Resident Evil films are a hit and miss affair. The first film was amazing, great cast, setting and felt like a natural partner to the game, however over time it has been slightly sequel-ed to death.
I really enjoyed Resident Evil 4. Paul W.S Anderson was back directing since the first film (though he was a producer on all of them) and the 3D Element was surprisingly awesome. So I went to see Resident Evil 5 with mixed feelings, I wasn’t expecting a repeat of 1 or 4 but somewhere in the middle would be nice. Oh, and I also have a massive girl crush on Milla Jovovich (the only reason I saw 3 Musketeers).
It starts with some very impressive credits – of the action backwards – exactly where resident evil 4 left off. After a brutal fight scene both backwards and forwards Alice (the lovely Milla Jovovich) is back in an ‘Umbrella’ bunker again fighting for her life and battling the ever advancing hordes of the dead and the mutated. As the villain ‘Umbrella’ works well as they are mainly faceless, brutal and relentless.
The films setting ares elements with the first, and there are lots of references to the original mixed in with monsters from the more recent sequels. Since the beginning they’ve been overly bundling in any and all characters from the game, which works here as well as random characters who you suspect will all die horribly (NO BARRY NO!)
Despite everything I actually enjoyed it, although some of this review suggests otherwise. As far as plot goes, don’t worry too much about it – Resident Evil 5 is never going to win any Oscars or anything like that, but for mindless entertainment, blood, guns and terrible acting, it’s something to fill a grey autumn afternoon (that isn’t too taxing on your brain).
I kind of hope they make more and surprise, surprise, the door is left open for another one. Let’s just hope it’s as bad as this!