About time...

Rating: Null/10 (24 March 2002)

Let's talk Zombies. When you talk Zombies four names come up; George Romero, who started it all; Dario Argento, who branched off with his own lovely visual feasts of gore; Lucio Fulci, the master of Italian zombies; and Tom Savini who directed the superb 1990 color remake of Night of the Living Dead. It may be time to throw in a fifth name. Paul Anderson's film has finally sated my longtime need for a new and WORTHY zombie film!
While critics are too busy complaining about how many movies they say are "imitated" in Resident Evil-so busy in fact that they've forgotten to have fun; it's obvious that Paul Anderson-or someone on his crew-is paying attention not only to the official zombie films that started it all, but the fans of the original psychologically unnerving films. Not only does Resident Evil follow the "rules" of the Romero trilogy, he also threw in a few homages for those of us who "know" our zombie films the way some know a good wine or cigar. Look for the beautifully redone "Day of the Dead" scene where a member of the team is pulled into a sea of arms of zombies. Listen closely to the music at the end of the film (composed and performed by Marilyn Manson, who has proved with the score that he has talent beyond visual shock), the music was obviously meant to mimic the sound of The Goblins who did the music for "Dawn of the Dead." And the all-time kicker, THE DEAD WALK newspaper headline at the end of the film. Straight out of the beginning of "Day of the Dead." I may just be one of the few of my general age group (25) who are lucky enough to have seen the films that started it all. Its hard to believe how many people I've met who haven't seen the original trilogy! Resident Evil was without a doubt an excellent supplement to the trilogy and remake. I definetly include it among the ranks of "Zombie," "Night of the Living Dead," "Dawn of the Dead," "Day of the Dead," "The Gates of Hell," "The House by the Cemetery" and others. If you want to talk actors, Mila Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez and not only pleasing to the eye, but they have proved themselves worthy and talented in playing "tough chicks." Screw the critics. I loved it, I only hope that those pesky rumors of sequels are true!