Paul Anderson, the director of such previous sci-fi turkeys as EVENT
HORIZON, SOLDIER and MORTAL COMBAT, is back again with another loud,
over-the-top picture. Based on a video game that's hopefully more fun than
the movie, RESIDENT EVIL is a special effects film that also has some humans
in it, although most of them are members of the undead who keep stumbling
around looking for their next meal.
The story is set in "The Hive," which is a top secret bio-warfare research
facility that is buried a half-mile under Raccoon City. The Umbrella
Corporation runs the place with a take-no-prisoners approach to their
employees. The computer in charge, the Red Queen, is willing to kill
everyone when threatened, as she is in this story. HAL was a sweetheart
compared to her.
The movie stars Milla Jovovich, who has many names, one of which is, of
course, Alice. Although she doesn't act per se, Jovovich does spend
considerable amounts of time looking concerned and confused. You'll be
confused as well since the script isn't the most lucid. This is no problem
since there are only two ways possible to enjoy RESIDENT EVIL: 1) kick back
and watch video game effects on the big screen or 2) just laugh at it all.
I recommend the latter.
The hardest part to believe is that a special gas has erased from the mind
of a character, played by James Purefoy, the fact that he had recently made
mad, passionate love with Milla Jovovich. Me, I'd remember.
RESIDENT EVIL runs 1:40. It is rated R for "strong sci-fi/horror violence,
language and sexuality/nudity" and would be acceptable for older teenagers.
Copyright © 2002 Steve Rhodes
out of 4
