Having played several hours of the Dead Space game – or simply having seen any number of greater sci-fi / horror films – it's apparent from the start that Downfall, the title's animated prologue, suffers from a serious case of over-writing. Given that the secret to any great outer-space haunted house film is a lack of knowledge on the part of the terrified hero, it seldom helps toss more and more plot into a film that requires less. Knowing what's in the dark – as well as why it's there and where it comes from – has never served the genre well, and from the first frame of Downfall, we're given enough answers to decapitate any real sense of mystery. Dead Space the game tosses you into a situation with little explanation or available defense – pushes you into the darkness to discover for yourself what Downfall so plainly tells you – proves that this series understands how to blend story, pacing, atmosphere and violence to relatively meaningful effect. And while it's certainly not a bad film – perfectly well animated with some imaginative kills -- Downfall doesn't seem to pick up on what makes its namesake work so effectively. If you could take out the dialogue and dullard performances, remove the unnecessary religious subplot and add an extra dash of suspense – you'd have series of horrific action montages well worth watching. Leave all that in and what you've got is an animated movie that would exchange awkward, knowing glances with Event Horizon while waiting in line to see Alien.