Resident Evil continues once again to bring mind blowing action and Zombie to the very top of the pile

Rating: 9/10 (15 September 2010)

I guess, although I don't think of it often, the entire Resident Evil Series must be considered one of my favourite series of films of all time. I haven't scored one of them less than a 9 and this is no exception. Its even more mind blowing to think this is based off of a video game series that long before this film series I thought could make a great movie series but no one would ever do it properly but that just isn't so. The entire series packs science fiction, horror, action, thriller into one perfect conglomeration. The story carries throughout and they tie all the ends together while still creating a solid individual story for this film. Resident Evil Afterlife isn't pure artistic brilliance (shocker I know) but it is cold hard entertainment and sometimes that is the best film you can walk into.
Milla Jovovich reprises her role as one of the best action heroes to ever grace the screen. Alice has gone through so many different evolutions (no pun intended) since the very first film and she continues to prove she is the hero of the story. Jovoich has had good roles and bad but she certainly sinks her teeth into a story and really tries to make it come to life. No one could replace her in this series. Ali Larter also returns to her role as video game hero Claire Redfield. Similar to her previous performance in Extinction she does well but seems to slip into the background when compared to Jovovich. Where Jovovich gets to really kick butt Larter is more the sex symbol although she has an incredible battle against the Axeman. Shawn Roberts takes over as Albert Wesker and does an awesome job. While the character might seem a little campy at times he still makes for a true kick butt villain that must come back!! Roberts looks the part and it would be great to see him come back. Newcomer to the cast is Wentworth Miller, someone I have come to know and love through Prison Break and had a lot of expectations for him. The unfortunate part is I think he could have done a lot better. I don't think they gave Chris Redfield a lot of depth or purpose in this film which is unfortunate because I think the character and Miller could really knock it out of the park. Kim Coates, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Spencer Locke, Boris Kodjoe, Kacey Barnfield, and Norman Yeung make up the supporting cast that are okay in their roles but mostly fodder necessary for the gore and action.
Say what you will about director, writer and producer Paul Anderson but he really does care about entertaining. Some professional reviewers say he has too many ideas and doesn't know how to make them happen and I can see where they get that but the simple fact is Afterlife and the previous Resident Evil films are simply entertaining beginning to end making it the best action, the best horror, and the best science fiction film series in years. There are a few key elements to Afterlife. First of all this is probably most likely the film that is most based on the video game series, or at least has the most references...Wesker, Redfields, Jill, the dogs, the Executioner (or the Axeman as he is known), and even the twist at the end...I'm probably leaving something out but there is plenty for game fans (especially of Resident Evil 5) to notice. The second thing is of course the 3D. I am simply not a fan of this latest insane craze of 3D films. I think its cheesy and takes away from losing yourself in a film. That being said the 3D in Afterlife was done very well and while I don't think it adds anything whatsoever to the film...its fun to watch. Do yourself a favour right now and see the first three films and then rush out to see Afterlife because if you love any of the genre of films I mentioned you will be blown away by Afterlife beginning to end. I said in the very first review that if they could do as well as the first one I would come back as many times to as many sequels as they could make...now a fifth instalment is one of my most anticipated films of all time. 9/10