Retro Film Review: Resident Evil (2002)

(SPECIAL NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)

Big screen adaptations of popular video games are often viewed as a daunting challenge, yet there are filmmakers who excel in this realm. Paul W.S. Anderson has established such a reputation through his work on Mortal Kombat. A few years later, he embarked on adapting Resident Evil, a Japanese video game considered a pioneer in the horror survival genre. The culmination of Anderson's efforts resulted in the 2002 film that spawned its own franchise.

The plot unfolds in the near future within a vast underground laboratory owned by the Umbrella Corporation, a business entity whose products are found in 90% of American households. Unbeknownst to consumers, Umbrella primarily profits from biogenetic research, much of which is conducted in the "Hive," an extensive underground lab complex. A catastrophic release of the deadly T-virus leads to the contamination and demise of 500 scientists and officials within the complex. A team of special operatives ventures into the "Hive" for investigation, aided solely by Alice (portrayed by Milla Jovovich), an amnesiac woman with a past as a security agent for "Umbrella." Their mission involves confronting the "Red Queen," a supercomputer that has trapped them to contain the viral outbreak, along with battling a horde of ravenous zombies spawned by the virus.

Those anticipating intricate plots, compelling characters, or profound social commentary may find Resident Evil lacking. Anderson, who penned the script, prioritises the game's core concept - combatting zombies in dim passageways - resulting in a film catering to fans of horror action. The Berlin studios effectively enhance the somewhat surreal ambiance, complemented by a techno soundtrack. Drawing inspiration from genre classics like Aliens, Resident Evil features not one but two formidable female leads. Michelle Rodriguez delivers a strong performance, yet Milla Jovovich shines as the standout star. Despite her scantily clad appearance throughout, Jovovich proves her acting mettle and carries the film as an action heroine. While her potential was acknowledged but underutilised by her ex-husband Luc Besson, Anderson avoids repeating this misstep. However, instances arise where Resident Evil feels incomplete or falls short of its potential, particularly in scenes featuring the underutilised German actress Heike Makatsch. Nevertheless, flaws notwithstanding, "Resident Evil" merits recommendation as an imperfect yet generally enjoyable piece of genre cinema.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted here.)

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