Resident Evil: Retribution (FILM REVIEW)
Resident Evil:
Retribution
Film Review
by Kam Williams
Enduring Franchise Finds Latex-Clad Heroine Fighting More
Mutants
The Resident Evil film franchise is proving
to be every bit as enduring as the hordes of flesh-eating zombies featured in its
every episode. The movies are based on the popular series of high body-count
computer games which has also spawned some comic books, graphic novels,
cartoons, and a line of merchandise with action figures and more.
This fifth screen adaptation marks yet
another collaboration between writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson and his wife, cover
girl-turned-actress Milla Jovovich. She, of course, reprises her lead role as
Alice, the pistol-packing protector of a planet once again threatened with
extinction.
As usual, Anderson does his best to
exploit his supermodel spouse’s good looks, between keeping her clad in
form-fitting latex for the duration of the adventure and seizing on any excuse to
take a pause in the action for a lingering, extreme close-up of her flawless
facial features. Otherwise, RE 5 offers formulaic zombie fighting fare, with Alice and an intrepid
team of defenders (Michelle Rodriguez, Boris Kodjoe, Bingbing Li, et al) representing
the last hope of humanity.
At the point of departure, our
heroine, by way of voiceover, quickly recounts the back story of what’s
transpired in the prior installments. We learn that the trouble all started
when an industrial accident triggered a viral outbreak which in turn led to the
rise of the undead.
Today, the diabolical Umbrella
Corporation is apparently again up to no good, and on the verge of unleashing
an army of mind-controlled minions, including clones of our pretty protagonist.
Over-plotted to the point of absurdity, there’s no reason to try to follow RE
5’s storyline.
For while Milla might be up to the
challenge of executing the script, the same can’t be said about her supporting
cast’s wooden delivery of every last line of dialogue. The worst in this regard
is Hong Kong star Bingbing Li who is crippled by the English language making a
disastrous Hollywood debut here. A visually-captivating fantasy for teenage
males with raging hormones, the demo most apt to enjoy watching an invincible
vixen in spandex waste wave after wave of mindless mutants.
Fair (1 star)
Rated R for partial nudity and pervasive graphic violence.
Running time: 95 minutes
Distributor: Screen
Gems
To see a trailer for Resident
Evil: Retribution, visit:
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