Better than Tomb Raider

Rating: 7/10 (18 March 2002)

And the summary just about says it all. What exactly about this movie makes it better than Tomb Raider? EVERYTHING.
1. Action- good, violent, tense, without being too bloody. 2. Characters- sure, they're two-dimensional at best, but Tomb Raider was one-dimensional at best. 3. Plot- Tomb Raider didn't have one that made any sense; Resident Evil has a very methodical plot, with a few sharp, predictable twists that make it enjoyable popcorn flickage. 4. Sequel set-up- never so blatant as in Resident Evil, but the movie still ends with a bang. 5. Music- Okay, no U2 in this one, folks. So maybe Tomb Raider wins one category.
Not a very good horror film at all, but a great action film, which puts it directly at odds with the game series. One good thing about the movie is that we finally find out exactly how the T-Virus got released. This is a huge plus. Another good thing is that none of the trademark characters from the games are involved directly, so the plot isn't fixed to their fates.
Most of the CG work is grisly real, and totally unnoticeable. The dialogue is sheer torture, and has no funny moments (I kept waiting for a vintage line like "the master of unlocking," but none was forthcoming). But the earnestness of the characters is sufficiently humorous that it leavens the deadpan seriousness of the film. I rated this one a seven; I wish the music had been better, and the dialogue sucked. But otherwise the execution is flawless.
One thing: parents, leave the kids at home! There were at least six kids under age 10 who saw this movie at the same time I did. Without exception, they were crying at certain points of the movie. This is just plain dumb. It's rated R for a reason.