Film review: Our alternative take on Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

Resident Evil has come a long way, originally its game series and the six-film series that followed. The latest (and apparently final) instalment in the film franchise is Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.

There's little doubt that when the first Resident Evil popped up in 2002 that it was the start of something big. At a time when apocalypse and 'zombie' films were at their peak, it was almost a question of whether the trend could survive, echoing the all-powerful Red Queen's statement, "You're all going to die down here". But somehow, the Resident Evil series stood the test of time.

Why? Could it be that the series is one a huge box office hit? Could it be that Milla Jovovich enthralled us all as Alice? Could it be that once you're hooked, you keep coming back for more?

Resident Evil: Final Chapter a conclusion to the bloodshed and although I'm trying hard to like it, unlike our fellow contributor Damian's views, this film just doesn't sit well with me as a long time addict.

This film has Paul W.S. Anderson at the helm as director and writer this time. He not only wrote the script for the first film, but also four others in the series.

After encountering those mutated, otherworldly creatures (a nod to the game series), Alice is on a trip from the obliterated Washington DC to the obliterated Racoon City. Her mission is to end the plague that Umbrella Corporation spread once and for all.

Ali Larter rejoins the cast as Claire, along with Iain Glen (Dr. Isaacs), Shawn Roberts (Wesker), Ruby Rose (Abigail), Eoin Macken (Doc) and Fraser James (Razor).

Without giving too much in the way of spoilers, this film has been ruthless with the action editing and has a massive CGI budget to boot. That CGI budget seemed to fizzle out just before the end of the film.

While there was a beautiful fiery waterfall cascading down a hollowed shell of a skyscraper and the zombie dogs looked terrifying, there were also a couple of nods back to iconic scenes in the film that started it all.

Often the scenes spliced together in such a way that typified bad 80s actions films. Too many cutaways and  the kind of scenes that feature the bad guy saying throwaway lines that add little to the film ('find her' and 'fire' being just two).

The film is definitely not short of explosions, stunts, fight scenes and gruesome demises so fans who have been following the film for its action will not be disappointed.

For those who have been interested in the overarching story as to how the T-Virus originally started, what went so horribly wrong, how the clones fit into things and how it all ended, you will get answers.

The 3D screening does enhance the experience a little; but there's nothing massively attention-grabbing about how it looks. In combination with the sepia-toned desert wastelands, grey machines and blindingly bright interior of The Hive, it does its job.

But much like the demise of 3D home entertainment, maybe Hollywood will learn that not every film needs to have the 3D effect.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is in cinemas now.