Watch the new Resident Evil 2 live-action trailer inspired by George Romero’s classic TV spot
On the eve of the Resident Evil 2 remake’s launch, Capcom has released a new live-action trailer inspired by George Romero’s classic TV spot from 1998.
Back in 1998, acclaimed director George A. Romero, of Night of the Living Dead fame, was brought in by Sony to direct a live-action commercial for the game Resident Evil 2. Given Romero’s expertise in creating gruesome and satirical horror films set during a zombie apocalypse, he seemed a perfect fit for the job.
The result was this classic gem, which at the time only aired in Japan, unfortunately.
Fast forward more than 20 years later and not only are we getting a Resident Evil 2 remake (in less than one day), but Capcom has also created a new live-action trailer to go along with it. Clearly inspired by Romero’s work, the new trailer isn’t a shot-for-shot remake of the commercial but does follow a similar premise.
Both Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, the game’s two playable characters, are seen scrambling around a Raccoon City overrun by zombies. Unlike Romero’s commercial, this one isn’t set specifically in the Raccoon City Police Department, one of the game’s most iconic locations.
While the two characters still meet in the end, I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed with the trailer’s conclusion. In Romero’s version, Leon tosses Claire a pump shotgun as they prepare to fend off a swarm of zombies. Both are established as equal, bada** characters. This new one? Not so much.
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In my opinion, this updated trailer plays to the typical male heroic trope that we so often see in games. He’s the one who gets the shining moment when he yells for Claire to “get down” and then blasts a zombie in the head. Sure, it’s a cool moment that I think fans will love, but it sort of casts Claire aside. Even in the end, as they are both standing in their pose, it’s Leon with the gun.
Again, it’s not a bad trailer by any means – especially when we look at the broader picture of failed live-action video game trailers. I just wish Claire wasn’t serving as the damsel in distress.
Next. Resident Evil 2 review: Station to station. dark
In any case, you’ll get to play as both Claire and Leon soon enough when the Resident Evil 2 remake releases on January 25, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.