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Director: Paul Anderson
Release Date: March 15, 2002
Rating: R (for strong sci-fi/horror violence, language, and brief sexuality/nudity)
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 Killer zombies, hot chicks, and big guns
What comes to mind when you think of zombies? First among the stereotypes instilled by the Night of the Living Dead types are the half-decayed flesh-eaters moaning as they stumbling stiffly along. But a new show has come to claim the throne of killer zombie movies, and they would like to put a new set of images in your head: a hot chick in a red dress that knows Kung Fu, shoots a gun like a marksman, and can do it all while pursing her lips for the camera.
Resident Evil, based off of the video game series by Capcom, centers on a special military unit fighting an out-of-control supercomputer underground. At the same time, to save their own lives, they must combat hundreds of dead scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures due to a lab experiment gone bad.
Looks pretty, sounds good, but falls apart in long conversations
Resident Evil's concept is a twist on a classic story. The visual effects and cinematography are stunning. What this movie missed out on is what most movies made from videos games miss out on: plugging all of the plot holes. Video game story lines aren't typically impressive. They start out with a lot of action to introduce you to the game's objective and then leave you with an open ending for the sequel.
Resident Evil sticks to that style of Swiss cheese storytelling, and the plot leaks out leaving little more than a string of hallow action sequences.
This is unfortunate because the anti-corporate message that surfaced throughout the movie revealed the potential for a deeper story . Yet in the end it was sacrificed for glamorous action scenes featuring the pouting Milla Jovovich.
Although the plot is weak, Resident Evil will scare the living dead right out of you. And the fear doesn't always come from the blood dripping creatures that are chasing the heroes. Half the suspense lies in not knowing what the supercomputer has hidden around the numerous corners that form a zigzagging maze through zombie territory, and even darker evil.
The ending is a cliffhanger, but a good one
If you've never played the video games, then the ending will surprise you. Although it leaves the audience hanging for the sequel, it is done well enough to be one of the highlights of the film.
Resident Evil is recommended for lovers of the game and for people who enjoy blood-curdling scares. All others need not apply.
Related Links:
Resident Evil's official site
Resident Evil: Nemesis
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