I fully expected the sixth and (supposedly) final Resident Evil film to be absolutely dreadful.
After an encouraging start – yes, I am one of those people who enjoyed the first two films – the zombie horror/action films based on the successful video game series really have gone downhill.
The last two offerings, Afterlife (2010) and Retribution (2012), were particularly rubbish and had wandered way too far away from the source material.
Thankfully, The Final Chapter (although largely flawed) feels much more like the first two films and at least allows the series to end on an acceptable note.
Indeed, it’s even pretty accessible for newbies as we’re treated to a much-needed catch up in the opening moments.
Voiced by series hero Alice (Mila Jovovich), it pieces the story of the previous five films together nicely and actually raised my expectations from the get go.
I’ll not go into great detail to catch you up if you’re new to the ‘Resi’ series, but here it is in short. A deadly disease called the T-Virus has essentially wiped out most of humanity, turning the living into undead zombies and ushering in the apocalypse.
Manufactured by the deplorable Umbrella corporation, the virus has turned the earth into a wasteland with very few survivors left. Fans will know that this event took place in the fictional Racoon City – and the Final Chapter takes us back there.
Alice is told by an unlikely ally that there is a cure to the T-Virus, but also that she has a matter of hours to reach Umbrella’s base – dubbed the Hive. She must track down the cure and release it before all of humanity is wiped out forever.
Standing in her way are Iain Glen’s villainous Dr Alexander Isaacs and (of course) Shawn Roberts’ Wesker, as well the huge army of undead.
Also returning here is series regular Claire Redfield (Ali Larter), while the talented Ruby Rose is among a few fresh faces introduced.
While I mostly enjoyed The Final Chapter, let’s get the chief negatives out of the way first: the CGI is hard to watch. For a series that relies on it to bring the many monsters to life, you expect much better.
It was also a shame to see some characters massively under-used, with one significant actor killed off in true ‘extra’ fashion after barely being introduced.
But, as mentioned above, this is the best Resident Evil film in more than a decade.
The story, however far-fetched, works as a finale.
As ever, Jovovich is great as Alice. Her battles with Glen, a fine actor, are among the highlights of the series.
The return to Hive was also a real bonus, including some moments that pay homage to the original.
There are also a few decent twists that I enjoyed, too – although the ending doesn’t quite hit the spot.
Don’t get me wrong, The Final Chapter isn’t a great film.
But, if you’re invested in the series, it’s a decent enough conclusion that should at least satisfy you.
VOICE VERDICT: 6.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Jovovich
+ Decent finale
+ Best Resident Evil film in years…
–…but sadly that doesn’t say much
– Poor CGI
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Feb 10 to Thurs, Feb 16)
**JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (15)
8.15pm (Tues)
**FIFTY SHADES DARKER (18)
Noon (not Fri/Wed), 2.40pm (daily), 4pm (Fri/Sat), 5.30pm (daily), 7.30pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily), 9pm (Fri), 10.15pm (Fri/Sat)
**PITBULL: TOUGH WOMEN (18)
8.15pm (Sun)
**LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (U)
2D – Noon (not Fri), 2.30pm (daily), 5pm (daily)
3D – 10am (not Fri), 3.25pm (not Fri), 8.10pm (not Tues)
RINGS (15)
6.30pm (daily), 10.30pm (Sat)
RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER 2D (15)
9.50am (Thurs), 3.45pm (Fri), 8.45pm (not Fri/Thurs)
SING (U)
2D – 10.30am (not Fri), 12.15am (not Fri), 2.45pm (daily)
3D – 1pm (not Fri), 5.45pm (daily)
SPLIT (15)
10.15pm (Fri/Sat)
T2: TRAINSPOTTING (18)
5.20pm (daily), 8pm (not Sun/Fri), 8.45pm (Fri)
LA LA LAND (12A)
1pm (not Sun/Weds), 3.45pm (Weds/Thurs)
KIDS’ CLUB
Sat-Thurs 10.15am – Trolls 3D (U)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – T2: Trainspotting (18)
SUBTITLED SHOWING
Tuesday – Lego Batman 2D 3.45pm (U)
**FREE LIST SUSPENDED
