Retro Film Review: Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

(SPECIAL NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)

In 2002, Paul W. Anderson wrote and directed Resident Evil, demonstrating that a video game could indeed be successfully adapted into a film. Its triumph warranted a sequel, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, helmed two years later by Alexander Witt.

The sequel picks up right where the previous instalment left off, with Alice (portrayed by Milla Jovovich), a former security agent of the Umbrella Corporation and the sole survivor of the T-virus outbreak in the corporation's clandestine underground lab, awakening to discover the virus has spread to Raccoon City. As the Corporation evacuates its top personnel and seals off the town, leaving the populace at the mercy of the virus that transforms them into flesh-eating zombies, a small band of survivors, including disgraced policewoman Jill Valentine (played by Sienna Guillory), is contacted by Dr. Charles Ashford (portrayed by Jared Harris). Ashford promises to guide them to safety if they locate his daughter Angie (portrayed by Sophie Vavasseur). The group, joined by Alice, agrees to the mission, only to realise they must confront not just zombies but also the grim reality that the infected town served as a testing ground for Umbrella Corporation's sinister weaponry.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse boasted a larger budget than its predecessor, evident in its grander scale - transitioning from an isolated lab to an entire futuristic city - featuring deadlier weapons, more explosions, and an increased body count. However, Paul W.S. Anderson's screenwriting approach remained consistent, lacking originality in plot and character development. The film's superficiality is somewhat offset by captivating production design and dynamic direction by Alexander Witt. Jovovich, paired with Sienna Guillory this time around, continues to showcase her prowess as an action heroine alongside Guillory, forming a formidable duo. Despite occasional uninspired dialogue given to Mike Epps' comic relief character, the film remains engaging. While there are moments where Resident Evil: Apocalypse hints at untapped potential, such as when the survivors seek refuge in a church, these missed opportunities do not detract from its recommendation. Notably, with its high levels of graphic violence, profanity, and sporadic nudity, this film caters to audiences seeking such entertainment.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted here.)

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