Which Resident Evil Movie is Canon?
The Resident Evil franchise has been popular for decades, with six live-action films and countless animated movies. But amidst all the chaos, many fans have wondered which of these movies are considered canon. Simply put, canon refers to the official, accepted version of a story or mythology, as dictated by its creators. In the world of Resident Evil, which movies can we consider official?
Live-Action Films
To start with, the live-action movies are not considered canon in the classical sense. Here’s why:
- Each movie has a unique story and plot, often without continuity with the others. For example, Resident Evil: Afterlife takes place in Raccoon City, whereas Resident Evil: Retribution ignores this setting and introduces a new world.
- None of the live-action films are directly adapted from a specific Resident Evil game, making it difficult to establish a coherent narrative thread.
Considering this, the live-action movies are often seen as separate, alternate universes or reimaginings, rather than an official chronology.
Animated Movies
Now, let’s shift our focus to the animated movies, which fare much better in terms of canon status. Here are some key points:
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008) and Resident Evil: Damnation (2012) are both canon animated movies, loosely based on the games’ storylines. They expand on the franchise’s world and characters.
- Although these movies aren’t perfect adaptations, they maintain some consistency with the games and can be considered part of the official narrative.
In summary, when it comes to Resident Evil movies:
- Resident Evil: Degeneration and Resident Evil: Damnation are considered canon, as they are both animated and part of the official narrative.
- Live-action movies are not part of the official canon due to their discontinuity with each other and the absence of direct game adaptations.
Game Influence
Even if the movies aren’t canon, they can still be influenced by the games. Here’s how:
- Resident Evil 6 (2012) game director Hideki Kamiya mentioned that the game took inspiration from Resident Evil: Afterlife. This crossover highlights how the games can influence other aspects of the franchise.
Inconsistencies and Discontinuity
Throughout the franchise, fans have noticed several inconsistencies and discontinuities. Let’s explore a few key examples:
| Movie Title | Discrepancies |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) | Introduced the "Red Queen" storyline, which was discarded in subsequent films. Also, the characters’ origins and backstories were often contradictory. |
| Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) | Treated Paul Wesley’s character, Isaacs, as a standalone storyline, rather than acknowledging the events of Retribution. Similarly, the ending of this movie ignored previous plotlines. |
To maintain canon, the creators would need to address these inconsistencies to establish a coherent narrative.
Conclusion
In conclusion:
- Resident Evil: Degeneration and Resident Evil: Damnation are part of the official canon narrative.
- Live-action films, while entertaining, lack continuity and should not be considered part of the franchise’s official storyline.
- Inconsistencies between movies and games can often be attributed to creative freedom or reimagining; however, these discrepancies weaken the overall canon.
Next time you delve into the world of Resident Evil, remember which movies and storylines are canon, and enjoy the vast universe created by Capcom.
References
- Kamiya, H. (2012, October). Resident Evil 6 Development Interview.
- Capcom. (2017, July). Resident Evil: Biohazard Official Synopsis.
Note: The canon status of movies and storylines is subjective and subject to change with new announcements or reevaluations from the creators.