Reperspective: Resident Evil

A nadir for many people, the Resident Evil films are seen as where Paul W S Anderson started to go wrong before he'd even begun.

The rest of us, however, know he is a genius and love these movies, so there. Hit the jump to find out why...




Resident Evil

Umbrella corporation, T-Virus, mansion, everything else here has nothing whatsoever to do with the game, which is perfect. The game's plot may work as a FPS, but a great movie it would not make. Instead, we get a nice little plot with moments that even the series' detractors can't knock. Yes, much of it is cheesy, but you've got to love the laser grid and, hey, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Salmon, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy and Milla's muff. It's let down by some shoddy CGI, but still remains an action classic.


Resident Evil Apocalypse

Anderson writes and produces, but offers directing duties to a first-time minion. Game references abound, from Jill Valentine to the Nemesis, like zombie-doggie treats to the fans howling for a more game-like setting, but, beyond the initial set up, this is again its own universe. The plot hurtles along with little rhyme or reason, but there is nonetheless some charm here. The no-name cast are all pretty likeable, unheard of in most B-movies, and the whole film has an Escape From New York feel to it. Not up to the first outing, but still enjoyable fluff.


Resident Evil Extinction

Yes, it's Resident Evil does Mad Max and that is Niki from Heroes. Again written by Anderson, but with Highlander director Russel Mulcahy in charge, the jump in quality is evident. The opening section is a little derivative and the plot is pretty contrived, but there are a lot of nice moments that keep this one ticking along; the Birds reference is particularly amusing. This one is lightest on game references, though we do get a game-style boss at the end.


Resident Evil Afterlife

Anderson is back and doesn't it show! We tie up all the plot threads from the last films, whilst taking the series in a whole new direction; this time it's Resident Evil does The Matrix via Dawn Of The Dead. Meanwhile, bullets, swords and hammers fly at the camera in glorious 3D. This is, of course, what the medium was made for: cheesy stunts, not to replace 2D, thankyou Mr Cameron. We get some fan-pleasing moments, including the return of a distinctly Battlestar-looking Jill Valentine in a post-credits sequence that leads the way into what looks set to be an even-more frantic fifth outing. What more could you ask for?