Resident Evil: Damnation Blu-ray Review

"Resident Evil: Damnation" arrives on Region Free UK Blu-ray with a solid 1080p AVC-encoded transfer presented in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The animation, though not meeting the benchmark of top-tier studios like Pixar or DreamWorks, is commendable and shows significant technological advancements since its predecessor. The fine detailing is superb—whether it's the texture of Leon’s stubble, Ada Wong’s subtle blush, or the President’s aging face lines, the level of detail is impressive. Environmental textures, such as the war-torn cityscapes and intricate brick and metal details, contribute to a realistic ambiance. Colors are aptly muted to match the somber setting but excel in moments where reds and other primaries appear, enhancing elements like blood and incendiary scenes.

However, this Blu-ray transfer does have its minor drawbacks, primarily due to the inherent limitations of CG animation. Issues such as banding, aliasing, and edge enhancement are present intermittently, though they do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. Black levels are consistently deep without crushing details, and the contrast remains finely tuned, providing punchy yet nuanced white and gray tones. Although some moiré effects and jagged edges on characters’ faces are noticeable, these artifacts are relatively minor in the grand scope of the presentation.

Despite these few technical impurities, the overall video quality is compelling. Vibrant daytime sequences and realistic hair movements enhance the visual appeal, almost bordering on photo-realism at times. The depth achieved in this 2D presentation is noteworthy, although one might wonder how impactful a 3D version could have been. In sum, "Resident Evil: Damnation" offers a high-definition experience that effectively showcases the film’s detailed animation and atmospheric settings, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection despite its imperfections.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Resident Evil: Damnation" is an engaging component of the Blu-ray presentation, masterfully replicating the film's intense and chaotic soundscape. Dialogue is prominently clear and coherent, emanating notably from the frontal array, ensuring that speech remains intelligibly proportionate even amidst the sonic bedlam. The gunfire and explosions are represented with convincing realism, effectively pulling the listener into the war-torn universe of the movie. The dynamic range is well managed, offering punchy low ends that lend considerable gravity to action sequences, while the music score is crisply delivered across the entire soundstage.

The sound design adeptly uses the full range of the surround setup, creating a robust and immersive auditory environment. Surround channels are actively engaged, rendering effects like artillery, machine-gun fire, and zombie-related sounds with precise directionality and impact. The environmental ambiances, such as slithering Lickers and explosively aggressive Plagas, enhance the enveloping feeling of chaos and tension. Sub-bass frequencies are used judiciously to underscore these effects with a rumbling presence that reverberates through the listening area, providing a visceral experience without overwhelming subtleties in other areas of the mix.

Despite some minor inconsistencies in dynamic depth, particularly in enclosed spaces where echoes could be more pronounced, the track overall is highly satisfactory. The film’s audio clarity remains impeccable across various scene transitions, with lip-syncing finely tuned despite its Japanese production origin. The detailed panning and sonic textures contribute to an impressive 3D-like spatial audio experience. While it may not reach absolute demo material status, it is a top-tier example of effective use of surround audio in an action-filled cinematic setting.

The extras on the "Resident Evil: Damnation" Blu-ray disc, while not overwhelming in quantity, provide a rich and engaging look into the making of the film and the broader Resident Evil universe. Central to this is "The DNA of Damnation," a comprehensive 30-minute making-of featurette that delves into the film's story, character development, stylistic choices, and digital crafting process, all with insightful commentary from the Japanese production team. Complementing this is "Las Plagas: Organisms of War," a 7-minute featurette that offers an in-universe exploration of the Las Plagas mutation, adding essential background for newcomers to the series. The disc also includes a 6-minute Gag Reel featuring humorous and occasionally offensive outtakes, three game trailers, an exclusive conceptual art gallery, and an Ultraviolet digital copy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Conceptual Art Gallery: A collection of hand-drawn sketches.
• Las Plagas: Organisms of War: A short film exploring the Las Plagas mutation.
• The DNA of Damnation: Making-of featurette with detailed production insights.
• Gag Reel: Animated bloopers and outtakes.
• Resident Evil 6 Game Trailer
• Devil May Cry Game Trailer
• Dragon's Dogma Game Trailer
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy

"Resident Evil: Damnation" deftly integrates into the Resident Evil universe, building upon the franchise's storied history with riveting execution. This animated sequel, a precursor to "Resident Evil 6," features Leon S. Kennedy navigating the chaos of an Eastern Slav Republic embroiled in civil war. There, rebels employ Bio-Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) to shift the balance of power—a storyline that echoes familiar tropes yet sustains engaging intrigue and relentless action. Voiced by Matthew Mercer, Leon defies orders to withdraw, plunging into a conspiracy where human and monstrous foes layer the battlefield with palpable tension.

The animation offers a noticeable improvement over prior entries, showcasing commendable CGI that, while not at par with top-tier animations, outshines many contemporaries in its genre. The battlefield backdrop, though occasionally sparse, accentuates the grim tone and architectural desolation of a nation fractured by conflict. Characters such as Ada Wong (Courtenay Taylor) bring density to the plot despite some trope-heavy interactions and somewhat clichéd pastiches—a notably ludicrous martial arts fight sequence stands out as both a highlight and a distraction from the narrative’s grittier undertones.

Resident Evil: Damnation's strength lies in its adherence to familiar franchise elements—slimy creatures, gnarly gore, and swift-paced escapades—all while embedding nods to the original video games that fans will appreciate. Although missing a potential 3D experience that would've enhanced certain explosive set pieces, the film compensates with strong voice acting and mo-capture performances. It maintains equilibrium between catering to die-hard series followers and engaging casual viewers intrigued by horror-action spectacles, despite its modest scope and lack of broad appeal beyond niche enthusiasts.

Resident Evil: Damnation exceeds expectations and stands out in the often-underwhelming genre of video game-based films. True to the source material, this movie is an engaging experience with well-executed animation, gripping action scenes, and solid voice acting. Its adherence to the storyline and atmosphere of the Resident Evil games will undoubtedly please long-time fans while still remaining accessible to newcomers. However, the absence of a 3D version is a notable omission that may disappoint some enthusiasts.

Sony’s Blu-ray release complements the film with impressive visuals and robust audio quality. The video quality is so lifelike that it can occasionally make you forget you're watching animation, with crisp details and vibrant colors that enhance the viewing experience. The audio tracks are equally compelling, delivering an immersive ambiance that brings every tense moment and dramatic scene to life. Despite these strengths, the supplementary materials are somewhat lacking, which may leave aficionados wanting more behind-the-scenes content or additional features.

Overall, Resident Evil: Damnation is a commendable addition to any fan’s collection. It is particularly appealing to those invested in the Resident Evil universe but doesn't alienate newcomers with undue complexity. While the lack of 3D support is a letdown, the strong presentation in 2D makes this Blu-ray well worth considering. Fans of the franchise will find much to appreciate, and even those not yet acquainted with Resident Evil might find themselves intrigued enough to explore the games or other film installments. A strong recommendation for fans and a solid suggestion for casual viewers.