Translating a video game into a film is generally a frowned upon art to die-hard fans, due to Hollywood changes to the original game premises or due to Uwe Boll owning the rights for making the film. The Resident Evil series dropped a good deal of the creepy horror elements and leaned heavy on the action, however, was not totally awful enough to scare gamers away from buying movie tickets. Resident Evil: Extinction is the third film for the zombie action series and the following explores what is packed into the experience.
Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy directed the Paul W.S. Anderson written script for the third installment, with leading lady Milla Jovovich still on board as well as having Ali Larter join the cast. There are other cast members such as Mike Epps, Ashanti, or Iian Glen, however Jovovich and now Larter seem to be the cornerstones for keeping things afloat, Larter’s character is actually Claire Redfield from the game series.
The first Resident Evil was an outbreak in a lab compound, the second followed the outbreak into a city, and the third has the entire world over taken by the T-virus, and most humans resorting to a nomadic and violent lifestyle, with evil Umbrella Corporation scientist supposedly looking for a cue, yet with some sinister intentions.
First off I am a fan of the original game, along with its first sequel, and even put in some good time with Code Veronica. Therefore, the films did not live up to my full expectations, or wishes, but worked for what they were. The second film went way over the top with the action to a point where it was CGI goofy, the standing and doing flips on a moving motorcycle while shooting kind of thing. It was a pleasant surprise to find that element slightly toned down for Resident Evil: Extinction. This film had action scenes that were entertaining without having to be in the mood for accepting dumb illogical scenarios, such as found in the brand of action films like The Transporter; ugh.
In the acting department Milla is Milla and when she does a death scene or an awakening out of a state of incubation scene , such as in the Evil series or The Fifth Element for example, one doesn’t know whether to grin at poor acting, or accept the fact that she really seems like a real person, because real people are silly, with silly expressions, especially in death, etc. no complaints: Milla kicks ass. Ali Larter, looked the part of Claire from the games for sure, and if the rumors are true that it would be her job to carry on the franchise should it go for a fourth, then she seems perfectly fit for the part.
The story is laced with loads of cliché and borrowed scenarios from not just the zombie genre, but the mutant family kidnapping genre and attacking birds as well. It ends up being run-of-the-mill, but for me not being a huge fan of the first two films that was an improvement in some ways. Could have used without the person gets bit and doesn’t tell anyone scenario though, come on: get creative! I also found it stupid that the killer crows happened to be attacking and killing someone named “Birdy”, at least I think the were yelling Birdy.
The ending of the film was solid. The final monster Milla battles is very cool, though the fight itself ends up falling back on some of the series previous material, it was satisfactory enough just seeing the cool special effects. Ian Glen plays the villain wonderfully. I felt like I got a double ending sort of treat. There is a moment with an abrupt fade to black and the film could have ended right then and there and I would have liked it, however it continues on with the actual ending and I liked that too.
Resident Evil: Extinction wasn’t half-bad, I do recommend watching the previous two in order to understand certain plot points that are not new viewer friendly. I went into Resident Evil: Extinction not expecting much and therefore was not disappointed, enjoyed the experience more or less, and feel that the series is not extinct and should continue on.
Don’t get me wrong, the review is pretty much on par to what I thought about the movie, but I would say there is definitely not going to be a continuation, A. It hasn’t made as much as they expected, barely over the budget spent on the movie, and B. With the ending in this it offers no where to go,with the resident evil series.
******SPOILER**********
What is she going to do, the franchise is pretty much gone in the direction of mindless killing…of zombies though, in the end she states to the guy Oh I am coming and I am bringing some friends. Shes going to go kill them. There were thousands of Alice clones in there what are they going to do make a movie where Milla Jovocovich or whatever her name is every other cast member. The movie would be too cliche and would not work at all, everyone would realize its just a greed movie. The movies in my opinion have strayed to far from the games, they try to toss in a few things from the games, such as the tyrant at the end, but they have lef the games plots behind and slapped the titles of characters on these actors. Resident Evil 4 would just be a slap in the face of viewers, cause no plot would relate to the game and it would basically say hey, Screen Gems needs the money. The only thing that I would really really like seeing is maybe a new series of resident evil. One that pays a more direct homage to Resident Evil. Show me Leon and Claire fighting zombies take me back to Racoon City.
Another thing is the Second Film was a huge disappointment, they left behind what the whole first film made. It should of picked off with Milla outside of the hospital doors with a shotgun rather than jump into the Nemesis story. A little upset with the series overall but this movie was good, just not what I really wanted to see. I loved the first one though, easily the best overall of the series but this one had the most action out of the series.
The plot for the fourth film involves zombies with snow..and Ali Larter as the lead…Jovovich currently declines making a fourth…as for movie profits…if they make anything back over budget ay box office that is just icing on the cake, the real money comes with Dvd and then of course there is worldwide box office
I forgot to mention…this Resident Evil made more money than the previous two on opening weekend
Thats expected for it to make money, people crave action-horror. This had much more action than the other movies, I like the premise of Larter becoming the lead but thats just like slapping the resident evil game in the face. Change the name of the title or something. Really someone should make a movie more game-based, a scene with a huge croc in the sewers would be incredible. The second resident evil killed off the idea of nemesis though which i dislike.