Review of Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) by Halfwelshman — 29 Jan 2012

Resident Evil: Extinction is a pretty shabby film, but a damn sight better than its predecessor, Apocalypse (though this isn't saying much - contracting leprosy is preferable to watching Apocalypse). The storyline is a dumb as ever, the characters and script dull and clunky.

Giving main protagonist Alice (Milla Jovovich) destructive telekinetic powers was also a mistake - making her such an unstoppable force of nature certainly limits our ability to empathise with her. The cast's performances in general are unremarkable, but at least they actually look like professional actors this time round rather than the highschool drama club-quality performances in Apocalypse.

The blatant rip-off of The Birds (though the filmmakers will probably claim that it's a loving tribute) where zombie crows attack is also a new low for the series. What Extinction does have going for it is some pretty entertaining action sequences, creative and brutal zombie kills, and Milla Jovovich wielding a pair of very big knives.

Russell Mulcahy (of highlander fame) is also probably the most talented director who's worked on the Resident Evil series thus far - his direction is perfectly competent, with the odd pleasing flourish.

Resident Evil: Extinction is a mildly diverting post-apocalyptic film with zombies, action and simplistic, good-looking characters. Should you expect any more from a film like this? Probably not. Does it deliver any more than this? No.