series is based the super popular video games of the same name. The first game was released by Capcom in 1996. Full disclosure: I have not played any of the games. While the movies focused on the non cannon character of Alice, the series draws upon elements of many of the games.

The series takes place in two timelines-- 2022 and 2036. In 2022 we meet father Albert Wesker (a familiar name to "RE" fans) and his two teenage daughters Jade and Billie. IMPORTANT NOTE: This is NOT the same Albert Wesker that we saw in the "RE" movies. That guy was a villlian and pretty much a jerk. I really like this Albert (as portrayed by Lance Reddick) much better. Did they have to use the same name though? It seems a strange choice to me.

The family just relocated to New Raccoon City in South Africa because Albert works for the mysterious Umbrella Corporation. Albert's boss is Evelyn Marcus. She's a ball buster and daughter of the company's original owner. The Wesker girls arent any too happy about having to make new friends at a new school. They eventually befriend Evelyn's son Simon.

Next, in 2036, we see Jade in a post apocalyptic world. We don't know the specifics but it looks like the T virus (created by Umbrella) has almost wiped out humanity. What's left are zombies (called "zeros" here), mutated creatures (like a giant caterpillar that almost eats Jade) and different factions of humans. Jade works for a group called University (that's because their HQ is aboard the ship University). The team studies zeros in the hopes of finding a cure and reinstating society. Aboard the ship is also Jades husband Arjun and young daughter Bea.

I dont want to give away too many specifics if you havent watch the series yet. The story has lots of fun twists. We also meet Lickers, Tyrant and various other crazy creatures. You think the show is initially about zombies but family drama and the interaction/conflicts between the two sisters takes center stage as well.

Grade: 4 (out of 5 Monsters total). If you're new to the franchise or a "Resident Evil" fan, there are some fun elements in the series. IGN asserts that this is the strongest adaptation of the source material thus far-- read here I personally wouldnt go that far. I had a hard time getting into the series in the early episodes. I like the 2022 storyline with the two sisters but would have liked less time spent on it. I know they're teenagers but Jade got on my nerves at times. It also took quite a while to get to the zombies. And of course, that's why I watch these shows-- zombies. That was my major criticism of some seasons of "The Walking Dead" as well.

But good news is, with only eight episodes total, it's a super fast watch.. There has been no announcement about a season 2 yet. If it happens, count me in. When we last saw the sisters in 2022, they were (per Albert's note) on their way to Tokyo to meet another famous "RE" character-- Ada Wong.

Sadly Lance Reddick (Albert Wesker) passed away this week at the age of 60. He was an excellent actor (appearing in such things as "The Wire", "Fringe", "American Horror Story: Coven" and the "John Wick" movies to name a few). He will be sorely missed.