love it or loath it

Rating: Null/10 (19 March 2002)

Resident Evil. What does this movie contribute to the horror genre?
Although it is the first main stream big budget american zombie movie in a decade or so, this movie falls short of being a classic horror for several reasons:
1. Soundtrack. Why is it that so many horror movies are little more than a vehicle to sell a soundtrack? Mostly, the soundtrack worked the pumping dark techno added to the futuristic suspense, but everytime there was a song with lyrics, it cheapens the film.
2. CGI. Not having ever played RE, I don't really see what the mutants really contribute to the movie. I'm sure the sequel will make this make more sense. Personally the zombies were much more scary than the tongue monster. When is hollywood going to learn that audiences are not scared by CGI monsters, we say, wow that's cool, and then get scared by something as cheap as someone grabbing another person in a tense situation. But anyways.
The Good:
The zombies were fantastic. Some people think that they were cheap looking. Have you ever seen one of the best horror movies ever? Dawn of the Dead? The zombies in that are little more than people with grey pancake makeup on. In RE the zombies have creative makeup, and most have some icky wounds. I loved the scene where they opened the door and all the zombies came rushing out (ripped off of dawn of the dead, but its about time someone ripped off a good movie for once instead of scream), it was one of the best scares, eventhough anyone who's seen Dawn knows whats coming.
Milla was also great. She kicked major butt! And she did it wearing the least amount of clothing possible. If that's what women will be wearing in the future, build me a time machine. The supporting actors, while underdeveloped, added to the story (except for Rain, who was annoying, and i couldn't wait for her demise).
The flashbacks Milla had were also wonderful. Very very eerie, especially the lab scene and the graveyard. By the way, the german chick playing Lisa, we American audiences need more of her. She would've made a great zombie.
The other really great thing: The red queen. The film makers have stumbled upon the best horror theory: little girls with english accents are beyond creepy. If you don't believe me, watch the others, or the innocents.
With the exception of minor flaws, this was a good movie, not a classic, but for a video game inspired plot starring a supermodel, this movie went way above my expectations.
Please be warned though, seeing Milla nude at the end of the movie is not sexy at all. Don't expect to pop some wood, amazingly the filmmaker has managed to make us repulsed by her nudity, you'll understand once you've seen it.
7.5 out of 10 for a horror 9 out of 10 for a video game inspired movie (even that can't make me forget the CGI monster)