The Bottom Line
Pros
- Good special effects and makeup
- Milla Jovovich in thigh-high leather stockings
- It's not directed by Alexander Witt
Cons
- Lacks real scares
- Has some plot holes
Description
- Starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Mike Epps, Ashanti, Oded Fehr, Iain Glen, Christopher Egan, Spencer Locke
- Directed by Russell Mulcahy
- Rated R
- DVD Release Date: January 1, 2008
Guide Review - 'Resident Evil: Extinction' DVD Review
The Movie
The Resident Evil series is the only video game-based film franchise successful enough to make it to three entries -- in part because so many of the others were directed by Uwe Boll. After the downright Boll-like Resident Evil: Apocalypse in 2004, though, one had to wonder if anyone could stomach a third helping, but here we are.
Extinction picks up five years after Apocalypse, with the world overrun by zombies and heroine Alice (Milla Jovovich) on the run from the evil Umbrella Corporation. She thinks that Alaska might be a zombie-free haven and due to some whacked-out geography, finds herself driving through the Nevada desert on her way north. Along the way, she reunites with Carlos (Oded Fehr) and L.J. (Mike Epps), who've joined a band of survivors roaming the desert in a Road Warrior-like convoy. They all band together in search of the undead Promised Land.
There's a lot more plot in Extinction -- involving clones, telekinesis, serums, "super zombies," a mutant named Tyrant and even office politics. It's a Double-Stuffed Oreo of a story that suffers from trying to create a coherent tale within an incoherent video game universe.
Much of the action takes place in the blazing sun (Wouldn't it be cooler to gather supplies at night?), which hinders the horror elements and gives the movie a Western feel. Still, the action is better than the cartoonish Apocalypse, and the desert setting is unique -- if not wholly successful -- for a zombie film. (I'm hoping for a sequel with snow zombies.)
Jovovich anchors the film with her beauty-and-brawn presence -- the sort of action heroine fanboys drool over -- and she makes up for other characters doing silly things like sacrificing themselves for no good reason.
The DVD
Special features include commentary from the filmmakers, deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Movie: B-
DVD: B
