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Resident Evil

Sony Pictures, VHS, DVD, 2002, Rated R, 1 hr. 40 min.

I was warned that this movie was very stupid, but I found it mildly suspenseful and entertaining.  I know nothing about the video game on which this is based, but I'm ready to play it now.

This movie is about a commando team that must break into "The Hive," an enormous underground research laboratory, where a deadly virus has been unleashed.  The virus turns its victims into zombies and the team has three-hours to shut down the lab's computer system before the virus spreads to all of mankind.  

While watching this I was reminded of Night of the Living Dead, which isn't a bad thing.  The cast is interesting and the way the story unfolds, you're not sure who is "good" and who is "bad."  Which is good.  

I've been a fan of Milla Jovovich since The Fifth Element, and she did an outstanding job here as a kick-ass commando.  She can pull off tough and vulnerable at the same time.  

To its detriment, this movie tries a little too hard to be taken seriously, especially when trying to make the zombies scary.  They are scary more because of their sheer numbers rather than the make-up job.

I didn't like the ending and found it a little confusing, but I'm told it makes more sense if you know something about the video game. 

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http://sonypictures.com/movies/residentevil/

Reviewed by: Hauntmistress 9/01/2002