Anime Profile: Dead Space: Downfall

Dead Space: Downfall is based on the videogame Dead Space, but actually takes place before the game, showing us all the horrible events leading up to Isaac Clarke's battle against the monstrous alien creatures called Necromorphs aboard the spaceship USG Ishimura. We start out following a small survey team on the surface of a dead planet where they soon come across a giant alien artifact. Some believe it may hold the key to God, but it's never explained exactly why anyone believes this... and in fact would seem to be just the opposite, as it seems many of the colonists living in the mining facility begin to go insane and kill themselves or others.

The captain of a spaceship called the USG Ishimura is ordered to retrieve the artifact, and thus hauls the thing up from its planetary resting spot. Not a good decision if you ask me considering what it seems to have been doing to the colonists. But the captain has his orders, and so it is brought on board. And from that point on, all hell breaks loose. The colonists are soon all slaughtered by some mysterious force, while onboard the ship people seem to be migrating to the artifact, risking even violence just for a chance to look upon it.

Strange things are definitely afoot, but we haven't even gotten to the real action yet! Someway, somehow, the nasty alien creatures find their way on board the ship, and now it's up to Alissa Vincent, Chief Security Officer, and her team to track down and exterminate this pest problem before everyone on the ship ends up like the people on the planet. Easier said than done!

This movie is all about gore and atmosphere, which it does well. There is very little story here, and even less character development. There are many hints at a larger story, but no follow through. I have not played the game yet, so perhaps it is expanded there. And actually, this movie feels like it could easily be made into a videogame. I wouldn't be surprised to see this prequel made into something playable... eventually. When that happens, I wonder if they'll make a prequel to this prequel?

Check out the official website for images, news, and more: Dead Space: Downfall

Official Press Synopsis

An ancient religious artifact has been recovered by a deep-space mining ship, and for the crew of the USG Ishimura, life just became a living hell. Unearthed on a far-away planet during a mining operation, the relic is worshiped by some, even seen as proof of God. But when it’s removed from its resting place and brought on the ship, the artifact unleashes a long-dormant alien race, one bent on ripping apart -- and taking over -- every human aboard. Their screams CAN be heard in space … but only the slashers are listening.