RE3 Extensive Review

Rating: 8/10 (21 September 2007)

First off, RE3 finally redeemed the series from RE2 Apocalypse. So can you go into this movie feeling not disappointed? Yes & No.
Why No? (Start with the bad first) Resident Evil Extinction is a very simple/thin script by writer Paul W.S. Anderson, going into some very interesting places with a lot of cool elements from the games, mainly focusing on the games that have come after anything to do with Raccoon City (Code Veronica, RE4). The script is definitely fun, giving Milla and a few others some classic, surprisingly, "not over the top" one liners. There aren't that many so it doesn't over run it's course.
The script however, makes me mad at the executive producers for not putting that much faith in 1. fleshing it out, giving it actual subsidence other then a fast paced action/horror flick 2. hiring someone to revise it, like Paul Haggis did for Casino Royale. It's understandable and obvious that this movie is a mid sized budget, but feels like it's proving itself worthy of recognition series to receive the time and attention it deserves for a possible 4th movie. However, I think Anderson needs to be removed from the actual script writing process, maybe just concept ideas. One scene in this movie is definitely incredibly bad:
WARNING WARNING WARNING SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER *******Domesticating Zombies.... seeing a zombie pick up a cell phone and be a child with fisher price toys.... no..... DID THAT EVER HAPPEN IN THE GAMES? no. NO IT DIDN'T. ::Slaps Anderson:: END OF SPOILER****************
the GOOD ^_^ Beautifully shot, amazing production design from recent Oscar winner for Art Direction for Pan's Labyrinth, and great creature design from the team behind Silent Hill. Like Silent Hill, it's visually beautiful, in this case using sun to its advantage. Russel M. makes a good come back and some great choices, however it's obvious a lot got cut on the cutting room floor, aka THE DVD PROBABLY HAS A LOT OF DELETED SCENES. Once again studios getting in the way of true potential of a movie.
Acting, ACTUALLY GOOD. Milla Jovovich has already proved herself in many genres, only stuck in a rut right now of being a action star (soon to change with her period piece shooting sometime next year). Her, Ali Larter, and Oded Fehr are made up to look awesome and deliver their "meh" lines but with dignity. They do pull it off. Everyone else in the movie... are decent, but given the script predicament, you can't blame them for having trouble on a line or two, luckily their all at least natural.... minus Ashanti & Mike Epps at times. But everyone for the most part, has very short parts because as soon as this movie starts, it's over.
Overall? The Script doesn't do the games justice, especially after RE4 took home game of the year, however, the Direction, Production Design, Action Scenes, and Actors/Character redeem the movie and make it a very fun, fast paced, futuristic eye candy, with a fun score behind it. And one GREAT GREAT CHOICE in song to introduce Claire Redfield's Convoy. This movie has so many great elements for potential, you are left satisfied, but hoping the DVD will have a lot more to make your 10$ at the box office worth it because you're actually disappointed it's over so fast.
8 out 10 (1 star removed for the script flaws, 1 star removed for that spoiler scene above).