Surprisingly enjoyable

Rating: 7/10 (20 March 2002)

This movie has guilty pleasure written all over it: it has no character development, little revealed plot (it's like an installment of the games - you're never sure all of what has happened or that will happen in the future), and, ultimately, no point, but - unless you're adamantly opposed to either zombie or video game movies - it's hard to deny how creepy and fun this film truly is. "Resident Evil" has more than its fair share of genuine frights, some nice effects, and very few instances of incredulity when it comes to keeping certain characters alive - something that's plagued more than a few thrillers recently (MI2, Gladiator, to name a few). Yes, the suspense in this film is actual suspense, i.e. in every scene there is the chance that the main characters could actually lose. The movie plays out very much like one of the games, which was enough for me to enjoy it.
That said, the movie has its flaws. People needing something deeper than close calls, gore, and death to enjoy the film will be let down. And there was certainly opportunity for the film to be more than just another installment of the game. There was definitely room for character development, which may not have seemed necessary for game purists (because, naturally, in the game you assume the main character's identity and can identify with their horror in that manner), but usually it is for movies. There is little room for personal attachment to the characters in the film, which is a small let down, good as some of the frights are. The movie also could have initiated us more in the workings of the Umbrella Corporation. There's a strong anti-corporation message under all this gore, but it never gets fully realized.
Still, an overall enjoyable film. The laserbeam scene will go down in film history. Not for the squeamish.
Matty J 7/10