Resident Evil [2002] - DVD (Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes - Dir: Paul W.S. Anderson)

Given that Resident Evil is a Paul Anderson movie based on a computer game which was itself highly derivative (especially of George A Romero and James Cameron films), it's probably unfair to complain that it hasn't got an original idea or moment in its entire running time. In the early 1980s, Italian schlock films such as Zombie Flesh Eaters and Zombie Creeping Flesh tried to cram in as many moments restaged from American originals as possible, strung together by silly characters wandering between monster attacks. This is a much-improved, edited, photographed and directed version of the same gambit.

As amnesiac Milla Jovovich remembers amazing kung fu skills and anti-globalist Eric Mabius mutters about evil corporations, a gang of clichéd soldiers with nary a distinguishing feature between them (except for Michelle Rodriguez as a secondary tough chick) are trapped in an underground scientific compound at the mercy of a tyrannical computer--which manifests as a smug little-girl-o-gram--fending off flesh-eating zombies (though gore fans will be disappointed by the film's need to stay within the limits of the 15 certificate) and CGI mutants, not to mention the ever-popular zombie dogs. It's tolerably action-packed, but zips past its borrowings (Aliens, Cube, Deep Blue Sea) without adding anything that future schlock pictures will want to imitate.

On the DVD: Resident Evil on disc has the expected trailers, both teaser and theatrical; a half-hour making-of; zombie make-up tests; featurettes on music (with Marilyn Manson), production design and costume. A lively commentary track features Anderson, Jovovich, Rodriguez and producer/zombie Jeremy Bolt--Jovovich upbraids Anderson for talking about different gradings of film stock over her nude scene and everyone else talks about how much she hurt them by punching them out during action sequences. Anderson mentions an alternate commentary track with visual effects designer Richard Yuricich, but it isn't included. --Kim Newman

Customer Reviews of Resident Evil [2002]

Yellow-Sn0W
Bristol, UK
30th October 2008

ZOMBIES!!!!
Guns, Girls, Zombies... GIVE ME MORE!!

Absolutely awesome, fans of resident evil and zombies alike should flock in their masses to watch this. Incredible story, and they managed quite well with special effects on such a low budget.

WATCH IT NOW!!

:::DIGITAL BABE:::
East Coast
18th October 2008

Cool concepts, characters/effects lacking realism
First of, I am not a gamer, and am not familiar with the game. This was the first time I watched this Blu-Ray. The story was engaging in that it was futuristic, and had some cool effects (although over computerized). I am rating it 3 stars, for the story and overall acting/movie. The PQ and AQ were above average, but not demo, with the picture a bit soft in parts. If you're a fan of the genre, give it a rent.

godzilla78
northern ireland
18th September 2008

best of the worst
The trilogy is crap and as bad as this film is, it's the best of the bunch. I still wouldn't advise anyone to watch this as it is cliche ridden and fails to capitalize on great source material from the game itself. And why did someone think that covering dogs in tomato sauce would look remotely scary. Dumb and very stupid and i usually like this kind of thing! Please make this rubbish stop. Acting - wooden, story - unoriginal...what more is there to say? RUBBISH

dan the fan
england,uk
24th July 2008

stylish and action packed with great special effects
I've never seen the computer game on which this film was based.All I can say is that this was a highly entertaining thriller/horror movie that moved quickly and stylishly from beginning to end.Packed with surprises,great special effects,well-placed humour and fine acting.

martin thomas
england
6th June 2008

another bad videogame adaption
ever since he made the excellent event horizon paul anderson has wasted his talent on drivil like this which is a shame