Fun movie, for a non-game fan

Rating: 7/10 (10 September 2004)

When I walked out of the theaters after seeing it, someone said "It followed the game a lot." I had to laugh to myself, because, that's far from the truth.
I noted only three instances in the movie that it was anything like the original game. 1: The inclusion of Nemesis, Carlos, and Jill. 2: Jill was dressed like the game character, and had the same physical mannerisms (For the most part) 3: The movie has the same corny acting as the game.
For action fans, this is a must see- explosive moments, great gunfight scenes, all the makings of a non-stop action/horror flick. However, unfortunately, the characters are very lacking. Of course, the female leads will probably keep the guys attention on the screen.
As for the rest- continue on at your own risk, for the following section contains spoilers
WARNING: Some spoilers may follow READ AT OWN RISK
One of the most aggravating characters in the entire movie was Nicholai. I loved his character in the game, the mercenary turned bad. In this adaptation, he is not bad, in fact, he is killed. HE RESEMBLES NOTHING LIKE THE ORIGINAL. Granted, Zack Ward did a decent job in the tiny role given, I do enjoy his stuff, but I he just didn't fit the role whatsoever. How can a forty five or so year old white haired man be replaced by a 30 some odd year old red head? Please, God, I'd really like to know.
And the Nemesis turning good at the end? Give me a break, because that's just ridiculous.
The movie went at a good pace, keeping the action in to cover up the lacking story. In the game, there is no Dr. Ashford, there's no daughter, there's no Alice. I liked the game a lot better- it just seemed to flow better, however, I cannot deny it's an amazingly well shot movie, but it does lose itself, because, now a days, just about anyone with the money can make a movie with bullet time moments and huge explosions and well choreographed fight scenes.
We've seen these one million times already. What they need to start doing is focus on the story and make that the main point, not the action. I'm a story fan more than action, to be honest, so it might be a little biased on my part- but come on now, there was very little story to tell in the first place.
It was all right, the comedy was it's only decent part for me- as a movie fan, I'd give it a 7, but as a game fan, I have give it 5 out of ten. It really comes down to it, you'll either love it or hate it.