Rating: Summary: Stick with the video games- very disappointing Review: If you are unfamiliar with the incredible Resident Evil video games, watching this movie won't make you want to try them out. And if you're a fan them, like myself, you're going to be set up for extreme disappointment.First of all, there's not much here in common with the games, other than zombies and an occasional mention of the T-virus or some other phrase from the games. Secondly, there is nothing frightening about this movie. Unlike the games, all the instances of violence/gore/shock come across as very campy rather than scary. Actually, "campy" may be the wrong word to use, as that would imply a bit of lightheartedness- this movie takes itself *way* too seriously. You feel very little tension or buildup while watching, and you'll find yourself looking at the packaging halfway through to find out what the running time is. It's just plain boring. And of course, there's a setup for a sequel no one is asking them to make. The only impressive thing about this film is the performance of lead actress Milla Jovovich, who seems to be the only involved in the movie who realizes this is based on a VIDEO GAME, not Shakespeare. She did a great job considering the quality of the movie. On the other hand, Michelle Rodriguez gives an eye-rollingly melodramatic performance as the token "tough chick." The other actors either just stand around, get killed, or most likely, both. But who knows, maybe the upcoming sequel will be better. But not likely.
Rating: Summary: Great film Review: Let me say straight off that I have never played Resident Evil (I don't get the time). I found this movie to be great fun with a shocking opening. I can't believe the opening isn't listed as being scary. I mean think about it, you're just getting ready to go home and the fire alarm goes off, you try to leave but you're sealed in and about to get dosed with Halon gas. I watched the opening sequence and it chilled me, because at the time you don't know who's deliberately killing the workers. Then we meet Alice (BTW no-one names her) who suffers amnesia. From then we get into the Hive and the horror that awaits. I enjoyed this movie and found it moderately jumpy without being a gorefest (I don't like proper gore flicks). To the reviewer who asked why Milla is running around in a red evening dress, I have to ask: Did you watch the movie? It's made quite plain that she puts the dress on because it is laid out ready on the bed and she doesn't get the chance to change. So it didn't go everywhere like the game, well to be blunt, that works in a game but in a film, it would look patchy and disjointed. All in all I liked this film, Milla is sexy and kick..., Michelle is moody and tough and the sounndtrack rocks. Can't wait for the sequel.
Rating: Summary: Play the game instead. Review: This director really has only one good movie - "Event Horizon" - and everything else is just plain bad, Resident Evil being absolutely no exception to this general rule of thumb and God help "Aliens Vs Predator" with the way things are shaping up. This film is marginally better than Ghosts of Mars, but only because Milla Jovovich goes around the place in a really very short mini-skirt and just happens to get skin sticking wet clothes towards the end of the picture. Overall the movie has extremely low production values and even lower prospects in the execution of the film. All of the sets looked contrived, i.e - they have no point being there other than to match scenes in the computer game or look interesting. Oh, yeah did we mention that this is based on a computer game? No, okay lets back up a bit here... Resident Evil just happens to be a really popular 3rd person zombie shoot 'em up horror survival game that they are now selling as a movie. Okay, let's move on... When the actors in this film are more robotic than the characters in the game then you know something has gone seriously wrong... and it has. Nobody in the cast is mildly recognizable except for Milla Jovovich, and they shouldn't be either, because they all suck real bad. The camera work is some of the worse seen in a long time. Why? Because it attracts attention itself almost all of time. Bad cinematography. For 35mm it looks like it was shot on video. The lighting is pretty good whenever it turns on or off but when it is static it is just useless. The editing is extremely bad at times and cuts fail to match. From an atheistic standpoint its all terrible production values for a Hollywood budget. The CGI also happens to be extremely, EXTREMELY, dodgy most of the times. You know when the animation looks like animation? Well x 100 times worse is what you get here. It looks terribly fake, and even the dogs covered in RED PAINT look very cheesy. Overall this is a really really really very bad production. The story is worse and even some of the....... Bah. Forget about me writing anymore. Not worth it. Just go play the game instead.
Rating: Summary: BIG DISSAPOINTMENT Review: BEFORE THIS MOVIE CAME OUT I HAD HIGHLY ANTICIPATED TO BE A GREAT MOVIE, BUT IT SUCKED SO BAD AND IT WAS STUPID THE GRAPHICS WERE HORRIBLE IVE SEEN SCARY MOVIES FROM THE 70'S THAT HAS BETTER SPECIAL EFFECTS THAN THIS CRAP. A LITTLE ADVICE TO ANYONE WHOS THINKING ABOUT BUYING THIS MOVIE DONT!!!!!! NOT EVEN RENT IT, ITS NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY.
Rating: Summary: Taut, effective zombie kill fest. Review: This was a taut, chilling, and surprisingly effective zombie kill fest. The opening with the lethal lock-down of the complex by the super-computer is at once coldly methodical, and deadly. Milla as the heroine has transformed markedly since her Fifth Element days, and does an admirable job as the anesthesia victim. This film really moves along at a great pace, the Marylyn Manson soundtrack kicks it up a notch along w/ the action sequences. A deadly virus is released in an underground research complex, the host computer kills all the scientists rather than risk external exposure of the virus. A security detail is dispatched to ascertain what went wrong, but are themselves targeted by the newly animated dead. One of the better of its breed to be sure, very polished and gritty at the same time. It works, recommended.
Rating: Summary: The Red Queen's wild ride Review: Resident Evil is a stylish ride, a battle between the festering evil let loose inside the Hive, a high-security Umbrella Corporation research facility; the Hive's system defenses; and the few, the unlucky few, the terminally unhappy few trapped in the Hive who need to go in to discover what has gone wrong and then find a way out... I can't attest to its faithfulness in translating the video game franchise to film. It does succeed in being attractive, stylish. Michelle Rodriguez (seen on the cover next to Jovovich) rocked, giving one of those performances that will make you remember her name and look for her elsewhere. Milla Jovovich delivered, refashioning herself again so that she looked nothing like she did in The Messenger or Fifth Element, balancing her character's vulnerability with ferocity and sex appeal. The male characters were, for the most part, short-lived and forgettable. Not that they gave poor performances, just that they were (mostly) supporting roles that doubled as h'ors-douvres. The special effects were good. The computer controlling the Hive 's defenses -- The Red Queen, seen in the trailer -- made a good character in the movie. Resident Evil made good use of the state of the art for 2002-3. The music melted into the movie, adding to the action sequences without otherwise interrupting the flow. Action sequences were nicely choreographed. Resident Evil works. It goes up, it goes down, it goes around and around and comes out ... and then you see the trailer for the next installment (the cosmetic ad) and you line up for the ride all over again.
Rating: Summary: Loved the movie! Review: Rented the DVD and loooooved it, not knowing ANYTHING about the game (hey, i'm a 47-yo lady...okayyyyyy???) :-P Only wish I'd seen it on the BIG silver screen, cuz I know it was awesome! Now I'm on pins & needles waiting 4 the sequel, and will definitely see it on the BIG screen! I loved the action, the zombies, the hi-tech gadgetry, all that stuff. I highly recommend it 2 any sci-fi/horror fans. If any1 already has the Superbilt version, willya let me know if it's worth it? Just would like a bit more info b4 I buy it. Thanks!
Rating: Summary: "I wanted to hold true to the Video Game." Huh? Ok... Review: The directer Paul Anderson (MK/ Soldier/ Event Horrizon/) said this in the Making Of RE on the DVD. The question I have is, at what point in this movie does he "hold true to the Video Game"? Who the heck is this "Alice" person? Where is the mansion? Where are the S.T.A.R.S.? Where is the Tyrant? Where is the music? Where is the "world of survival horror? This movie is everything the VG is not. Which is exactly why I gave it two generous stars. People say, "you can't expect the same thing, you can't expect all the puzzles and gadgets, you can't expect the same characters. Huh? What's that? Why call it Resident Evil? Paul Anderson has done great in the past, Mortal Kombat is a peach of flick if you ask me, and Event Horrizon was more scary than this and it was Sci-Fi. I don't get it either. Paul, I know your a big director and I'm one of the little angry viewers that didn't "get it", but take some advice. Whenever you adapt something, be it a book or a video game, the idea is to truly stay true to the original by re-creating that atmosphere that made us jump at the zombies and the dogs crashing through those windows. The erie music that played over the vast rooms of the mansion and basements. The darkness that followed you everywhere. You did a good job with MK and I respect you for that. But I can't forgive you for what you did to a classic game and genre of Resident Evil. Paul is now at the helm of Aliens Vs. Predator coming out later this year. I'll cross my fingers.
Rating: Summary: "You're all going to die down here...." Review: Resident Evil is the best thing ever. From the video games to the movie and even the soundtrack. Everything that has anything to do with Resident Evil is great. It may not be as scary as some people may hope but its still a great movie to watch. I dont care if some idiot says its trash....and you people shouldn't either...they lie!!!! THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF THE BEST THAT WILL EVER BE CREATED. keep your eyes open for the sequel. i checked a summary on part two and it sounds as good as the first one. The story is great the actors are great and the Umbrella corperation is pure evil...watch the movie and while your at it...play the game. you wont be dissapointed. RESIDENT EVIL IS THE BEST! I cant wait until part two. by then my cousin and i will have already got our shippment of resident evil clothes...yes, there is clothes too...yes, im that obsessed and you will be too if you watch it. Have fun all you horror fans out there. BEWARE OF UMBRELLA CORPERATION!!!!
Rating: Summary: Top Of The Notch Action!!! Review: What can I say. This was a good movie!!! I have all three video games so I thought I might just buy this movie!!! With some good bonus features and ok gore, this is a great buy for any horror fan!!! Take my advice and get it!!!
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