Resident Evil: Retribution [3D] (2012)
Brief review: The fifth entry in the "Resident Evil" series starts off with a spectacular opening sequence, shot in both a reverse order and slow motion, but soon after that, it turns into the same old same fare we've seen, well, four times before. The paper-thin plot is basically an excuse for killing zombies, but the problem is there are not enough zombies in the movie, and that takes away from the fun. Paul W.S. Anderson, who also directed the 'original' movie and last year's "Aftelife" is well-known for his ability to shoot eye-candy action, featuring shattering glass, huge explosions, highly-stylized fighting and tons of slow-mo, and here, he does it with flair and style yet again. During the action scenes, he uses lots of cool tricks and flashy camera work, and successfully manages to provide the audience with a spectacle, that will please any action fan out there. However, the lack of actual plot constrains him to unnecessarily overextend most of the scenes in the movie, and that combined with the lack of proper cohesiveness, and neat pacing, make "Resident Evil: Retribution" feel a bit confusing, at times surprisingly dull, and generally all over the place. The use of 3D is unimpressive, yet far from terrible, and luckily, the CGIs and creature effects are spot-on. The gorgeous Milla Jovovich proves herself yet again as one helluva badass female action star, but sadly she doesn't really have much to work with.
Overall summary: Worse than "Aftelife", yet better than "Extinction", "Retribution" is a so-so installment in the "Resident Evil" franchise, that won't win any new fans, but will still be appreciated by those seeking for mindless entertainment, cool zombie kills, and frantic action.
10 comments:
I don't know why Hollywood feels it necessary to keep reproducing the same old themes over and over. It really does perpetuate the myth "there is nothing new" to be discovered in fiction.
......dhole
Donna, I agree. Hollywood ran out of ideas long time ago and it shows. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching the same movie over and over again. It's ridiculous.
but is it REALLY the end of the franchise. Cuz I'm getting dead tired of seeing this flick popping up in my theaters over and over again...
Kaijinu, it certainly isn't. The ending was left open for another entry. I kinda like the franchise, but it started to become a bit tiresome.
I just saw this and I loved every second like I have the other films in this awesome franchise. I think Michelle, Milla and Sienna were total badasses. The fight sequence at the end with Michelle was epic!There should have been more zombies, but I was hooked. LOL I want more Alice and Rain. I'm in for a dozen more. Why should they kill off the most succesful horror franchise headed by a woman? :)
I'm still off line for the most part, but I wanted to stop in and say hi while I had the chance. You know you're one of my fave people on this planet, sweetie. :)
Mel, you did? And I thought it was pretty sub-par, especially compared to the awesome "Afterlife". I actually thought the fight scene at the end was kind of lame, but the rest of the action I liked. Sorry about that. I love Milla, and I thought she rocked the house yet again. Just can't get enough of her. Glad you enjoyed it more than I did. :)
You can't even imagine how much I miss you and your precious comments. It's just not the same here without you. I hope you get back real soon. Huge hugs for the coolest women in the world!:)
Worse than "Afterlife"... eep... that don't sound good to me.
I've actually enjoyed all of the Resident Evil films, for the most part. I actually think that the first one is the worst one so far... Don't get me wrong, I think that they are all terrible movies, but something about them, I end up having fun. Sounds like this is sort of up that same alley.
Even so, I'll wait for the DVD.
http://www.zombiehall.com/2012/09/resident-evil-afterlife.html
Cheers!
Kev, I quite enjoyed Afterlife and thought it was the best since the original. I get your point - those are not great films at all, but at the same time, they're pretty enjoyable and worth checking out on the big screen, because of the action and special effects.
Thanks for the comment.
With you on this one George. Really didn't find Retribution any way enjoyable.
J-Son, haven't seen you here in a while, buddy. Glad to see you back. Glad we're on the same page regarding RE5. I thought it was mildly enjoyable, and nothing that special, even in terms of pure mindless entertainment.
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