If
George A. Romero were dead, he'd be turning over in his grave right about now.
Alas, the famed horror director is very much alive and probably shaking his head
at the sight of the new flick Resident Evil. Actually, the film is based on the
video game, which was in fact inspired by Romero's Living Dead series. In the
early stages of production, Mr. Romero was slated to direct. but then pulled out
due to creative differences..
In
Resident Evil, a strange virus is unleashed turning civilians into flesh eating
ghouls, otherwise known as zombies. A military team is sent in to diffuse the
situation. Amongst the team is a tough as nails bad-ass played by Michelle Rodriguez
(Fast and the Furious, Girl Fight). Also along for the ride is a young woman (Milla
Jovovich) suffering from amnesia. As the film progresses, she slowly begins to
regain her memory, and soon discovers she has more to do with the situation than
she realized. Most of the movie is just an excuse for the military team to take
on the zombies in a bullet filled gore-fest that could be best described as a
low rent "Aliens."
While
writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson (so not to be confused with P.T. Anderson of
Boogie Nights fame) certainly keeps things moving along briskly, this movie is
far too reminiscent of Romero's vastly superior Living Dead films (Dawn of the
Dead is my favorite) to stand on it's own. Those looking for anything that resembles
logic best stay home. Those looking to be scared, also best stay home. This is
more of an action movie.
There
is nothing particularly impressive about the cast except that they look good.
Rodriguez brings git and toughness while Jovovich is a beauty to behold. It's
too bad that both performers are nothing more than ornaments here.
Resident
Evil does feature some decent effects work and thankfully, it uses it's surroundings
much more effectively than the dreadful and similar Thirteen Ghosts. I was also
reminded of the work of John Carpenter (particularly his Ghosts of Mars). Anderson,
however, is no Carpenter. He's no Romero either. In fact, he could learn a lot
from both of those veterans, but he's too busy numbing the senses with gunfire
and an annoying soundtrack. Both Romero and Carpenter not only succeed in the
realm of horror, but they also manage to inject social commentary into their films.
Resident
Evil is fast-paced and over before you know it, but it's quite forgettable and
makes me yearn for another Living Dead film. Thankfully, Romero is hard at work
on that film as we speak. Resident Evil is nothing more than fast food cinema.
Silly, loud and pointless.
