Better than the first...

Rating: 8/10 (11 September 2005)

Unfortunately, for me I am a Resident Evil nerd, housing all the games and the books! The original RE was good but not on a video game level. What I mean is, if someone never played Resident Evil I wouldn't tell them to see the original to understand why its so popular. It would appear that the creators of the movie were not gunning to make the first RE anything like the game but, just the idea so people could get a feel for the storyline. Regardless of this it was still a good movie. Its sequel Resident Evil: Apocalypse in my opinion totally surpassed the first just because it WAS video game based. To me if your going to remake something esp. a video game it should be true to form and as ACCURATE as possible. For example, people who aren't die hard RE fans wouldn't know that yes, Sienna Guillory did look like Jill Valentine, however, Jill's hair was sandy brown not black. Jill didn't smoke, and she definitely didn't have "Im a tough b*tch and I'm in charge" attitude. Even in the 3rd game where Jill has been through this situation already she was never arrogant. I think they portrayed Jill that way and I didn't care to much for it. I know its Hollywood and things change for movies sake, but come on, you couldn't find a bottle of light brown hair dye? As for Carlos and Nicholai. Nicholai was in his fifties and Carlos was in his early twenties. Oded Fehr was to old to play the part of Carlos and Zack Ward to young to be Nicholai. Again I know that its a movie but this are little things that they could have gotten right.
Even though Alice (Milla) has absolutely no relation to the game what-so-ever her character brought so much to RE as a movie. Giving you a back story that definitely "fits" into the game world as a possibility allowing Alice to head the storyline. I love Milla and think she does an excellent job in both movies. If anything see this movie to watch Milla Kick A**! She definitely fits as a strong, powerful woman, but still feminine. They couldn't have casted anyone better for the part.
The biggest thing about this movie that would have MADE it for gamers was the "Nemesis" Any one who knows RE games immediately recognized this terror! They depicted the Nemesis to a T! It was incredible to learn it was an actual person in a costume! Everything from head to toe was absolutely perfect! They did an amazing job on Nemesis! Perfect! Overall, this one definitely went above and beyond the original. Mabe I just feel that way because this was the type of RE remake I was waiting for. Although I have to be honest. I would love to see them remake the 1st game! As accurate to the game as possible. Then, I would wowed! Bottom Line: See it, you won't be disappointed!