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First off, this film isn't mind food or anything deeply contemplative. It always surprises me when professional film critics can't figure this out. I mean, c'mon, a film titled "Resident Evil" will have a certain mechanic about it. It doesn't exist to be more than what it is billed as---a fun, popcorn pseudo-videogame film specifically aimed at Resident Evil fans, but also wholly accessible for those who are uninitiated and want to jump aboard for the ride. (Though with that said, the film doesn't give backstories on the primary bad guys. To a small degree, it does expect you to do some outside homework if you're not familiar with the games but want to know the full story on why Albert Wesker, for instance, is an important character instead of just another Umbrella suit.) So if you're looking for a deeper meaning behind things, an Oscar winning performance, or want to take it apart to look for the hidden "zeitgeist" you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking for a solid survival horror with many surprising layers, then this film might be for you.
For me, what struck me immediately was an evolution and an almost restarting of the mythology. Many conventions in-fiction were reconstructed and removed in order for the characters to grow, but surprisingly, there were also changes made in-reality that added a whole new depth to this film.
There is layered duality present here that is uncanny. (Outside of the obvious comparison between 2D and 3D.) On one hand we have the standard zombie/monster action/horror scenes. But on the other hand, we have very striking contrasts that almost seems like a indie arthouse film versus a more mainstream production, as well as a battling aesthetic match between the modern and the vintage.
For example, in the beginning we have a closeup of rain falling on a very nice pair of legs that looks like it's from a high-fashion hosiery or shoe commercial, but then seconds later we have a brutal zombie attack. And this conceit continues throughout the film: While there are cluttered city blocks filled with ragged and filthy undead, we also have beautiful and pristine panoramic views gliding over expansive Alaskan landscapes. While we have ultra-modern weapons like .50 caliber sniper rifles, automatic pistols, and assault rifles, we also have revolvers, antiquated shotguns, and katana blades. While we have cutting edge computers and thermobaric plasma implosion bombs, we also have torches and an almost medieval siege on a prison that looks like a castle. We even have some characters with vintage styled clothes flying vintage prop aircraft, yet we also have characters with very modern and synthetic combat suits flying Very Near Future looking tilt-rotor aircraft.
It's a very strange mixture, and almost oxymoronic in the contrast. But somehow Paul W.S. Anderson and his creative team pulls it off.
What's great about this world is, it's extremely developed. Although it is self-contained and removed from the regular Resident Evil game canon, it never-the-less has created its own credible "tangent reality" that has evolved from a meme of the microcosm, to the entirety of a parallel universe that's very well realized. So much so, in fact, that it has formed its own unique mythology that is just as strong as the core material it's based on. This film reinvents itself, and it takes us to a whole new level. That's unusually rare in franchise-based films, especially videogame ones. It is also a rarity that these films keep getting better and better with each new offering. I think a great deal of this, is due to the characters.
Casting and characterization were well executed, both in the principle cast and the proverbial cannon fodder.
As for the "guest stars", Kim Coates' character was written a little cliched as the 'Jerk Survivor', but he played his role admirably. It also worked for me on a personal level, because an acquaintance of mine acts in the same egotistical, self-important style, even though he's perhaps the most unimportant person in my social group. Boris Kodjoe plays a great warrior/survivor, and Kacey Barnfield, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Fulvio Cecerem, and Norman Yeung are also competent in their roles. Yeung's character; Kim Yong, is one of the weaker developed character, but at least it gives us an Asian character on screen; which represents my racial grouping, so that was nice on a personal level.
As for the principle cast, with the exception of Wesker, all the prior established characters have the same actors back to reprise their roles. Once again Ali Later nails her Claire Redfield persona by having a greater (and more physical) role this time around, and Wentworth Miller plays a worthy Chris Redfield. Even Spencer Locke reprises her role as K-Mart, though she has very little screen time. As stated, the only real change-up was Shawn Roberts replacing Jason O'Mara as Wesker. Normally I dislike this as it breaches continuity, but here it was a vast improvement because Roberts channels Wesker perfectly. (That, and Wesker's role in 'Extinction' was very minor compared to 'Afterlife', so this change can be overlooked.)
Of course, I can't forget about the star of the film, beautiful Milla. Milla is a cat in human form. She is sleek, lithe, and her movements are very precise and very predatory. But this time around, we get a new take on Alice that's both refreshing and rewarding. Gone are her "superpowers", so in her unguarded moments alone, we can almost sense a rebirth of innocence mixed in with a newfound vulnerability. No, she doesn't lose her combat prowess, fighting skills, or bravado (when with companions), she just loses all the extra enhancements that made her more a superhero X-Man, less a realistic [highly skilled] outbreak survivor. But now that she's reset back to her "normal" self, she doesn't have the advantage of speed, psionics, or fast healing she once had, so the dangers around her become more credible and threatening.
Speaking of threatening, this time our monsters and villains are pulled from the excellent 'Resident Evil 5' game. The main zombies, dogs, and mutants are the Majini-type (in all facets), but there are also the running themes of self-doubt, isolation, and vulnerability. So while things are indeed geared towards a monster movie, we also have the innate human-centric condition that reinforces and attacks our characters more-so than any of the prior films.
The production designs be it digital or physical, were great. Some things that I thought were real (Alice's plane in flight) were CGI, and some things that I thought were CGI (Arcadia freighter) were real---but all in good ways, as it illustrated a successful blending of the tangible and imaginary into a near seamless fabric on screen.
I was also really impressed with the costume design. Chris' was pretty faithful in terms of his gear and signature blade, and Wesker's and the Executioner Majini's were near dead-on. But it was Milla's that really sold me. Walk up to anyone and ask how a corset [and later web gear] worn over a black catsuit; and gray legwarmers under knee-high boots would look, and they'd probably think of some 80's throwback. But not here. Milla's outfit was strikingly elegant, and there was a very deliberate and classy vintage feel about her that radiated an almost timeless beauty---especially when we first see her debark from her aircraft and she's dressed in a long gray coat over her outfit. That, and her slightly shorter haircut compared to her clones, almost looked like she was supposed to be projecting an Amelia Earhart persona.
Moving on, sure, 'Afterlife' had it's flaws. All films do. The most glaring one for me, was the reunion of Chris and Claire. Given the sheer distance between Alaska and California, the two Redfields finding each other was far beyond plausible coincidence and somewhat hokey, but I give it a pass because although the reunion between Claire and Chris in the 'Code Veronica' game was a bit different, at heart it was just as cheesy. My only other potential gripe, would be how Alice survived the Osprey crash in the very beginning of the film after her T-Virus cells were neutralized. But that could easily be explained as some mutated cells were still alive when the crash occurred, and they were enough to heal her or keep her alive until they became inert. There were a couple other minor things, but they aren't worth mentioning...
Overall, you should be able to tell if this film is something you want to buy or not. After all, no one knows you, the consumer, better than you. For me, it was very worthy of a purchase, and I articulated why I thought this was the best of the series thus far. Maybe that will carry some weight in your decision, maybe not. But for me, it worked on almost all levels, and I was able to suspend my disbelief and have a good time for almost two hours. If you like cool monsters, constant action and gunplay, post apocalyptic locales, and kick-ass tough guys and beautiful women with guns, then this film should work for you.
Obviously the impressive 3D version would greatly enhance this film, but its translation to 2D works just fine for the casual viewer.
I do have one more thing I'd like to mention. If you buy the film, watch the credits, as there is a second surprise ending about two minutes into it.
My review ends here, but I do want to mention the ending spoiler because I think it's important. So stop reading NOW if you are done with the review and don't want to know the second ending.
If you don't mind the SPOILER, continue reading.
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Obviously the film ends with a cliffhanger ending, but the second surprise ending with Sienna Guillory reprising her role as Jill Valentine really blew me away. Out of courtesy, I always watch the credits of movies I see. Well, when I was in the theater watching the ending credits of this film, I saw Guillory's name, but it confused me because I didn't remember seeing her. I kept wracking my brain trying to figure out if I missed a flashback scene, but then I simply chalked it up as a mistake on the part of the film---perhaps a flashback that was cut out, but not corrected in the credits. Well, about a minute later, we see her appearance, and to me, it was fantastic! Probably the highlight of the movie. Not only was it great to see her again (I had always wondered why Jill/Sienna wasn't in the last film, and I missd her), but Anderson also kept her current by modeling her after brainwashed "evil" Jill from 'Resident Evil 5'. What was even better, was, the brilliant costume. Remember when I said the costume designs were great? Jill's skintight and slinky combat suit was pulled off wonderfully. The style is a little different from the game, but it's a brilliant translation into real life, and Sienna looks absolutely stunning in it. Remember when I said Milla was a cat in human form? So is Sienna, but she's the proverbial bad kitty. She perfectly pulls of the sex kitten look with the feline walk, posture, and slight smirk as she looks at us, yet she also carries herself in confident manner that exudes the aura and demeanor of a deadly assassin. She is a perfectly stylized counter to Milla and Ali, and with a set up like this, I'm really looking forward to see what comes next. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the next installment.
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End of Spoiler.
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