Resident Evil: Afterlife 2010

Written and directed by: Paul WS Anderson
Starring: Milla Jovovich; Wentworth Miller; Ali Larter; Kim Coates

I saw the first of these films several years ago and recall it had some interesting ideas and may have been vaguely scary. I haven't seen any of the intervening titles. I also recognise that purists may not consider this a true zombie title - but infectious re-animated corpses are good enough for me.

Four years ago the evil Umbrella Corporation was responsible for the 'T- virus' wiping out most of the planet and they are still operating underground in Tokyo, apparently experimenting on victims. 

Alice (Jovovich) was at ground zero when the outbreak began and we understand that she is now a virally enhanced super ninja who is trying to take down the corporation. After an action packed gun fight between her clones(?!) and some stormtroopers,  Tokyo is completely destroyed along with most of the city. Alice then heads off to search for survivors.

I like Milla Jovovich, despite her limited range of facial expressions, she is watchable. I can even tolerate her Sarah Connor style voice over, but many may not agree. She even pulls off poignant when she questions whether she is the last person on earth.

Eventually finding one survivor Alice flies back to LA where she finds another improbable group hiding in an abandoned prison. The prison gates are doing a good job of keeping out the horde of baying zombies, but the sheer number of them is staggering. Their efforts to breach the prison gates and the dreadful rage on their faces sets the tension simmering.

Then out of nowhere, a truly creepy sight. A very large hooded figure walking down the deserted LA streets dragging a giant meat tenderiser/ scythe smeared with blood. As the survivors plan their next move the incongrous yet terrifying hooded monster joins the masses at the gates and begins to pound on them relentlessly. It's only a matter of time before hundreds of raging undead overrun the facility.

Sadly the film doesn't know how to capitalise on the tension and whilst there are few moments of excitement when the survivors escape, the pace then then slackens completely and I started to lose interest.  The group end up in an Umbrella Corp stronghold where victims are inexplicably being kept in cold storage. The ensuing action scenes are highly derivative of the Matrix and have nothing to do with zombies. The ending is dull and sets the stage for inevitable next film.

The stylish camera work and CGI promised in the films opening scenes grows tiresome and self congratulatory by the end. There is also a massive overuse of slow-motion footage. 

A few parts of the movie showed promise but they were quickly ditched to move on to the next concept. Lots of ideas are floated but none are developed, perhaps this is another tool to persuade viewers to see the next movie? Nothing  in the film feels new or creative and the overall result is a forgettable film which doesn't know quite what it wants to be and is unable to deliver on any count.

I'm giving it a 4/10 because it's bland, derivative and seems to be just another slice of the franchise instead of a stand alone movie.