Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)

It’s happening again! Yes, after 25 years, Twin Peaks is finally returning to the screen and I couldn’t be more excited. David Lynch and the Twin Peaks series are  two of the main reasons that I wanted to become a writer. While I knew this was on the horizon, I decided to clear my mind in preparation. That is when I decided to pick up a film from one of my favorite franchises with 2016s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.

Plot/ Alice returns to where the nightmare began: The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.

Let me start off by saying that this has been one of my favorite zombie themed series and I was sad to hear that this was gong to be the final chapter. Fortunately, they decided to go out with a bang. While many people will not enjoy this mindless trip into Raccoon City for a final time (and understandably so), the non0stop action and gore is enough to keep you at least entertained if you can suspend belief for the duration. Yes, there are some strange decisions that lead to holes in the continuity between films and there are definitely some head scratching moments that actually make the movie overly predictable, but those are easily overlooked in the grand scheme. As a film, the action is well paced, the performances were solid, the gore worked, and some of the storyline did add some interesting twists to the franchise as a whole. In the end, this may not be the best movie in the series, but it was entertaining and perfect for some late night zombie fun. Not for everyone, but if you can suspend belief for a couple hours, it can be a great mindless entry.

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

With my first post retirement ceremony Veteran’s Day weekend drawing to a close, I am at least happy that both the Steelers and Mountaineers won this weekend (ironically both games were in Cincinnati). Hopefully, that is a trend that continues and both teams will have successful seasons. Hmmm, with the rest of the family stealing the TV, I guess it is time to finish my reviews of the Resident Evil series, with the 2010 installment Resident Evil: Afterlife.

Plot/ While still out to destroy the evil Umbrella Corporation, Alice joins a group of survivors who want to relocate to the mysterious but supposedly unharmed safe haven known only as Arcadia.

Of all of the movies in this series, this one was the least enjoyable and weakest overall effort. The storyline (which was usually solid) was all over the place, the characterization was non-existent, and the acting was uneven (not to mention there was really no horror element at all). Sure, there were some very good action scenes and special effects, but that in no way helps save this from mediocrity. In the end, this action / adventure flick lacks everything (except Milla) that made the others successful, stay away!

Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)

Tonight was productive in a manner of speaking, I got a bingo kit complete with daubers and trolls as a retirement gift from the daughters and I finished two OOAK zombies that I will eventually get online. Awesome…  So, as I sit here watching a marathon of the television show Oddities, I decided to continue my journey through the realm of Resident Evil. My last review for the evening is on the third installment of the franchise, 2007s, Resident Evil: Extinction.

Plot/ Survivors of the Raccoon City catastrophe travel across the Nevada desert, hoping to make it to Alaska. Alice joins the caravan and their fight against the evil Umbrella Corp.

This, the third installment, was actually another decent entry in this series, seemingly combining the finer points of the first two flicks and creating a surprisingly good sequel. There are some similarities between the movies so far, the ever-changing story is backed by awesome scenery, the acting is solid and honestly, this one had a lot of interesting and well done special effects. If there was one downfall, it was that this one truly lacked detailed characterization, with important details of the group’s background being left out. As I have said before, I never played the video games, so that info could be inherent, but I would never know. In the end, this was an entertaining flick that sits just a notch below the first two in my eyes. If you haven’t seen this sequel, check it out.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

As I prepare for a day at volleyball tryouts with the girls, I decided to finish my review of the second installment of the Resident Evil series. This flick, Resident Evil: Apocalypse from 2004 was more than just an ample follow-up, it may be the high point of the series. On a last note, there is still time to get involved in tomorrow's short film filming at the Evans City Cemetery (Evans Ciy,  PA) benefitting the save the NOTLD chapel.

Plot/ Alice comes to in Raccoon City, only to find it has become infested with zombies and monsters. With the help of Jill Valentine and Carlos Olivera, Alice must find a way out of the city before it is destroyed by a nuclear missile.

Of all of the Resident Evil movies, I honestly think this is my favorite and I also believe that it is a touch better than the first installment. This one featured a better atmosphere; one that was eerie and heavy, and a sense of immanent dread that the first seemed to lack.  The pacing was tremendous, the locations and scenery were solid, and the male-up (Nemesis was awesome) and effects had their moments (as did the acting). Sure, there was nothing really new or groundbreaking with this one, but it was more than just another sequel and again Milla was perfect as Alice. Yes, this again was more action / adventure than horror, but it is definitely worth watching if you get the chance and haven’t seen it.

Resident Evil (2002)

As I was looking for a movie last night, I decided to watch something with a zombie theme. This Sunday my friends over at the Save the Chapel movement are filming a short zombie flick at the Evans City Cemetery and unfortunately I cannot make it (for details on this shoot - check out their website or facebook page). Oh well, with this being Veterans Day Weekend, I decided to watch something I could focus on all weekend, so my choice was the Resident Evil series. First up for review, the one that started it all, Resident Evil from 2002.

Plot/ A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident.

I will admit I have never played a Resident Evil video game, so for me watching the movies was my way into the ethos (something I like to do not being a gamer). This film was the first and possibly best of the series. Yes, there were some cliché zombie moments that were detractors, but those were few and far between. This flick was much more than cliché, featuring a nice blend of action, tension and horror, while laying out a layered storyline.  The atmosphere, acting, cinematography and pacing were all solid, not to mention a tremendous soundtrack and some great special effects that worked perfectly for the mood of the film. Milla Jovovich was ideal for the role of Alice (the rest of the cast too bad either) and did a masterful job throughout. Sure, this was not truly a horror or zombie movie, featuring more action and adventure than terror, but that does not matter. In the end, this was one of the flicks that re-energized the zombie movement and one that should be watched not because it was a video game, but because it is truly entertaining.