July 17, 2002
Genreonline.net's Review of Resident Evil DVD

Title: Resident Evil: Special Edition
Region: One
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror Action
Stars: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Cremes, and Colin Salmon

Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson

Based On A Story By: Alan McElroy and Paul W.S. Anderson

Based On The Videogame By: Capcom

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Feature length: 101 minutes

Chapter Stops: 28

Languages: English and French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Subtitles: English Captions and Closed Captions and French Language Subtitles

Extra Features: Cast and Filmmaker’s Commentary, Featurettes, Music Video, Filmographies, Production Notes, and Theatrical Trailers

Packaging: Amaray Keep Case

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Year of Theatrical Release: 2002/DVD Release: 2002

Theatrical Distributor: Screen Gems

Home Video Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment

MPAA Rating: R

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

The history of movies based on videogames has been pretty dismal at best with the notable exception of Paul W.S. Anderson’s big screen adaptation of the first “Mortal Kombat” feature film for New Line Cinema. No surprise that he would be tapped to direct the big screen adaptation of the popular Capcom arcade hit “Resident Evil.” The film is a prequel to the original game bringing together elements such as the zombie Dobermans and the “Licker” and a host of flesh eating zombies into a sci-fi action horror film complete with a musical soundtrack from hell supervised by none other than Marilyn Manson.

As far as films based on videogames are “Resident Evil” is one of the best if not the best one. The best way to approach “Resident Evil” is to keep in mind that this is a film based on a videogame and is really operating under the rules that a videogame creates so the action is swift and elements will not really make complete sense, but for a pre-summer popcorn flick, “Resident Evil” is not bad.

There is a bit of satire in the idea of the “Umbrella Corporation,” a soulless company that secretly specializes in biological warfare becoming the host for the living dead that is never played up enough. Perhaps a script that focused more on bringing this clever aspect of the story would have made the film better. Anderson cuts between elements of action and serious horror, but never clearly decides what audience the film is intended for. The majority of the audiences who play the game are under 18, but while Anderson keeps the visceral terror high so that we do see the monsters in action, the film is not horrific and gory enough to satisfy zombie film fans, which regardless of whether or not the filmmakers think this should be considered a zombie film, by default because of the nature and elements inherent to the film does make “Resident Evil” a part of that sub genre of horror films. So if you are going to go for the “R” rating on a zombie flick than go all the way. The outcome of the film is actually less brutal than the arcade counterpart. In one scene a person is grabbed and seemingly torn to pieces by tons of zombies. Now if we never see this character again then I would say, “Great. We don’t need to see the guy get torn apart. The screams, shock, and music are effective enough.” However later we a zombie version of the guy walking around and all I can think is if this guy was not overwhelmed by twenty or so zombies then maybe there would be something left to walk around, but it wasn’t one of two, it was a bunch of them and so the terror is now diluted.

The film does reference a room filled with the body parts of early victims that suddenly is empty, but with no zombies in the area and no blood to suggest they have been moved, the question is left unanswered and feels more like a continuity error than anything mysterious. The zombies themselves are not nearly as fierce as George A. Romero’s classic counterparts, but no one makes a zombie film like George Romero so if you should ever read this Mr. Romero, show the new generation of filmmakers out there how to make a frightening zombie film by directing a fourth film in your “Dead” series please!

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment presents “Resident Evil” on DVD-Video as a “Special Edition” complete with an anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio that preserves the theatrical exhibition image. The transfer was down converted from a high definition master, but the image quality is somewhat uneven with some visible grain clearly apparent in much of the film’s darker scenes, which is a problem since much of “Resident Evil” takes place underground within “The Hive.” That is not to say that there are not moments where the picture is truly magnificent because there is, but it is not consistent. I would say this is a good candidate for Columbia TriStar’s “Superbit” series of films on DVD were it not that a more deluxe two disc edition is in the works for an as yet unannounced future release date. In fact there are references to deleted scenes as well as an alternate ending and other commentaries on the feature length commentary track, so I guess we’ll get to see and hear them whenever the deluxe version is released to DVD.

The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is great with some awesome use the 6 channels to create a true three-dimensional home theater experience mixing the dialogue, sound effects and score to a maximum effect. A French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is supplied along with English Captions and Closed Captions as well as French Language Subtitles encoded on to the DVD as options. I really wish an English DTS Soundtrack were included too, but maybe in the deluxe version.

Actresses Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez participate in a lively feature length audio commentary track with Producer Jeremy Bolt and Writer and Director Paul W.S. Anderson. Jovovich and Rodriguez have a great time goofing a bit on each other’s characters as well as commenting on the production in Germany and various anecdotes. Bolt and Anderson are more serious, but in a way that is relaxed enough to keep the Actresses focused and still have fun. At one point Jovovich comments, “We’re going to watch the whole thing?” and contrary to how it sounds, I’m sure she was joking (I hope).

There are a few cameos and references made in the film such as the film’s opening narration and the uncredited scientist whose blue eyes we see near the end are none other than longtime Anderson film Actor Jason Isaacs and the scene I referenced above where one of the team members is overwhelmed and seemingly torn apart by something like twenty zombies is a direct homage to Romero’s own “Day Of The Dead.” I am not sure if this casting choice was intentional, but the casting of the military team leader known simply as “One” as played by Colin Salmon has an uncanny resemblance to Actor Ken Foree, who played the African American SWAT team member of the group of survivors who find temporarily solace within a fortified shopping mall as portrayed in George A. Romero’s “Dawn Of The Dead.”

The menus feature full motion animation to look like a readout of “The Hive” with animated transitions that feature music and sound bytes from the film as well as a full motion scene to a character themed standard interactive still frame menu, which is easy to navigate as well. The image of “Milla” appears in the audio choices while “Michelle” appears in the caption and subtitle choice menu. The scene selection menu features vials of the “virus” and the “Red Queen” oversees the special features menu. Colin Salmon appears in the trailers menu. Overall I found the attention to detail and care involved in rendering these DVD interactive menus to be a refreshing change of pace to some of the bland menus that are encoded on some DVD releases from various distributors.

The special features include a 27-minute behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews from the set, an 11-minute “Scoring Resident Evil” featurette with interviews by non other than Marilyn Manson and Marco Beltram as well as Writer and Director Paul W.S. Anderson. A 30-second CD soundtrack spot follows. There is a 3-½ minute costume design featurette, a 4-minute production design featurette, and a creepy reel of zombie makeup tests too.

The music video for “Slipknot’s” “My Plague” is included and is basically a filmed live performance video with scenes from “Resident Evil” cut within it. Cast and Director filmographies wrap up the extra features along with anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) theatrical trailers for “Resident Evil,” “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within,” “XXX,” “Men In Black II,” “Spider-man,” and “Formula 51” and all of trailers are presented with full English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. There is an insert with production notes within the DVD keep case as well.

Overall this is a pretty good DVD release from Columbia TriStar and definitely worth checking out regardless of what may follow. “Resident Evil: Special Edition” will debut on DVD-Video on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

© Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.

[Thanks to www.GenreOnline.net for the above information.



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