One of the most underrated action classics returns and continues to kick some ass!!

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2007)

As a huge fan of the games for years I might have expected to nit pick about the details of the original Resident Evil film. They really did kind of move away from the story while still keeping key elements and characters in tact and in doing so they created this absolutely brilliant action series that I think is completely and utterly underrated and under appreciated. Resident Evil: Extinction is yet another third in a summer of overwhelming trilogies and this one stands out on it's own. I keep thinking about seeing previous installments that as badly as I want a sequel it won't fly, it won't do as well and they keep surprising the heck out of me. Each time they just seem to do something really clever that keeps this story on the cutting edge and avoids the pit falls of worn out, tired film series'. Extinction focuses firmly on the story, the outbreak of the virus and the completely obliteration of the world as we know it. This is the ultimate post apocalyptic film and the best of it's type I've seen in years...maybe since the Mad Max trilogy. Best of all Resident Evil, the entire series, should be heralded as one of the truly unique action films by creating an absolutely brilliant female hero that girls can really say...see she kicks ass. Milla Jovovich's Alice should be in the history books as one of the greatest female heroines in history. Not only that but they usually add in a secondary female hero and in this case they added the familiar game character of Claire Redfield. I think they pulled back a little on the obscene amount of action that the predecessors had in order to roll out some really good story and characters but then they had their share of incredible action moments to keep things rolling at break neck speed. Best of all they didn't go light on the key elements of Resident Evil...ZOMBIES. Zombie birds, zombie dogs and a new breed of Nemesis to contend with.
Milla Jovovich returns as the only reoccurring character since the first film, Alice. Now genetically enhanced by Umbrella she is learning to utilize her mind powers to save and help others. Her powers are never cheap or campy and they really do work in the environment given. Jovovich completely embodies Alice and she is just riveting to watch in her action scenes. Her intense look and small frame make her just awesome and she still looks beautiful, without being sleazy. Oded Fehr also returns from Apocalypse as Carlos, a character I have always really liked. He still does a good job and really does look the Resident Evil part while still being a very viable character. His part is not huge but it's very important and he does well at it. Ali Larter is good as the secondary female hero (and possible future main hero) Claire Redfield who is the leader of the convoy. Larter is pretty good and does command certain respect on screen but she is heavily overshadowed by Jovovich's performance and character. Iain Glen is the evil Dr. Isaacs who is determined to use Alice to domesticate the zombies. He also eventually becomes the second nemesis which is really something to see and is just plain awesome.
I think perhaps more than most movie franchises Resident Evil has incredible longevity and potential and having seen what they've been able to do with the first three installments they can do an incredible job. Just when I think it couldn't be as good they surprise me with something really fun to watch, full of action, horror, gore and a terrific story and really great characters. They have also had the fortunate experience of having some great directors and Extinction director Russell Mulcahy is no exception. He is a talented and well experienced director having worked on such films as Rambo III, Highlander and Tales of the Crypt (I mention those because you sense a little of each in Extinction.) Also writer (and director of the first installment) Paul Anderson knows the characters and seems to have a passion for the story. Truly this is one of the fall greats and a must see for action/horror fans. 9/10