Is Raccoon City a Remake? Unraveling the Resident Evil Confusion
The question of whether Raccoon City is a remake is a bit complex and depends on what you’re referring to. Raccoon City is not a remake of a specific Resident Evil game. Instead, “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” (the movie) is a reboot and an adaptation of the stories from the first and second Resident Evil video games by Capcom. It retells the events surrounding the Raccoon City incident, drawing heavily from the plots and characters of Resident Evil 1 and Resident Evil 2, aiming for a more faithful representation of the games compared to previous film adaptations. Therefore, it’s an adaptation attempting to bring the game storylines to life, rather than a remake of a single game’s narrative.
Delving Deeper into the Raccoon City Phenomenon
The world of Resident Evil is vast and sprawling, encompassing numerous games, movies, and other media. Understanding the relationships between these different forms of media can be tricky. Let’s clarify the role Raccoon City plays in the larger Resident Evil universe.
The movie Welcome to Raccoon City attempts to provide a fresh start for the Resident Evil film franchise, moving away from the heavily stylized, action-oriented approach of the earlier films starring Milla Jovovich. It seeks to be a more faithful adaptation, incorporating key locations, characters, and plot points directly from the first two Resident Evil games.
The Raccoon City Edition, on the other hand, is a bundle containing the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. These remakes are indeed modern reinterpretations of the original games, featuring updated graphics, gameplay mechanics, and expanded storylines. They offer a completely new experience while staying true to the core elements that made the originals so beloved.
Welcome to Raccoon City: A Reboot, Not a Remake
It’s crucial to distinguish between the movie Welcome to Raccoon City and the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes. The movie is an adaptation and a reboot, aiming to retell the story of the games in a new cinematic style. It doesn’t update or enhance the games themselves but rather attempts to translate their narrative to the big screen.
The term “remake” usually refers to a video game that has been rebuilt from the ground up, often with significant improvements in graphics, gameplay, and sometimes even story. The Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes fall into this category, while the movie Welcome to Raccoon City does not.
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Raccoon City Questions
Let’s tackle some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Raccoon City and the broader Resident Evil universe, clarifying the connections, timelines, and canonicity of the various installments.
1. Is Raccoon City Edition the Remakes?
Yes, the Resident Evil: Raccoon City Edition specifically includes the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. These are full-fledged remakes, not just visual upgrades or ports.
2. What is the Sequel to Welcome to Raccoon City?
Reportedly, a sequel to Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is in production, potentially titled “Umbrella Chronicles.” It’s being developed by Raccoon HG Film Productions, the same company behind the first movie.
3. What is Raccoon City Based Off Of?
The skyline of Raccoon City, as seen in the Resident Evil 2 game, is modeled after the real-world city of Montréal, Québec.
4. Is Welcome to Raccoon City a Prequel to the Netflix Series?
No, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is not a prequel to the Netflix series. They are separate projects with different creative teams and storylines, and are not connected.
5. Is the Resident Evil Show Connected to Welcome to Raccoon City?
No, the Netflix Resident Evil series and Welcome to Raccoon City are not connected. They are produced by different teams and tell separate stories, although the Netflix series maintains some level of canonicity with the games.
6. Is Welcome to Raccoon City Connected to Resident Evil?
No, Welcome to Raccoon City and the Netflix Resident Evil show are entirely separate and have no intentional connection.
7. How Does Welcome to Raccoon City Fit in the Timeline?
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is set in 1998, around the same time as the events of the first few Resident Evil games. The Netflix show is set in 2022 and 2036.
8. How Old Was Leon in Resident Evil 2?
Leon S. Kennedy was 21 years old during the events of Resident Evil 2.
9. What Happened to the Original Raccoon City?
Raccoon City was destroyed by a U.S. government-sanctioned missile strike in 1998 to contain the t-Virus outbreak. The area is now a restricted zone.
10. Is Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City 2 Coming Out?
According to reports, a sequel to Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is in development, though its exact status and details remain scarce.
11. How Many People Survived Raccoon City?
Canonically, several characters survived the Raccoon City destruction, including Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Sherry Birkin, Ada Wong, H.U.N.K., Jill Valentine, Carlos Oliveira, and others.
12. Is Raccoon City Canon?
The events depicted in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, while drawing from the games, are considered a non-canon hypothetical scenario due to the compressed timeline and altered events.
13. Does Raccoon City Get Rebuilt?
According to some fan theories and speculative fiction, Raccoon City might be rebuilt in the future, potentially becoming a center for anti-virus research and development. However, this is not part of the official canon.
14. How Old is Leon in 6?
Leon S. Kennedy is 36 years old in Resident Evil 6, which takes place in 2013.
15. How Far Apart is RE1 and RE2?
The events of Resident Evil 2 take place roughly two months after those of Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil 1.
The Enduring Legacy of Raccoon City
Raccoon City remains a central and iconic location within the Resident Evil universe. Its tragic fate and the events that transpired there continue to shape the characters and storylines of subsequent games, movies, and series. Whether through remakes, reboots, or entirely new interpretations, the story of Raccoon City endures, captivating fans with its blend of horror, action, and conspiracy.
Exploring the complexities of video game adaptations and their impact on fan communities is a fascinating area of study. Organizations like the Games Learning Society are dedicated to understanding how games and related media influence learning, culture, and society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about their research and initiatives.
In conclusion, while “Raccoon City” is not a remake itself, various iterations, including games and movies, retell and reimagine the events surrounding its downfall. Understanding the distinctions between these versions is key to appreciating the rich and ever-evolving world of Resident Evil.