Metascore
33 out of 100

Generally unfavorable - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 24
  2. Negative: 11 out of 24
  1. One of the few video game movies to truly re-create the gaming experience -- from the three-dimensional maps to the structure of encountering increasingly grisly and dangerous foes at higher levels of play.
  2. About as good as the genre gets.
  3. A splattery futuristic zombie thriller, designed as a jolt-a-minute freakout for young audiences who were numbed into submission long ago.
  4. The dialogue is nothing to speak of, but the movie has a dynamite opening sequence in which the corporation turns on its workers, leaving them, if not dead, then with "virtually no intelligence," like office workers everywhere.
  5. There's a psychological undercurrent. The movie occupies a zone where science fiction and nightmares collide and intertwine.
  6. Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    50
    Evil's one strong presence is lead Milla Jovovich -- and not because the script gives her supercop/soldier anything interesting to say.
  7. Reviewed by: David Grove
    50
    Technically impressive horror film and sometimes fun to watch, but totally undistinguished.
  8. 50
    Is this the future of horror or just some bizarre fluke? Don't ask me, I'm having too much fun to care.
  9. Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    50
    Despite a promising setup, pic never really goes anywhere, instead immersing viewers in a kinetic onslaught of flesh (namely, that of Milla Jovovich) and flesh-eaters (most of the rest of the cast).
  10. Reviewed by: Hank Sartin
    50
    Hits the ground running and never looks back. But after an hour of propulsive pacing the shock value wears off, and all that's left is pop-up carnage.
  11. Like many video games, Resident Evil has a drearily long setup, then a lot of blood and gore, then an overextended ending.
  12. 40
    Handsome and sometimes creepy, but formulaic in the extreme.
  13. Jovovich isn't at her best, but that's mainly because her character is required to be in shock most of the movie, except when she remembers that she's a Charlie's Angel, or happily sheds clothing to maintain that R-rating. Frankly, most of us can live with that.
  14. While computer games can boast an abundance of nifty graphics and odious villains and plucky protagonists on long journeys, they're invariably a tad wanting in the cinematic essentials -- you know, stuff like plot and characterization and theme.
  15. 30
    The interchangeable males all resemble Freddie Prinze Jr., and Anderson's direction is no less anemic, making one yearn for an Escape/Quit button that, sadly, doesn't exist in this medium.
  16. 30
    Too grim and humorless to even qualify as trashy fun.
  17. The movie has a frantic staccato style that is more game-oriented than cinematic.
  18. Reviewed by: Richard Harrington
    30
    In the end, it all looks and plays like a $40 million version of a game you're more likely to enjoy on a computer.
  19. 25
    The movie is "Dawn of the Dead" crossed with "John Carpenter's "Ghosts of Mars," with zombies not as ghoulish as the first and trains not as big as the second. The movie does however have Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez.
  20. 25
    It's so incoherent that at first you wonder if the reels are being shown out of order.
  21. 25
    A video game cum movie that substitutes shrieking decibel levels for a coherent plot and any resemblance to originality.
  22. 20
    A ditsy and dizzying spook-house thriller in high-tech, high-hemline gear.
  23. 10
    Mildly grisly, assaultively noisy and tremendously boring.
  24. 0
    Such a bad movie that its luckiest viewers will be seated next to one of those ignorant pinheads who talk throughout the show.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 90
  2. Negative: 19 out of 90
  1. "Resident Evil" is a zombie movie based on a famous game franchise. The movie is different from the game and offers new perspective and entertainment, if and only if you can handle the cheesy dialogue and the lost-its-way plot of the movie. Full Review »
  2. KeenanS
    10
    Despite what critics and some people had to say about it, I absolutely loved Resident Evil. Sure the story doesn't exactly follow the games, but it created its own identity and was a well-written, competent story. The action scenes were well done, even if the zombies lacked blood and there was plenty to go around in terms of excitement. I loved the music and it fit well with the themes. Best of all, Milla Jovovich kicks so much ass in this film! Give it a try, it's actually quite good. Full Review »
  3. If you're a fan of the video games and have not seen this film then DON'T suddenly scramble away to the nearest video store with the belief that this film is anything like those titles, because that would be a bare-faced lie. Whilst this movie does hold its own for the most part it deviates so far from the popular games that it bares only minimalistic origins to It's original inspiration. Positive aspects about this feature is the soundtrack which features music very suited to the atmosphere of the setting and the CGI which was fantastic for the time. Full Review »