Resident Evil [Blu-ray]
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Movie Reviews of Resident Evil [Blu-ray]
Movie Review: RE1
Summary: 4 Stars
this was a great movie. arrived quickly
could be faster if usps was not used.
Movie Review: this is not the game
Summary: 3 Stars
7.1 THE FILM ITSELF
8.2 VISUALS
8.0 SOUND
7.5 PACKAGING
9.0 EXTRAS
When I first heard that there was going to be a Resident Evil film I was extremely excited. I've played all the games (like most reviewers on here probably) and I love the franchise for what it is and how it has suddenly seemed to actually grow and get better. But before the smash hit of the gamecube / PS2 / Wii game Resident Evil 4, there was the original of the film franchise: Resident Evil starring Milla Jovovich. And after numerous viewings, all I can say is that the film is decent, but nothing spectacular.
The bad part is that Resident Evil doesn't do one single thing exceptionally well. To be blunt, it tries to do very little in terms of what the games do. That's fine with me. I'm glad they didn't make a scene by scene rehash of the game, because what would be the point? So instead the creators made a more "action-focused" film. The problem is, the film lacks any good action sequences. There's dozens of better action movies out there.
The characters and the zombies are the other two major flaws. You don't really feel connected to any of the characters (except maybe Alice until she remembers who exactly she is) and the zombies are not frightening at all - because they just walk. So claustrophobic settings are needed. But it doesn't help all that much.
The general "mystery" of the film is good and the ending obviously leaves room for a sequel (Apocalypse), but it's the little things in between that make it a frustrating viewing. Loud pounding music one minute, bland dialogue from extraction team the next. I could easily see fans of the game franchise hating everything about this film. And if I had to choose between "love and hate" for the film, I'd personally choose hate.
8.2 VISUALS
This is not an impressive blu-ray by any means. Sure there are bright clean images, but it's nothing you'll stare in amazement at. It also doesn't help that we pretty much have 3 different set pieces for the entire film and most of the 94 minutes is spent in a white laboratory.
8.0 SOUND
I generally hate the soundtrack (score) of Resident Evil. At some points it's loud and blistering and at other times there is an eerie calm around the characters. At times it works, at tims it feels smothering. But even though I hate most of the soundtrack, it does fit well with the film for the most part.
7.5 PACKAGING
Packaging is good and nothing else. A decent menu screen - but gives away alot of the "jump scares" in the film. The cover is good as well, but as the film is, it prepares you for more of an action flick than a zombie horror movie, which I guess is good so no one gets confused about what they're watching.
9.0 EXTRAS
There are a plethora of extras here. From behind the scene segments to an alternate ending to a Slipknot music video (oh yeah! *sarcasm*), if you love the movie, you'll love the special features - most of them. But even if you were unhappy with the film it's hard not to be impressed with what the studio has thrown together here.
There are two commentaries, and let me be the first to say that the commentary with Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriquez is one of the worst I have ever heard. It's shocking to see how girly these two non-girly acting girls are when the camera isn't rolling (visually). The talk constantly and never let director Paul Anderson talk. It's annoying, mildly amusing, but overall you barely learn anything about the film. The second commentary is more detail oriented since it's Anderson and the main special effects guy talking. It's more concentrated, but extremely detailed, which will bore some people.
"Playing Dead" is the next feature where different people talk about the classic status of the videogame series and how it has changed videogames. If you know the history of the game series, you'll know everything here.
"The Making of Resident Evil" is exactly what most 'making ofs' are, a look at some behind the scenes and talking to the cast and crew. Nothing memorable or exciting, but a fun look at the production of the film.
"Scoring Resident Evil" contains quite the shock about who helped make the score for the film. It's these nice discoveries that make extra features worthwhile.
"Storyboarding Resident Evil" is the standard watching of scenes while we see what the storyboards show and the slight (or major) difference between the final product and first idea.
The next 8 features are detailed looks at a specific item or area from the film. Most are between 2-4 minutes. Some are worthwile ("The Laser") while some are cmpletely useless (" The Elevator").
1. Costumes
2. Set Design
3. The Creature
4. The Elevator
5. The Laser
6. The Train
7. Zombie Dogs
8. Zombies
The Alternate Ending comes with an introduction by Paul Anderson. It's a terrible ending to be honest, so I'm glad they kept with the "doom and gloom" ending otherwise this ending would've made the film probably worse than I already thought it was. But still fun to see what it may have been.
The last feature is the music video by Slipknot. The video is footage of Slipknot live in concert intertwined with scenes from the film. The sound is not from the live performance however. If you like Slipknot, you'll love this. If you don't like metal, you'll have no urge to watch this.
IN CLOSING
The film was disappointing for me personally not because it changed from the game series, but because it never seems to do any one thing great and it fails to make you feel scared or panicked. Luckily the special features make the blu-ray set worthwhile for collectors and for extra features fans alike. It's not a terrible film by any means, but for what it tries to be, dozens of other films do better.
7.4/10 "DECENT"
Movie Review: Cool concepts, characters/effects lacking realism
Summary: 3 Stars
First of, I am not a gamer, and am not familiar with the game. This was the first time I watched this Blu-Ray. Equipment used to watch, is Panasonic 42" Plasma, BD30K Blu-Ray player and Onkyo 605.
The story was engaging in that it was futuristic, and had some cool effects (although over computerized). I am rating it 3 stars, for the story and overall acting/movie. The PQ and AQ were above average, but not demo, with the picture a bit soft in parts. If you're a fan of the genre, give it a rent.
Movie Review: Blu ray movie looks good.
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed the series of Resident Evil. I bought the DVD before and decided to buy the Blu ray to see the difference. A 61 inches DLP did tell the difference between the picture quality of DVD and Blu Ray. It is fun to watch and the special effect still look good.Movie Review: Not a very good showing of high definition
Summary: 2 Stars
First off, let me say this. I love the Resident Evil movies, almost as much as the first 3 games. That being said let me best describe my review in a short but concise way as to why I gave it 2 stars.
I have this movie on DVD as well. I have an upscaling DVD player. My upscaled DVD version of this movie looks almost exactly the same as the supposed High Definition Blu Ray version using a PS3 on a Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD TV. I don't know the reason behind the lack of fidelity and image clarity, but honestly, except to say you have the Blu Ray version with the rest (I got the 2nd movie for free in that 5 free movies deal), go with upscaled DVD. The sound quality is better on BluRay, but not so much better it warrants buying the Blu Ray over the regular DVD movie.
Heck, I saw it on TV on an HD channel and it looked the same, that is, nothing special.
So it looks ok, but don't expect superb quality, and instead expect a lot of graininess.