Resident Evil: Retribution

Picture by ign.com

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012), directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, and Michelle Rodriguez, is the most recent sequel to the Resident Evil franchise. The film details a post apocalyptic zombie world run by an evil corporation. Alice (Milla Jovovich) fights alongside a resistance movement as she battles against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead once again.

Though the cinematography was astounding, starting with the first scene of Alice floating in the water, the film lacked actual story. Decisions to stick so close to the much loved game by the producers and the director, failed to hold my attention, causing me to drift in and out during it. If I wanted the video game, I would have spent my day doing that, instead of spending over 10 bucks to watch the film. The filmmakers failed to understand or care that so many of the viewers who love and follow these movies do not play the game. I became increasingly annoyed at the constant introduction and integration of new characters into the story with little to no background. These characters developed in the video game and never had a part in any of the films before, making it difficult to connect with any of the new people. 

I understand the reasoning behind the decisions to stay so close to the video game, though. So many people have played or currently play the game. Mostly, I was disappointed because, for the previous movies, the filmmakers did a good job at appeasing the gamers and allowing the non-gamers to fall for Resident Evil as well. 

On another note, reversing and slowing down the action at the beginning of the film was genius. This act allowed the viewer to pay close attention to as many details as possible in that opening action scene. Having watched this film in Imax 3D, I am left wondering if watching it in it's regular form would disappoint me even more. Over all, the movie, though beautiful and horrifying, lacked in substance. Three and a half stars is the most I would give this movie, which unfortunately, is less than I would give the previous films.