Resident Evil

Resident Evil: Apocalypse - Special Edition DVD comes as a two disc set offering all the goodies a movie buff needs. You've got all the special features, deleted scenes, audio commentary plus options on how you want to view the movie making it an excellent package. The boys are back in town (so to speak) at least as far as the zombies, and so is our female hereon Alice played by actress Milla Jovovich. This time Alice is stronger than ever with teeth, or is it Nemesis her bio-engineered bud that has the razor edge teeth looking like something right out of the 1992 Hellraiser III horror flick.


The cast and characters overall presentation met my expectations, if not exceeded them when compared to the first Resident Evil. The attractive Milla Jovovich is in excellent physical condition, and the action sequences are fantastic, while I am still waffling on Jovovich’s acting ability, she definitely fit the role of the strong, daring and lovely hereon. Mike Epps comedic relief was a welcome surprise throughout the film, but on the whole it was probably unnecessary since this movie main theme is about kicking the smack out of zombies. Sienna Guillory performance shined through all of the dark and bloody mayhem like a syringe in a hospital as her character brought its own sharp appeal to the film. Ladies don’t have to worry about their eye candy as actors Oded Fehr and Jared Harris create the life saving hunk factor for the movie.


Resident Evil: Apocalypse quickly lets its audience know that the Umbrella Corporation is everywhere taking over society’s news and culture. Those of us that have always been suspicious of large corporations will easily understand, since most major news stations show television viewers the same exact story as if we all need the appropriate programming. If the first version of Resident Evil was the prequel to the video game, then Resident Evil: Apocalypse puts you right inside the arcade. I really like the something old; something new and something borrowed texture this film conveys. Film buffs will enjoy watching footage from old sets from other films as this film gives a replica low budget aroma to all the brilliant and interesting familiar resources presented here.


While this film will please its target audience and of course roll playing gamers, however it may not appeal to all audiences. For example former Enron executives much like the Umbrella Corporation might find the anti-big-business theme offensive. The profane language and use of the F word is in the introductory dialogue between our two lead female characters sets the tone for this flick. There is some brief nudity but not gratuitous sex scenes unless you want to label staring into the human eyes of Nemesis an erotic moment. The major concern in this film is its level of violence, for example the sadistic gunplay is non-stop reminiscent of the actual arcade game only you don’t have a virtual gun. With that said, this film is appropriately rated R and is not suitable for children for obvious reasons noted above.


The special effects in this film are awesome and at times dramatically intense. Fortunately with the special edition DVD you can slow things down since some action scene go by fast. What I discovered is that the films trailers included on the disc and shown on TV are a lot slower than the actual scenes in the movie. For example, viewers really don't get to see the extensive footage of the monsters with the long tongues in the church, they move so quickly never giving the viewer a real close up or snap shot.


Sci-fi horror fans that didn't get to watch this in the theater will be disappointed only if they are watching it on your 13-inch screen. My recommendation is to watch this on your big flat screen TV. There are simply too many details that you will miss watching it on a small screen TV, plus the setting is extremely dark and at time the zombies are hard to distinguish.


Overall I am giving Resident Evil: Apocalypse - Special Edition DVD four stars. The stunts are well done and the shadowy cinematography is good for this type of movie. The films target audience won’t be disappointed as fans of the first film will be delighted with this memorable keep sake package. This is the type of flick you pull out when you are entertaining friends, naturally the kids are in bed and the conversation has grown more intense.