Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse Review
by Johnny Betts (johnny_betts AT hotmail DOT com)September 10th, 2004
Rating: 3.75/5
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PLOT
The hive is reopened in order to figure out exactly what happened in Raccoon City. It doesn't take an MIT grad to know this isn't a bright idea. Pretty soon, the entire city is rampant with contaminated zombies, and the city gates are ordered to be closed. The Umbrella Corporation is intent on destroying the city, the virus, and thus all the evidence pointing to them.
Alice (Jovovich) has different plans though. She joins forces with Jill Valentine (Guillory) and Carlos Olivera (Fehr), as they try to find a way to survive. There's a new problem, however. Matt Addison has fully mutated into Nemesis, and well, he's pretty much an ugly, unstoppable force. Milla Jovovich takin' care of bidness ensues.
JOHNNY'S TAKE
Here's a warning to all movie snobs - STAY AWAY! Everybody else go have a good time. I really enjoyed the movie, but let me fill you in on where I'm coming from:
1) I like the Resident Evil video games.
2) I love watching Milla kick decayed zombie butt.
3) I love the addition of another hot babe who knows how to kick decayed zombie butt.
If you identify with the above, then this is the movie for you. Also, keep in mind that a person's level of enjoyment for a movie like this goes down as his age goes up. Let me put this in fundamental terms: this is all about Milla in tight outfits, shooting guns, back flipping off motorcycles, breaking zombie necks, and just looking mighty fine doing it all. Folks, that's all I really need sometimes. Oh, and Sienna Guillory doesn't exactly open the eyes of the Oscar voters, but she sure makes a sexy Jill Valentine!
Atmosphere plays a big part as well. Things are often loud, dark, and chaotic. So you can expect a booming soundtrack, a handful of jump scenes, and a whole lot of gory deaths. My main complaint is that sometimes things are a little too chaotic, especially in some fight scenes. The camera is too close to fully absorb everything that's happening. Come on cameramen, pull back a little.
One thing many zombie movies lack is a main antagonist. Characters usually have to deal with a bunch of generic zombies chasing after them, but that's not the case here. Nemesis is one scary monstrosity. I've played the video game, and he's something you don't want on your tail. The addition of the Lickers (creatures from the game) is also a nice touch. The CGI is well done.
If you're in the mood for an all-out, non-stop thrill ride that is intent on preventing you from catching your breath, and you don't insist on the deepest story in the world, then there's really no reason not to see Resident Evil: Apocalypse. And ladies, I know I've gone on about the lovely Milla, but if you have the slightest interest in zombie movies or you just like fast-paced action with a serving of gore, then there's plenty for you to enjoy as well.
In terms of pure entertainment value this falls between 3.5 and 4 marks. I'm gonna shake up my rating system and give it a 3.75!!! It's Friday; you never know what kind of wild antics I might get up to.
ODDS & ENDS
* Natasha Henstridge was offered the role of Jill Valentine but had to turn it down because of other commitments.
* Nemesis was the main bad guy in the third game of the Resident Evil series.
* This is a little more faithful to the video games than the first movie. It even includes actual game characters like Jill Valentine and Carlos Olivera.
* Johnny thinks Milla Jovovich is pretty hot.
* Milla Jovovich was in Kuffs with Christian Slater who was in Bed of Roses with Josh Brolin who was in The Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
MAMA'S APPROVAL
This doesn't come close to meeting mama's approval. Profanity is pretty extreme with several "f" words. There is female nudity (including Milla when she's being held in some sort of water chamber). And this is very bloody and violent. Plus, it could be pretty scary for the youngsters. This may be based on a video game, but it's in no way appropriate for small children or pre-teens.
TRAILER COMPARISON
The trailer gives you an idea of exactly what to expect. This isn't art house Oscar material here. If you go see the movie based on your enjoyment of the trailer, then you should have no complaints.
THE GIST
Please don't go into this movie expecting anything resembling realism. Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a movie based on a video game, and in my opinion, it's exactly what a video game inspired movie should be. It's gory, it's violent, it's got lots of heavy artillery, it's got a super cool villain, it's got well-toned heroines puttin' on a show ... in other words, this is the movie most adrenaline-fueled guys have been waiting for all year.
Johnny Betts
http://www.themoviemark.com
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