Style over substance

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 2013)

Alice is stripped of her T-virus enhancing powers continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to Arcadia, however, with more zombies, T-virus mutants and Umbrella Corporation personnel it's not going to be easy.
Boasting being the first live-action movie based on a video game to be in 3-D The intriguing set up of Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) for a clone orientated sequel is dolefully all wrapped up in the opening minutes of Afterlife. The originals director/writer Paul W.S. Anderson thankfully returns the reigns and puts the series on track, especially by making our heroine more human and like the character of Resident Evil (2002).
Milla is made for the role of Alice and looks particularly in shape and focused in this action orientated continuation of the Capcom game adaptation, as too is Ali Larter as Claire Redfield, although she is underutilised.
Gamer fans will be pleased with appearance of game baddies and Chris Redfield played by Wentworth Miller. Boris Kodjoe is has a lot of screen presence, however, his and many of the other characters are not fleshed out or have enough dialogue nor time to make an impact. Afterlife lacks the depth and foreboding atmosphere of the first film but is more fun than Apocalypse and Extinction despite the hammy acting and overuse of slow-mo.
The Redfield bother sister relationship is left unexplored and there appears to be a lot of missed opportunities. That said, these threads may turn up in future squeals, however, you can't help feel a little short changed as the plot feels to just scratch the surface.
There's still a lot to like, zombies, guns, sword-play and explosions. Fantastic stunts, great sets, costumes, special effects and a pumping score. Sienna Gilroy's cameo sets it up for another tantalising sequel, however, every instalment in the series has done the same, let's just hope RE5 delivers in all departments.
Overall, Resident Evil: Afterlife is immense sci-fi fun, but alas chooses style over substance.