Resident Evil: Apocalypse

Following the success of the 2002 adaptation from video game to film that was 'Resident Evil', comes its tantalizingly-trailered sequel, 'Resident Evil: Apocalypse'. I have to say, I was entranced by the trailer of this film. I seriously thought that this film had the potential to rise above 'Mortal Kombat' (1995) and 'Resident Evil' as the best cinematic event to spawn from a video game. 'Apocalypse' doesn't do everything wrong, but it certainly doesn't do everything right.

Let's start with a brief synopsis. Firstly, this film picks up literally days after the first drops us off. 'Apocalypse' opens with a rehashed explanation of what we learned about the two main characters in the original, Alice (Milla Jovovich) and Matt Addison (Eric Mabius). Again, we are told that this Umbrella Corporation is an international super-power and that Alice is (or more accurately was) the head of security in an underground research facility dubbed "The Hive", which harbored research and specimens pertaining to biological weaponry. After that, we are treated to the scientists who wheeled Addison away at the closure of 'Evil', opening the zombie-infested annals of "The Hive". Immediately before the audience 'knows' what happens (its pretty obvious and is given away in the final shots of the first 'RE') we transition into a militaristic evacuation of important personnel associated with Umbrella Corp. After a few assorted events that do (and simultaneously do not) move the plot line (a 'do not' being the lead-scientist asking how bad the situation is). After this, we are introduced to nearly a half-dozen other characters, including a renegade police officer (Sienna Guillory), the remaining members of an elite task force (Oded Fehr, Zack Ward), a VERY stereotypical Black man (Mike Epps) and a hulking creature (which, if you paid attention to the first 'RE', you would be aware of its appearance) that totes both a rocket-launcher and a hand-held chain gun named the "Nemesis".

As far as performances go, the aforementioned actors and actresses do well with the material that they are given. Guillory has Helen of Troy (not from the film 'Troy') on her resume, as Jovovich has Joan of Arc, Fehr has the mummy hunter, Ardeth Bay from the 'Mummy' series and Epps is credible in several comedies. There is no real emotion in the script, so the viewers really can't ask for any emotion from the actors (sadly true).

That is where 'Apocalypse' stumbles, and in many places, falls on it's face.

The plot is paper thin with nearly no real complications for the audience until the last ten minutes (which is a near-complete turn around from the original, which actually evoked SOME thought from the audience). It is basically unleash zombies on the city and shoot 'em up. The small sub-plots really vary from little to no relevance in the story whatsoever. It is pretty predictable that there is some kind of 'oh no, my friend was bitten and eventually, I'll have to kill him just before he bites me' situation, and the big action/set pieces are blatantly set up. The characters are thinner than the plot, with their arcs being straighter than a steel arrow. Alice begins the movie as an ass-kicking femme fatal, and finishes the film being...oh, you guessed it, an ass-kicking femme fatal. Jill Valentine (Guillory) is another one of these masculinely tough females, although sans Alice's super powers. The only real life that is brought to the script is through the epitome of black stereotypes, played by Mike Epps. It was sadly ironic, however that my favorite bit of 'Apocalypse' involved a reference to another video game franchise.

Again, 'RE: Apocalypse' is not completely bad. Although few, it has its moments. Mike Epps has his funny lines and his one encounter with the Nemesis brought laughs from the entire audience, which was something needed in the film. The Nemesis was done well a majority of the time (although there is a bit where the big oaf crashes through a wall and his head piece actually shifts visibly on the actor's shoulders) and makes a formidable villain for a good margin of the film (although his closure is a bit weak). Many of the action sequences had great potential...but the majority of those action scenes were fast-cut, much like 'AvP', so much so that it was very hard at moments to see exactly what was happening in the shot.

'Apocalypse' suffices much more as an action movie than it does as a horror film, and it struggles to keep interest, even for someone who has faithfully played the video games. I will be glad to admit, though...'Apocalypse' has the BIGGEST, most unexpected scare of 2004. I won't say when or where...but I am glad to have experienced it. 'Apocalypse' isn't exactly worth all eight dollars of your admission fee, but it doesn't make a bad Saturday afternoon matinee...6/10.

*SPOILER ALERT* *SPOILER ALERT*

Lethal megababe Alice, (Milla Jovovich), is back. The Hive gets reopened for some reason. The zombies take advantage of the human's blunder and pour out into Racoon City. Alice and another hot chick decide to bring the war to the zombies. The rest of the movie is one long fight scene with zombie dogs, slobbering creatures and a big monster with a rocket launcher all wanting to waste the killer babe squad.

While "Resident Evil 2" is light on plot, it is heavy on kills, explosions and various other forms of mayhem. I definitely felt I got my money's worth. There are really only two differences between this movie and the original "Resident Evil". One, this movie introduces a new monster, the Nemesis. It's a big monster with bad teeth wearing an overcoat and wielding a rocket launcher. The other difference is that they added another hot woman to the zombie killing mix. Alice needed some babe backup. Overall, I was pleased with this one. It's worth a look.

The feral infected are lurkin' in the dark, lips pared back carried by a silenced heart, corrupted by a virus that reanimates the dead, the only escape option is a bullet to the head. Nemesis awoken and is armed to the eye teeth, mutated from a human that's still carried underneath, Umbrella has its fingers on the pulse and in all pies as a thermonuclear device is delivered from the skies. Apocalypse or Holocaust, Armageddon take your pick, can't believe a virus could escape and make everybody sick, or that politicians tell us lies and mislead us with intent, and do things to their public without gathering their consent.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a kick-ass action flick but when i first watched it on video way back in early 2000's i didn't like it. Now in 2022 I've watched it again & think it's Awesome!!!

Apocalypse isn't as good as the first film but it's still a damn good sequel & companion piece to that film.

The Apocalyptic scale of Raccoon City promised at the end of the first film is on full display here. The city is in a panic & the corrupted Umbrella company is locking everything down & locking everyone in. The virus has spread from the reopening of The Hive & our hero Alice (Milla Jovivich) is on the hunt. Jovovich is Awesome again in her "Ripley" type of role & gets to team up with other survivors including some left-behind S. T. A. R. S soldiers & what we get is a group of survivors trying to make their way to safety & rescue a young girl lost in the chaos.

The action scenes are well done with cool kick-ass stunts & slick feel to it all. The atmosphere is done well with a blueish look to everything & with a mist & rain it has a nice Horror film feel & look. There's plenty of Zombie action & the cool looking Nemesis creature that is like a big mutant Terminator & looks Awesome.

Mike Epps (Next Friday) is pretty fun as one of the group & has fun in his role.

Apocalypse is just a damn good fun action-packed ride, a fun late-night movie ride.

A film that directly continues the first part of the saga known as Resident Evil.

The casting is excellent, Sienna Guillory is the right choice for the role of Jill Valentine. Alice, Jill and Carlos fight not only against time, but also against a formidable opponent called Nemesis.

Nemesis looks great, quite sinister and scary. The make-up and special effects team did a great job.

The film is solidly directed, although the fight scenes could have been better, but overall it's not bad at all. Carlos Olivera is a fun character, Oded Fehr portrayed him excellently.

Milla Jovovich is always excellent as Alice.

What is specific about these kinds of films, and especially about this Resident Evil franchise, is that you can watch it many times, and each time it is more fun. It is designed to entertain the viewer and it certainly succeeds in that.

The movie is definitely worth watching, it's fun, with solid action and a tense plot.