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Resident Evil: Apocalypse

Movie Review by JJ Collins

Director: Alexander Witt

Writer(s): Paul W.S. Anderson

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Oded Fehr, Thomas Kretschmann, Sophie Vavasseur, Sandrine Holt, Mike Epps

In the flawed but fun sequel to Resident Evil (2002), Alice returns a bit modified, bio-genetically enhanced with new strengths, senses, dexterity and so on (reminiscent of Ripley in Alien Resurrection) to kick some serious ass. This movie was like Pitch Black in that it was enjoyable in its own right, but nothing original was introduced, and this reduces it to a genre movie that won't have any broad reaching effects.

In this story a general orders The Hive reopened and as a result Raccoon City is completely overrun with zombies and quarantined. Within this framework three sexy women (Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory and Sandrine Holt) join up with a couple of S.T.A.R.S. members (specially trained policemen) on a quest to rescue a young girl. The girl's father is a scientist who promises to help the group escape the city if they find and collect his daughter before a nuclear bomb is dropped to eliminate all evidence of the Umbrella Corporation's experiments. In their race against the clock, the team must also contend with a new threat in the form of a weapon/monster called "Nemesis," the fully mutated former coworker (Matt Addison) from whom Alice was separated at the end of the first movie.

Some may be put off by the timing and execution of constant last minute rescues, perfectly lodged bullets and choreographed escapes, but this movie isn't brain food. If you're a fan of the video games, you will probably find that this movie is better than the original in that it incorporates more elements from the games. My only complaint is that some of the fight scenes are quick jerky cuts that prevent the viewer from seeing the action more clearly. Any other flaws I noted, I was able to accept or simply overlook. What can I say? It appealed to the 16-year-old in me.

Was I ever scared while watching this movie? Not hardly. Do I expect this movie to score a high ranking in the horror hall of fame? Heck no. Would I recommend this movie to my friends? Only to a select few. However, after watching the craptacular Alien vs. Predator (also penned by Paul Anderson), I would have to say this film was definitely better, although by how many degrees is debatable. I was entertained, and with a movie like this, one which can't sustain in depth scrutiny, that's saying something.

3 out of 5 stars

JJ

After viewing this film do you agree? Disagree? Have something informative to add? I'd love to hear from you. Gimmie a shout at jjcollins@midnighttimes.com