Resident Evil: Extinction
STARRING
Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Oded Fehr, Iian Glen, Ashanti, Mike Epps, Spencer Locke
WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
So, this film is just out in theatres and was not previewed for critics (a universally recognized sign of a bad film in which the studio has little faith) therefore not much has been said, yet. Let me be among the first to say no, no, no - this is not how you finish off a trilogy! The first Resident Evil film was as remarkable for its quality as it was for its low-budget, video game inspiration, and interesting casting choice (Jovovich was at best a model, largely known to European fashionistas). The sequel to Resident Evil, entitled Apocalypse, was bonafide success and for those who said the first film was too laden with story to entice the gamin audiences, Apocalypse seemed to quell those criticisms with more action in a grandiose fashion and still maintained witty dialogue. All the while it advanced the storyline and seemed poised to leave us in the perfect place to see Alice's battle against the Umbrella Corporation come full circle.
Alas, this kind of resolution was not meant to be. Audiences hoping to connect Apocalypse with Extinction, for the most part will be disappointed. At first the film doesn't start off with a horrible premise, but scene by scene it becomes more contrived and predictable as we foresee an eventual showdown between Alice and Dr. Isaacs (Glen). Meanwhile, reprising their earlier roles, L.J (Epps) and Carlos Olivera (Fehr) have banded together with a few remaining Raccoon City survivors including the lackluster Claire (Larter) and a forgettable Betty (Ashanti), among others. While I won't tell you who the casualties are (aside from your pocketbooks) or who claims victory in good v. evil's timeless battle, I will say that Jovovich looks amazing. Russell Mulcahy can shoot a glowing pre-baby Jovovich in a way that is not matched by any other.
WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
This is not a experience to repeat. If there are two or three great sci-fi trilogies out there and this one had the potential to join those ranks, it failed miserably. Mulcahy needed to throw this script out immediately and tell Paul W. S. Anderson to take a hike if he couldn't repeat the intelligence and innovation of the first two films. As for the future of this franchise (which plans to pins its hopes on the Claire and Co. characters) it doesn't look bright. The action in Extinction was bland and the interplay horrible. What should have been said was left hanging in the air and that which was so utterly over-the-top Michael Bay-esque was put out there to ring miserably in the audience's ears. For your $6 - 8 bucks, there are better films out there. It is fitting after seeing the final film in a franchise I wished would never end (Bourne) that I be brought back to the harsh reality of the movie-making machine and remember how most trilogies (including Resident Evil) fail to inspire.
At least it proved Max Brooks's point about the superiority of a machete when battling the undead!
WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
It isn't a great date movie.
SPECIAL FEATURES
TBD
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