Dead Space: Downfall is the animated prequel to Electronic Arts’ survival-horror, sci-fi, video game named simply Dead Space.  When space miners discover an alien artifact on the distant planet Aegis 7, violence breaks out in the nearby colony.  The USG Ishimura is sent to recover the artifact (the Marker), thought to be a divine object by the Unitologist (a religious sect).  As the Marker is brought to the ship, a strange madness grips its crew.  At the same time, bizarre creatures (Necromorphs) invade Ishimura killing everyone in sight then re-animating the corpses into fearsome mutants.  Alissa Vincent and her security team set out to save the ship and its crew.

If you are not a horror fan or gore is not your thing, then move along.  Move along, nothing to see here.  The blood and various body parts flow freely in this film.  Imagine movies like Event Horizon, Aliens, and Resident Evil rolled up into one animated horror fest and you won’t be too far from the mark.  Expect the usual clichés of the survival-horror genre, but overall, the movie does a good job in establishing its environment and mood.  Fluid animation.  Good musical score.  Good story pacing.   It works well as an action-based, horror film.  Fans of the EA game should pick up this prequel.  But as with many modern horror movies, the one question I always ask myself is: do I care about these characters?  Your answer may determine whether you like this film or not.  Alissa is a competent leader as she defends the Ishimura but in my opinion she is no Ellen Riley or Alice.  However, most survival-horror fans should be pleased by this rare American,  animated, horror film.  I’m hard pressed to think of another one.  Everyone else may or may not care.

Studio: Anchor Bay
Release: 2008
Rating: Not Rated (animated gore, violence, strong language)
Length: 74 minutes
Genre: horror sci-fi
Official Site: deadspace.ea.com