June 26, 2011

Resident Evil (2002)

Uncovering Resident Evil: The Story of The Umbrella Corporation

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson (Monster Hunter)
Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Milla Jovovich (Ultravoilet), Colin Salmon, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes, Pasquale Aleardi, Liz May Brice

Story The Umbrella Cooperation are a well known family friendly company with appliances in every home. They use this as a cover for their own money making schemes of Viral weaponry. One of the virus was released killing everyone inside the facilities better known as The Hive. Alice (Milla Jovovich) lives above the Hive but wakes up with no memory meeting Matt (Eric Mabius) wandering around her home. A group on military people invade the home lead by James Shade (Colin Salmon) and including Rain Ocampo (Michelle Rodriguez), CHad Kaplan (Martin Crewes), J.D (Pasquale Aleardi) and Medic (Liz May Brice).

This team of elite solider has been set down into the Hive to discover what happened. Upon reaching the train down to the entrance of the Hive they find Spencer Parks (James Purefoy) who has also lost his memories from the after effects of the gas leaked into the higher levels. The team have three hours to discover what happened and get out before the Hive is locked. What follows in the series of events causing the Hive to get filled with the undead and a conspiracy to be revealed.

Verdict Based on the video game this is one of the better movie based on games and judging by the three sequels already out and one more on the way out this is a popular one too. Having it set in a enclosed facility makes us believe the virus can be contained. The overall story of the regaining memory of Alice adds to what will become a bigger picture to the franchise. The special effects are stand out for the time with some very over the top deaths scenes. The start of a very good franchise leaves you wanting more a great watch for all the game fans and non game fans.

Best quote Red Queen Computer ‘You’re all going to die down here’

Favourite character Rain takes no prisoners and takes a lot of through out the film

Best moment The killer laser room

Worst Moment Very small exposure of the super mutant

My Rating 83%

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

Resident Evil Afterlife: Alice Vs Umbrella Cooperation

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Milla Jovovich (Ultravoilet), Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts (Here For Blood), Sergio Peris-Mencheta, SPencer Locke, Boris Kodjoe, Wentworth Miller, Kacey Barrifield, Norman Young

Story Alice (Milla Jovovich) takes her battle against the Umbrella Cooperation to new levels by invading one of the underground facilities lead by Wesker (Shawn Roberts). After somehow escaping she heads of the Alaska to meet up with the party of people she set there including Claire Redfield (Ali Larter) and K-Mart (Spencer Locke). She finds nothings but a airplane graveyard before getting attacked by a brain washed Claire.

Alice finds a plane that work and set off looking for more survivors with Claire tied up trying to refuel her memory. Once they reach Hollywood they find some survivors on the roof of a prison surrounded by the undead. After an ambitious landing we meet the survivors. Lead by Luther West (Boris Kodjoe) we have Bennett (Kim Coates), Angel Oritz (Sergio Peris Mencheta), Crystal (Kacey Barnfield) Kim Yong (Norman Yeung) and Wendell (Fulvio Cecere). We also meet a favourite of the game series Chris Redfield (Wentworth Miller).

With the undead starting to break the barriers a super mutant Axeman leading this attack can our heroes get help from a near by boat with the same signal which lead Alice to Alaska?

Verdict This is one of the better sequels too the video game franchise to movie. Alice kick ass again learning more about her powers along the way. The introduction of more of the video game characters proves this franchise is still going strong. The 3D side of the film is bought off well throwing all sorts of things into the audience. Overall this is a good action horror well worth a watch for all fans.

Best quote Wesker ‘I’m what you used to be. Only Better’

Favourite character Alice because she keep coming and kicking ass

Stand out performance Shawn Roberts as Wesker strong performance and no emotional villain

Best moment Opening army of Alice breaking into the Umbrella cooperation

Worst Moment Killing off the supporting cast way to quickly

Cameo Alert Jill Valentine can be seen if you watch the credits

My Rating 78%