Resident Evil Afterlife (2010) - Film Review

‘I might as well have sat on the end of my 15 year old son’s bed and watched him play the game’ - this was my immediate thought after watching Paul W. S. Anderson’s 2010 film RESIDENT EVIL AFTERLIFE. Action sequence, followed action sequence, followed action sequence. With no character building and a feeble plot, it was like watching my son battling through the levels of a very intense and beautifully crafted shoot-em-up.

 Alice (Milla Jovovich) is back, the zombies are back, the umbrella corp. is back. Sadly the plot, the point, and my marbles were all lost at some point during this weak, mediocre offering. There is no doubt
that Resident Evil Afterlife has some stunning scenes, the rain drenched slow motion sequences are indeed breathtaking. Sadly the film is awash with slow-motion shots aimed at the 3D market. I unfortunately, watched it in 2D. There is only so much excitement that can be gleaned from a bullet moving in slow-mo towards you, rubble flying around in slow-mo and dozens more obvious 3D moments, when watching in 2D. The entire budget it seemed, was spent on CGI and 3D effects. Even the familiar sight of the talented Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) turning up behind bars again, did nothing to lighten my sinking mood. What a waste of wonderful acting talent this film is!!! With such an accomplished cast, and an adequate budget what a shame more effort wasn’t put in to the story.

Alice stumbles across a team of survivors in a an abandoned prison and together they endevour to reach Arcadia: an apparent safe haven for survivors of the 'T' virus. The horror that stands between them and the safety of Arcadia, is a massive hoard of flesh eating, mutant zombies. Alice’s arch enemy and all-round bad guy is present in the form of Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts). This man has leather gloves, wears sunglasses inside and has eyes that glow bright red....now where have I seen him before?? Ah yes, 26 years earlier, in The Terminator. In spite of his familiar appearance, Shawn, and the majority of the cast do well with what they are given, what they are given however leaves a lot to be desired!!

I can see the appeal of Resident Evil Afterlife, if you are a 15 year old boy. If you enjoy action shots, and are happy to watch one after the other, with nothing else to hold your interest then this is one to watch. But be warned, if you have more than a few random brain cells which want to be occupied, then steer clear. Resident Evil Afterlife will not only drive you nuts, but it will rob you of 97 minutes of your life.

RESIDENT EVIL AFTERLIFE (2010) Writer/Director: Paul W.S Anderson. Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Boris Kodjoe, Wentworth Miller, Norman Yeung, Fulvio Cecere, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris-Mancheta, Kacey Barnfield.

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