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News 
Resident Evil Movie -- REVIEWED
- Posted By Mike
Schneider, 03.19.2002
- Review by: Mike Ryan
Resident evil: the movie
Well, folks, it seems as though the old “videogame-to-movie” curse has been lifted.
Let us forget the Super Mario Brothers, Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation movies. We gamers finally have a movie based on a game to be proud about. At the risk of sounding like every movie critic, Resident Evil is a mile-a-second thrill ride. Smart, scary, and sexy – Resident Evil will appease fans of the game and newcomers alike.
OK, on with the review.
Aesthetics (visual effects)
Every piece of scenery in Resident Evil stays true to the game. As a matter of fact, some are taken directly from the RE games! From the mansion to the underground laboratory, everything gives off that creepy “you know there’s a zombie here somewhere” aura.
The zombies look downright, well, zombie-like. With a heavy mixture of makeup and special effects, the zombies in Resident Evil could not be any more perfect. The fully-CGI Licker, while not completely realistic-looking, is still a sight to behold. At least it’s a hell of a lot better then the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns.
Sound
The sound effects in RE very well could have been taken directly from the game. Before we even get to see our zombie friends, we can just barely hear them through the ventilation, their moans blended with the sound of rushing air. And with any pop-out scary movie, the sound does an excellent job of adding to the scare factor.
The music also mixes well with the movie. With songs by such artists as Marilyn Manson and Slipknot, the intensity level of certain scenes is raised much higher.
Gameplay (plot)
It is kind of hard to exactly figure out where the Resident Evil movie fits in the timeline of the games. From what I can gather, the movie is a prequel to the first Resident Evil game. But by the time the movie ends, Resident Evil 3 is just beginning.
If you played the game, then you would know the plot. Raccoon City is a town built around the Umbrella Corporation, a company that, like Microsoft, owns a monopoly on many appliances, and makes horrible videogame systems. Well, Umbrella doesn’t make videogame systems, but you get the idea. Deep underground in the Hive (the Umbrella laboratory), an “accident” occurs, and the T-Virus spreads into the ventilation system. The laboratory’s automatic defense system executes a lock-down, and the workers are left for un-dead. A team of special force operatives (we all know them as S.T.A.R.S.) is sent in under the impression that the Red Queen (the AI in the Hive) has a few loose chips, and needs to be shut down. But of course, all is not as it seems to be. Throughout the movie, we are treated to shocking plot twists, kick-ass action sequences, and an ending that screams, “SEQUEL!” The plotline in RE definitely stays true to the game, and once the action starts, it does not let up for a second.
Control (directing & acting)
The main character is played by the sexy – and yes, guys, naked – Milla Jovovich. While her character’s background is pretty much a mystery, we can gather that she has a military background, and was trying to take down the vicious corporation. But who cares about her background – just staring at her for 100 minutes is worth the 9 bucks. Milla does an excellent acting job in the movie, and if she doesn’t sign up for the sequel, I’ll be pretty PO’ed. The other actors in the movie are all very talented, especially Michelle Rodriguez (of The Fast and the Furious), but let’s face it kids – they’re pretty much there for the body count.
There are some people that do not like Paul Anderson’s directing abilities. Personally, I think he is an excellent director. I loved Event Horizon, and Resident Evil was a perfect movie for him to direct. I only wonder how it would have been if George Romero (Night of the Living Dead) hadn’t been taken off the project. Regardless, Resident Evil was directed perfectly, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Multiplayer
Go see this movie with your buddies! This is NOT a date movie – unless your significant other really likes gory zombie movies. If she does, well then it’s all that much better. But Resident Evil is the perfect movie to get some of your friends together, sit back, and have yourself a blast.
Overall
This movie MUST be watched in theatres. You simply cannot retain that feeling by renting it. If you even remotely enjoyed the game, you need to see this movie. If you never heard of the game, you need to see this movie. It is a fun movie, and if the upcoming game is anything like the movie, we’re all in for a real treat.
P.S. – if anyone from Capcom or Screen Gems films is reading this review, please take this plea from a die-hard Resident Evil fan. I’m begging you -- put Barry in Resident Evil 2! He was the coolest character in the first game, primarily because he said “Hell” so many times. That is all.
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