Resident Evil... Milla Jovovich... zombies... in Real 3D, it's any gamer's dream come true. The fourth installation of arguably the most successful video game film adaptation of all-time is delivered in true style courtesy of Death Race writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson. These days, trilogies just aren't enough for franchises and it seems like a good time to resurrect just about any popular character from the past. The difference with Resident Evil is that it's following in the wake of the game, which seems to churn out a brand new game (and now movie) every couple of years. Anderson is back at the helm, after two directors filled in for him in Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Resident Evil: Extinction. He's claimed writing credits throughout the series and has taken to fulfilling his vision for this episode too.
"In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Jovovich), continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead - and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap." - Screen Gems
Resident Evil: Extinction was set in the dust lands and derived a gritty nomadic feel from the surroundings. Resident Evil: Afterlife reverses completely with almost half the film being set by or on the sea. Water plays a much bigger part, probably a result of using 3D - making the slow-motion splashes more dramatic and eye-catching. As usual, the cast is comprised of fresh meat with Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) making an appearance alongside Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter, who actually look like sisters at some turns. The rest of the ensemble is made up of lesser knowns with up-and-coming stars Boris Kodjoe and Shawn Roberts making the most significant contributions.
This is still Milla Jovovich's movie and she commands the majority of screen time looking cool and sexy, while kicking ass. She's one of the only Hollywood stars that can pull it off and she does it so well that the character of Alice seems to be an aspect of Jovovich rather than an actual performance. This role works for her, since she's a competent actress, yet her prime attributes are regarded as her physical abilities and her sex appeal. When she flips a shotgun and loads a zombie full of coins, we believe it... it's violent, it's beautiful and that's what sells Resident Evil.
The 3D technology used in Resident Evil: Afterlife is phenomenal - using the same fusion camera technology that was used for James Cameron's monolithic blockbuster, Avatar. This is a zombie sci-fi, horror, thriller with loads of action, so if you take it too seriously, you're watching for the wrong reason. It's a commercial zombie video game adaptation so there's plenty of slow-motion shots to make it look super cool and give us a chance to marvel at the film-making technology. Resident Evil: Afterlife's 3D is exploited for the wow factor and to make the whole experience more in-your-face and exciting.
Most 3D films that want to be taken seriously, tend to downplay the technology in favour of going for a less gimmicky and immersive feel. Resident Evil 4 has literally thrown a grenade amongst the zombies by embracing the technology, making the landscape shots feel as though you could walk out onto the beach and the Matrix-inspired action shots even more incredible. Afterlife's played up for the thrills... and they're not afraid to nail their blood-soaked colours to the mast.
The story moves from one locale to the next with each dilemma getting more and more life threatening as the band of heroes knock over each "boss" like an old school video game. It's on par with most video game plots and makes this one all about the action, sex appeal, zombie killing frenzy and dopamine levels. There's an element of the Matrix, The Terminator and Deus Ex in this new addition to the series, mainly derived from Shawn Roberts as Umbrella operative Albert Wesker. He's a new prototype, an Agent Smith and an agent for the Umbrella corporation - even donning a pair of dark sunglasses.
All in all, Resident Evil: Afterlife is another solid kick-ass zombie sequel to forward the Resident Evil franchise. The film has a slick new minimalistic skin with 3D technology giving it a much sharper edge. This is a classic case of style over substance - making this one all about the action and visual effects. Resident Evil: Afterlife is proud of being a superficial, blood-splattered, apocalyptic, zombie virus, evil corporation vendetta showdown. It's unapologetically violent, bloody and customised for fans of the video game, the series and zombie movies.
The bottom line: Thrilling.
