Resident Evil

release year: 2002
genre: video game horror/action
viewing setting: home DVD, 9/10/04 and 8/10/02

synopsis: An underground research complex is overrun by the living dead, and a group of people has to go in to take care of things.

impressions: I wasn't as happy with this movie as I should have been, considering the subject matter. I think the problem was that there was too much plot. You laugh, but it's true; a movie like this needs to be all action and effects, and not suffer the burden of excessive plot. Most people would think that there wasn't enough plot here, but I think there was too much. That said, I also didn't think there was quite enough violence or gore here. However, the movie was spooky, offering effective scares without having to resort to the usual cheesy tactics.

things to watch for: Any mass zombie scene.

acting: Of all the soldiers and others, only two remained distinct to me: Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez. The male cast included two who weren't with the soldiers, but it wasn't clear which was which and what their backgrounds were. Rodriguez did the best job as a kick-ass soldier.

final word: Entertaining, but could have been better.

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