Needed better focus in many areas

Rating: 4/10 (27 October 2015)

"Resident Evil" is the first of the film series that adapted the popular video game franchise into the world of movies. Milla Jovovich was chosen to lead the franchise after her success on "The Fifth Element". I can only speak about this first entry to the series as I have not seen the other ones, but I was not impressed at all. These 100 minutes (with credits) had basically everything you'd expect from a weak action movie that relies on spectacular effects and sacrifices story for it. They included stuff like love relationships, sex, nudity etc. to make this look slightly more interesting, but none of these aspects received a convincing elaboration. It all just felt thrown in for the sake of it.
I will not deny that this is a film worth watching for its technical aspects and there are some decent scenes actually, but it's all shallow and unconvincing if the characters are so badly written like it is case here. By the way, the monster humans reminded me a bit of the walkers on "Walking Dead". Interesting aspect that they also included the idea that they were dead already despite still moving with the clotted blood reference. But that was one of really not too many smart aspects from this film. Jovovich and Rodriguez may be very attractive, but in terms of acting I'm not too sure if they can carry a franchise like that. Admittedly, you have to say in their favor that their male co-actors were even more forgettable. It is the same like almost any other Bernd Eichinger production and Paul W.S. Anderson film: A lot of style over substance and just not a great story or great writing. Forgettable movie and it's odd to see this has 3 sequels already with number 4 in the making. I really hope the quality gets better, but judging from this one here, I do not have much intention to watch the other films soon. Not recommended.