Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Eoin Macken, Fraser James, Ruby Rose, William Levy
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Horror, Science Fiction
2017

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Alice (Milla Jovovich) returns to Raccoon City for a final showdown with the Umbrella Corporation.

Review:

Tim: Well, here we are at the "end" of the Resident Evil franchise. It's hard to believe after 6 movies and 15 years, we're closing this franchise out (until the inevitable reboot at some point). You do have to give this franchise credit- while it never actually produced a single good movie, it was remarkably consistent over a long period of time. This final installment doesn't offer anything new or particularly exciting. It's on par with the last three films, quality-wise. It's okay, but that's about all you can say.

These movies have always been quite redundant. The plot lines all seem to merge together. What differentiates this film from the others, besides a different title? Honestly, not much. Alice fights zombies in all shapes and sizes, but it's the Umbrella Corporation that's the real villain. The action is average, the special effects are average. There's simply not a whole lot to say. Paul W.S. Anderson has directed four of the six movies in this franchise. It's like he's not even trying anymore. He got stuck in a rut and happily followed the same formula again and again. After the fourth film hit the franchise peak in terms of box office ($60 million), the fifth film dropped $18 million and this, last movie dropped another $16 million from that. In two films, this franchise went from $60MM to $26MM. Audiences have clearly spoken, and this franchise ends with a whimper. Anderson just showed up, moved a few pieces around, and gave us the same basic film, albeit one that finally wraps up the various plots from the five previous films. When this movie finally ends, there isn't a sense of accomplishment, of reaching a destination. It ends with the same kind of shrug-inducing conclusion we've come to expect from this franchise.

Milla Jovovich is fine as Alice. She honestly seems a little bored with the role. She's played it six times now and it didn't feel like she really pushed the envelope for the last ride. It was kind of the same thing we've seen before. Jovovich isn't bad in the role- these movies wouldn't work if she totally phoned it in. She shows up and goes through the motions and it's totally fine. I liked seeing Iain Glen here again. He makes a worthwhile adversary. It was also great getting Ali Larter back- she's a trooper to show up for the third time here. The rest of the cast is average to below average. I don't know, it's hard to know what to say. I feel like I keep writing about the same movie again and again.

I suppose it was kind of cool to see the return to Raccoon City and The Hive. Maybe it was slightly cool and nostalgia to return to where it all began. It also reminded me that the first movie (which is still the best movie) was a long time ago and this franchise has never returned to that initial height. So, I guess it was mixed. Like most of the things with this movie. I have to criticize Paul W.S. Anderson the writer for this. In addition to his poor direction, he wrote the movie. He's not a good writer, he has consistently proven that. His lazy writing is full of plot holes and lackluster elements. For the last chapter of this franchise, we needed something fresh and exciting. Instead, we got more of the same.

I'm glad this franchise is coming to an end. It's been an okay ride, but the viewers deserve better than this. I'm sure someone will reboot this franchise at some point and that's not actually a bad thing. They need to jettison Anderson, move on from Jovovich. It's time to put the nail in the coffin of this version of the franchise. Let's hope this one stays dead.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Resident Evil: Retribution