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After that, it's pretty much more of the same from the
first two films, with Jovovich -- here accompanied by a sturdy
band of actors familiar from the worlds of film, television,
music and comedy -- kicking a lot of zombie butt. As expected, the film led the North American box office
with estimated weekend sales of $24 million, a record for the
franchise. The rudimentary plot centers on the villainous corporation
that spawned the zombie generation now looking for a cure.
Hence their pursuit of the genetically altered Alice
(Jovovich), whose blood apparently holds the key to the virus.
Between their so-far-failed attempts to clone her (if only!),
they pursue her and her band of fellow renegades, who are
desperately trying to reach the safe regions of Alaska. Along the way, they make a pit stop in Las Vegas, now
reduced, as anyone who has seen the ubiquitous trailer knows,
to a ghost town overrun by the desert sands. Meanwhile,
thousands of rampaging zombies, all of whom seem to have been
hitting the gym regularly, attempt to literally eat them for
lunch. Fast-paced and filled with brisk action sequences,
including a nifty attack by a horde of CGI zombie crows and a
lengthy up-close-and-personal battle between Jovovich and
hundreds of zombie extras, the film should reasonably satisfy
the devotees. The actress, wielding a pair of swords like a chef from
Benihana, remains a striking action heroine, though she's more
convincing visually -- those taut thighs are weapons unto
themselves -- than vocally. Director Russell Mulcahy has
assembled a diverting ensemble of supporting players, including
the charismatic Oded Fehr (Showtime's "Sleeper Cell"), Ali
Larter (NBC's "Heroes"), hip-hop star Ashanti and comedian Mike
Epps. Reprising his role as the evil Dr. Isaacs is Iain Glen,
providing further evidence that the official retirement plan
for distinguished British stage actors apparently is appearing
in cheesy American B-movies. Needless to say, the film hedges its bets by ending with a
nifty setup for the next edition. Carlos Oliveira: Oded Fehr Claire Redfield: Ali Larter Albert Wesker: Jason O'Mara
Director: Russell Mulcahy; Screenwriter: Paul W.S.
Anderson; Producers: Paul W.S. Anderson, Jeremy Bolt, Robert
Kulzer, Samuel Hadida, Bernd Eichinger; Executive Producers:
Martin Moszkowicz, Victor Hadida, Kelly Van Horn; Director of
photography: David Johnson; Production designer: Eugenio
Caballero; Music: Charlie Clouser; Costume designer: Joseph
Porro; Editor: Niven Howie.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter |
All too eager to please
their fanboy base, the makers of "Resident Evil: Extinction"
begin the third installment of their successful sci-fi/horror
franchise with a naked shot of comely star 
