September 24th sees the Blu Ray and DVD release of a new entry into the video game, movie and now CGI TV movie franchise that will not die no matter how many times you shoot it in the head. Considering its origin in videogames, it is apt that the franchise should continue in this CGI movie fashion.

And the CGI here isn't that bad. There are moments when it can't match the reality of human movement (the signature fight between duplicitous Ada Wong and equally duplicitous President Belikova for example), but on the whole it's good enough not to interfere with the telling of the story.

Ah yes, the story. Well, it's a Resident Evil movie so there has to be the requisite amount of running around in small, poorly lit corridors and industrial areas, killing off zombies and monsters in a fashion that is true to the game. There are also various levels of enemy, growing more powerful throughout from the zombie humans who are easy to kill to the giant humanoid soldiers who are all but indestructible, very much again in the manner of the videogame.

This is all set within a story which is really a duel of wits and monsters between the leader of the resistance and President, Leon being caught in between and Ada Wong turning up to muddy the waters along the way. Much of it is predictable and it is a thin framework on which to hang the action sequences.

It is, however, shot like a movie with some nice observational camerawork and occasional quiet moment. The characters, though, are little depth and vary from the shallow to the caricature. There is much that will be familiar from other films, but then that is part of the attraction of this particular franchise.

It's easy enough to watch and moderately entertaining, but ultimately disposable.

The Blu Ray and DVD are out on 24th September 2012.

Special Features

Las Plagas: Organisms of War featurette
The DNA of Damnation - Making of documentary
Gag Reel
Previews
Conceptual Art Gallery (Blu Ray Only)

Trailer

Top