Video games and movies have a very turbulent and not very successful history. It seems that crossovers either way don’t seem to work out. Most video games based on movies seem to be cash-in for the fan crowd without any real substance, and movies based on video games generally don’t deliver the goods either. There are a few slight deviations from this general rule, and you could place the Resident Evil movie in this category. The original game came out on the Playstation and was one of the scariest experiences of the time. The original movie captured this very well and set up an interesting universe for us to enjoy. Later instalments of the series failed to deliver the same positive results. This fourth instalment is the studio’s (hopefully) final attempt to cash in on the series.
Much like the recent Saw movie, some “smart” studio exec had a Eureka moment when he pitched the idea of Resident Evil embracing 3D technology. Now I admit that I actually enjoyed Avatar quite a bit, even though the story was a thinly veiled Titanic in space and I fully support 3D technology enhancing the movie experience. However I do have a problem when movies are made specifically to cash in on 3D, forgetting “minor” details like story or any credible acting in the process. 3D should not be a way to disguise a poorly made film, and sadly this is exactly what we get with Resident Evil.
The story follows on from the previous film, in which Alice (Milla Jovovich) sends her friends off on a chopper to find the supposed safe haven of Arcadia. I followed, with very lukewarm interest, the overall story of the series, and even I was somewhat confused by the premise. Is Alice a clone? Which Alice is real? Does she lose her powers? These are all questions that make following the story of this film very difficult. After the confusing intro, the movies turns into your standard “we are surrounded by zombies and need to get out somehow” scenario explored in great (and unnecessary) detail in the previous films. Without giving away the ending, it seems the makers of this film have left the door wide open for yet another shameless cash-in, but I am optimistic that this door will slam shut for good after this instalment.
Afterlife is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the gentleman responsible for the original movie in the series, as well as some credible action flicks in Mortal Kombat, Aliens Vs. Predator and Dead or Alive. Given his combined action and video game credentials you would expect him to do better. If you completely switch you brain off and just enjoy the handful of fairly well made action sequences you will at least get some enjoyment from this movie. Milla happens to be this lucky man’s wife, and the camera absolutely loves her. If you felt like you didn’t get enough of Milla running in slow motion in her previous movies, this will be heaven, as it seems the only way she knows how to run and shoot is in slow motion.
Overall though this doesn’t justify this movie’s existence and Afterlife should be avoided by anyone who is not brain-dead or is such a fan of the series that they simply cannot resist going back for more zombie frills.
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