Resident Evil (2002)

 

Paul WS Anderson is a director who pretty much just settled on translating videogames onto the big screen. It's a choice, I guess. Heck, he does far better than total arsehat Uwe Boll, that's for sure. His version of 'Mortal Kombat' is still the best one out there (barring the animated ones which are excellent) but it was only marred by the PG rating. His 'Aliens Versus Predator' was popcorn fun and enjoyable with the brain in "Off"-mode, and his very first 'Resident Evil' is pretty passable for a big budget PG horrorfilm, especially made for kids who can't stand the sight of gore.

No really, this film is ridiculously tame considering the franchise it is based upon. 

The story doesn't faff about: a virus is purposefully released in a corporation and everyone dies. A little while later, a team of supposedly special forces (sort of, it's hard to decide just what they are) is sent to investigate and they come across Alice (Jovovich), some random dude and then some other random dude and decide they will take these civilians with them into the underground building that is known as The Hive. The purpose is to shut down the semi-sentient computer Red Queen and find out what happened. But of course, as soon as they shut her down, doors are opened and suddenly everyone is swarmed by zombies of varying ilk. 

Alice also finds out she is both a traitor of sorts and ridiculously adept at combat. Because aren't we all?

The building is set on a course to automated lockdown, so everyone needs to get out in about two hours' time. There are betrayals, deaths, you know the drill pretty much. 

No, the story isn't the most interesting part of this film. Heck, the story feels like an afterthought just to insert references to the game it is extremely loosely based upon. 

Zombie dogs? Check. Zombies? Check. A Licker (creature from the game, obviously)? Check. It often feels more as though this film just wants to pander to fans, but it then omits one very special aspect that makes the games so relevant and engaging: the actual horror. Most kills here happen off screen and very often you see some blood instead of the absolute gorefest that is the games themselves. 'Sanitized gore' is probably a good term to describe this. The ridiculous segue to sequels at the end is also especially cringeworthy. 

So is this film a total bomb? Not really. It is enjoyable when you put your brain in the "Off"-setting and take it for what it is: a silly action romp with some zombies thrown in. You will not care about any of the characters and because this one is extremely light on the horror and suspense, even non-horrorfans might like it. 

Bonus points? Milla Jovovich always looks gorgeous. *sigh*

Oh, and the soundtrack is pretty kickass, so be sure to pick up a copy if you can. It is probably the best part of this film. Enjoyable schlock, no more, no less.