Game-based-movies seem to be catching on rapidly, we’ve already had our Mortal Combat and Street Fighter, but it was Tomb Raider that changed the stereotypes view on game movies. These things are getting better, and with more and more Hollywood directors getting addicted to the video game world’s most famous, they won’t be slowing down for anything.

Clearly Resident Evil is based on the Capcom game most popular for its mix of story action and “survival horror”, but there is something new to the film which is a surprise; no Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield. Just about all the game movies have their cast remain to the main film, however the story elements which made the game such a popular article have been traded over for the lost characters so many gamers had the joy of controlling.

It is remarkable how well the story is blended into the action, as far as you can tell the whole thing becomes a complete no-reason even which fills you with confusion to be relieved by all the details given to you in flashbacks. This effect generally places you at the back of the que, you rearely are given information, and anything you are given is a tremendous help. The story is indeed a rather strange one, if it weren’t quite a pitch of “Evil Dead” it would be a “Cube”. However the whole plot is rather ingenious to a game fan, in fact the trace of the game isn’t just in the look of the film, it’s also in the detailed roots of the film. Basically the whole story is utterly complex to anyone who hasn’t played any of the games, to a person who has, it is an amazing realisation to how this game is so close to a movie it’s scary.

Probably down to the story which most clinches it, which is full of the trace roots from the game, such as the Umbrella corporation. We are given a briefing to aid those out of the know, which describes the landscape of the world, now with 90% of homes using the corps stuff. Okay, the trace between game and film isn’t exactly seemless, indeed the the game has much more puzzle solving and lots more rooms. However the key elements are there, including a large mansion, and underground research facility. What makes it all so pleasant to view is the effect of an underground accident being revealed to be a fail safe operation, whereas you could easily see this half way through the movie, it is still a thrill to crack it.

To add to the idea of this underground maze of rooms and labs the film features little daylight, all the scenes are much done in black areas with lots of shaded areas, the dog scene is a perfect example as the dog appears from a black doorway, skinless an all. On the idea that the labs were flooded with water, glooming labs filled with blooded water makes the walls look as scary as the bodies in them. A good point too mention is that even though most viewers will be aware that these are living dead, the characters don’t. Cube elements seem to have been passed over to Resident Evil, as in the computer scene where four characters rush into a light filled hallway and are locked in by the computers defence system, and having to avoid lasers which rush to either end of the corridor, the characters are simple cut into pieces and slop on the floor.

On the side of the cast, there are countless personalities, but none of which are encouraged to open up, the main character Alice (Milla Jovovich) is left with a heavy memory loss from the start, and as the movie progresses she suffers from flashbacks, which help fill out the plot holes nicely. She invariably realizes her relationships to three people in the group. She secures the only access to the underground (The Hive) research centre, in a fake marriage, and soon realizes that she has been trained in combat. Rain (Michelle Rodriguez) comes in as a part of the security outfit controlled by Umbrella, we only see parts of her personality but nothing interesting. Matt (Eric Mabius) comes in as brother of Lisa (Heike Makatsch), who wishes to rescue her after hearing of the accident in the plant, he meets up with the security outfit and goes along with them. The rest of the cast have short and inanimate screen time.

Adding to an already interesting diet of action and horror, we have a very well mastered sound track, none other than Marilyn Manson who worked with the team to bring us a well defined score for the movie, in some way it makes a scary movie seem even more exciting, adding a well needed boost of music to the whole 134 minutes of film. IN fact the whole movie never sees a quiet moment, there is no scene with more than a brief note of silence which isn’t filled with the well composed moody textures Manson has done. Even ambience and effects have been tweaked by him, which adds to the film better than any other in its genre. The score runs along side most of the vocals, which tends to cause confusion as the two sound tracks tend to mix, but of course if you have a 5.1 speaker set-up then you’ll have no problems.

The Audio Video Side Of The DVD

The DVD is a Region 1 disc (Imported from US as it isn’t available in the UK yet).

Picture wise, they have held back on a 2.5:1 aspect ratio and stuck with a 1.85:1 transfer. While this seems sensible seeing as how much of the action uses the vertical displacement, a 2.35:1 ratio would look even nicer. Considering the darkness of the environment they have done fairly well to light it. Before the accident in The Hive the labs were all shown in full lighting, with such a change when the power is cut from the accident, leaving most scenes with little or no artificial lighting. The scenes which are included rely on air ducts or ceiling vents seaming light down onto portions of the scene. This adds to the atmosphere, where the characters drift in and out of the light. As for the camera shots, most if not all are done with close range, including some explosive doors which fly right past the screen – along with character.

Detail is perfectly displayed, with little or no noise or artefacts of some sort to speak on. The colours used in most scenes are very modern, with most times showing the effect of various lighting on the characters skin and clothing. Very little colour enhancing has been done, which adds to the rotten and dead look of the deadities. Black balance is just right to give a good level of shadow and brightness to the white areas. A lot of white screens are used which are a neat way to merge scenes.

On the audio side of things, we’ve already heard of the monster score by Manson, but the whole surround action is superb. The score and music is all used extensively around the rear speakers, and the fronts are used for effects and heavier bass. The centre speaker is used with most vocals, if to note all scenes using it. Leaving the four other speakers to deal with all manor of effects and music compositions. Surround sound is used a lot in the film to great effect, so if you’re not using it, then you’ll miss out. The DVD features only Dolby Digital, but it is a brilliant master and comes in French too. The Main Menu score just about gives you the general texture of the audio side of the disc for the rest of the movie – pumped up bass beats and heavy rock mettle, don’t worry though, its not quite as harsh as Manson’s band work.

Special Features

This was a “Special Edition” Resident Evil.

Extras come as you might expect, in abundance, with on-track commentary by Paul W.S. Anderson, producer Jeremy Bolt and actors Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriquez. There are also Five Making Of Featurettes, a Trailer, Music Video by Slipknot, Production Notes and Filmographies. Don’t forget this movie is 134 minutes long, and yet there is a 29 Minute making of featurette in there too. Plus a 10 minute “Scoring Resident Evil” featurette with interviews of Marilyn Manson.

Final Word

Resident Evil is, and should be, the best video-game based movie. Without a doubt the original way that the story is merged into a survival horror flick is truly innovative, it doubles in pleasure when you played the game too. While the characters aren’t given a full days work with their acting it, shouldn’t be criticized on that alone, as for the horror, we have here another winner forming a brilliant mix between costume design and the old fake blood, basically a thrilling ride whether or not you follow the story.
+ + +
By Screen Gems & Columbia TriStar (Sony)
DVD-9 Dual Layer, Single Side (DL/SS)



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older