A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

The Evaluation System Reviews by Title Reviews by Date

Reviews from Video Reviews of the Classics Personal Background

Title: Resident Evil

Theatrical release: 2002

Details:

Milla Jovovich

Michelle Rodriguez

Eric Mabius

James Purefoy

Written & directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson

Score: -

The Review: Horror action thriller; pseudo-science fiction with zombies. Descended from the video game of the same name, with all the expected derivative intensity and drive, but absolutely lacking in any other characteristic, redeeming or otherwise. From the same director who brought you Event Horizon (1997) and Mortal Kombat (1995), if you happen to consider either of these as "good references."

The only video game that has yet translated well (better say, adequately) to the big screen was Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), where there was ample opportunity for back-story and character definition; on top of which, it had a wicked sense of humor, and an appropriate attitude. Mortal Kombat wasn't horrible, but its drive overpowered any character. Alas, Resident Evil is worse, much worse, than both of these.

"The Umbrella corporation: In the U.S., its products are in 9 out of 10 homes; its political and financial influence is everywhere; in public, it's the world-leading supplier of computer technology, medical products, and healthcare; unknown even to its own employees, its massive profits are generated by military technology, genetic experimentation, and viral weapons." Such is the ponderous set-up with which the movie opens, providing in a few seconds the back-story appropriate to a video game: i.e., the thinnest of veneer.

Chocked full of pseudo-science bullshit: I've never heard a "scientific" explanation of a zombie before, but some knowledge is just not worth spending the time to acquire it.

This movie has exactly the same pacing and structure of a video game -- no surprise! -- meaning that there's nearly non-stop action, but an essentially skeleton (no pun intended) plot ("escape!") and virtually no character development (other than recovering one's memory). Although marketed as a movie, Resident Evil is still a video game, and is not at all worth watching passively as entertainment. High SFX budget and pretty high production values for such a lousy movie. Periodically infused with a heavy metal score by Nine Inch Nails, Spineshank, and Slipknot.

A waste of time; not recommended.

(15-Sep-02)

Back to the chronological list of reviews