Resident Evil is the first sci-fi zombie movie I think ever I’ve seen, but it’s still among the least original. In Aliens meets Night of the Living Dead, a group of military personnel investigate an outbreak in a research facility of the future. A powerful, strength enhancing substance has broken out in the facility. The stuff is so powerful it kills its subjects and animates the dead body, which walks around and acts like a traditional zombie.

Based on the video game, the movie plays very much like a video game. The group discovers the building is infested with the zombie - although the word is never used - and proceed with fighting them off with whatever means possible. Zombie conventions are in full play, including issues such as group members having difficultly killing one of their own infected, etc.

After fighting off legions of zombies, the group, led by Alice (Milla Jovovich) and a grumpy Rain, (Michelle Rogriguez, in a oft-seen character), the remaining survivors must face the main enemy at the end of the game. The substance has been used to create a super-human monster with human the group must contend.

Though laden with the traditional supply of action, suspense, and special effects, there’s nothing particularly interesting or engaging about Resident Evil.

 
 
 

Year:

MPAA Rating: Running Time: Date Written:  
2004 R 1:40 1/05  
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