Review of Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) by Kai82 — 26 Oct 2020

The second movie of the franchise. It continues after the events of the prequel and uses the Resident Evil 2 and 3 games for inspiration while not being an adaptation of those. It continues the story of Alice who awakens in a hospital and escapes.

Meanwhile Raccoon City is quarantined by the Umbrella Cooperation as the virus escapes their secret facility. They are in full damage control mode and want to silence all witnesses and destroy all evidence.

Because Alice is a threat they send a newly developed enemy after her who will become her Nemesis;-). For me this movie is a hit and miss. Resident Evil 2 and 3 were excellent games back then and helped to shape the survival horror videogame genre and this franchise.

I like that they use many ideas, themes and aspects of these games. My complaint is that they should have used more. Many of us thought that these 2 games are excellent choices for an adaptation. Another point is that this started the “What the f*** is Umbrella doing questions.

From movie to movie their plans make less sense and become something maybe Nostradamus could arcive as the events and outcomes are not predictable nor should be included into a strategy. Also they start using characters from the games that are different in irritating ways.

For example Jill Valentine is far less competent while being the same character. Resident Evil 3 Jill Valentine would do really well in this setting and does not need help. Carlos and Nicolai are not up to their counterparts.

The Nemesis is nothing against his menacing counterpart that haunts you. Gamers still feel terror when they hear his deep scratching voice saying “Staaars”. What saves this for me are the actors. Again Milla Jovovich is great as Alice, Sienna Guillory is still a good Jill Valentine that I could imagine in her own movie.

I like also the Ashford family here. The story is engaging but a bit foreseeable. I could strangely predict many twists and outcomes. This might sound to negative as I still enjoyed this movie. It is not a mistake or even bad.

However it is also nothing you will remember often or discus with friends in “movies we could / should / must rewatch” arguments. Overall a solid sequel and worth watching but not remembering.