by Julianne Snow:
Installments:
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Review:
As a franchise, Resident Evil stands out as one of the best out there. Part of the reason for that is the consistency in the writing. Each of the films was written by Paul W.S. Anderson and you can tell where he has envisioned the series to be headed from the first movie. His grasp on the Umbrella Corporation and the characters of the video games is second to none.
Back in the late 1990s, I had heard that George A. Romero had been asked to write the script for the adaptation of the game to the screen. That script, however, was scraped mainly due in part to its similarities with the progression of the video game. I can’t help but wonder what Romero’s version would have looked like…
With Anderson’s versions, you don’t need to be a gamer to enjoy them. Players of the game and moviegoers alike can certainly appreciate the films for what they are. The characters in the franchise have not all remained constant, but you develop an understanding of the role that each of them played within the scope of the entire plot. Milla Jovovich is flawless as Alice and honestly, I cannot think of a better actor to play the part. The additions of Michelle Rodriguez as Rain Ocampo, Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine, Mike Epps as LJ, and Ali Larter as Claire Redfield are only a small example of the talent you’ll find within.
The aspect of the movie that deals with the T-Virus, zombies, monsters, and the like is superb. The action is non-stop and each time you think you’re just going to get just another zombie movie, Anderson introduced something new to be scared of.
As a whole, the franchise sets the bar high. Is it going to win an Academy Award? Probably not, as critics tend to pick those pieces that appeal to a wider subset of the population. Will fans appreciate the action, humour, and characterization developed along the way? Absolutely. If you haven’t seen any of the films, why the heck not? They do appeal to more than the zombie lovers out there!
DarkMedia contributor Julianne Snow was first lulled into the horror genre by her parents during an ill-advised viewing of Alien when she was only 4 years old. Since that date, it’s been a given that Julianne will watch and read anything that is horror related. Her short fiction has appeared in anthologies from Sirens Call Publications and Open Casket Press, as well as The Sirens Call and various other websites showcasing short fiction. She is the author of the Days with the Undead series, which can be found on her website dayswiththeundead.com. Her first novel, Days with the Undead: Book One was published in early 2012 and is based on her popular web serial. Find her on Twitter @CdnZmbiRytr.
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