SummaryIn a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice, continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes t...
SummaryIn a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice, continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes t...
Really, the whole series would be unthinkable without the films of George Romero. In that respect, Anderson has taken another page from the Corman playbook for his superior B-movie: If you're going to steal, at least steal well.
If you're interested in this movie, it's because you love either seeing zombies explode (check), the video games (major character included, check) or Jovovich kicking undead butt in every conceivable way (check and mate).
True to series form, plot is nearly indiscernible, but this fourth installment in the sci-fi/horror/action franchise created by writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson is the sleekest so far, thanks to 3D and star Milla Jovovich's body-hugging catsuit.
Sorry to disappoint the fanboys, but this is the first film in the Resident Evil series in which Milla Jovovich neither begins nor ends the movie stark naked.
Director Paul W.S. Anderson (who also directed the original) can hardly manage a hint of suspense or excitement. And excitement is exactly what the film ought to have in excess.
Now I am really surprised. How can this movie have so many negative critics? It was magnificent! That scenario of the end of the world.. and that guy with the axe.. one word: WOW
Afterlife is the second top grossing entry in the franchise thanks to a highly publicized (and rather spectacular) 3D and the return of Paul W.S. Anderson as a director. In spite of all of the good stuff, Afterlife is a sterile movie with little story supporting the action and suffers a lot as it is mostly contained in a single location for a big chunk of the movie without the claustrophobia of the first one. Also that building is not well designed and I have always wondered who lit up all those torches on the walls that were clearly unreachable (lol).
The big screen reunion of Chris and Claire Redfield is underdeveloped and it is never really explained why Chris is kept prisoner by the other survivors. The movie seems to be stuck in a loop where nothing happens and no progress is being made. The only key moment is Wesker taking away Alice's powers preventing the next movies becoming a superhero nonsense BS... as if the franchise needed more over the top action with ridiculous physics. This was a good thing.
Afterlife basically serves as a way to set Alice in a trap by the Umbrella which makes sense for a scene but not a whole movie. Having said that, the action scenes are stunningly shot with great stunts, precise camera work, sleek design and cool costumes. An overuse of the slow motion can become ridiculous at times but the 3D mania back then made it look pretty cool. Now with the 4K UHD Blu-Ray we can admire every single water drop during the iconic bathroom fight. Audio is just as spectacular with a bombastic soundtrack and impressive surround sound rich in deep bass. This is technically a sublime effort so much it affords to pay homage to The Matrix without failing at it.
Milla is always the queen of the show with her intense dramatic scenes, credible action starpower and humorous one liners not to be missed in mindless horror/action/sci-fi movies like these ones.
So overall it's my least favorite movie from the RE franchise but thanks to its visual style, superior direction and elaborate action sequences, Afterlife is still a fun movie to enjoy on a big 4K screen or in 3D with its impeccable audio. It entertains. Afterlife 6/10
Read my other reviews, here's my ranking:
Resident Evil The Final Chapter 10/10
Resident Evil Retribution 9/10
Resident Evil Extinction 8/10
Resident Evil 8/10
Resident Evil Apocalypse 7/10
Resident Evil Afterlife 6/10