Resident Evil: Afterlife - Or should that be 'Afterthought'

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Is it over now?  Please say it's over!

Year: 2010
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Overall Rating: 2.5 stars
Rewatchability: Low

Alice is back!  This time she must battle Agent Smith for control of the Matrix.  Oops, wrong movie.  It's so easy to get confused.

Is this a movie, video game, or just another 3D tech-demo?  I really can't tell for sure, but at least all of the blatant 3D moments are presented in slow motion.  I wouldn't have wanted to miss one.

Obviously, this movie was never meant to be seen in 2D.  In the opening scene alone, there are at least 5 obvious paddle balls as Neo, Trinity, Morpheus, and the rest of the gang (All played by Milla Jovovich) fight the evil Agent Smith in an attempt to bring an end to the Umbrella Corporation and help save the few remaining survivors of the T-virus.  At least there are plenty of particle effects such as exploding pillars, blood, spraying water, and bullet-time to make sure you're 'wow'ed by the 3D-ness of the whole production.

There are plenty of shambling zombies shuffling around. (or should that be 'shambling around')  Too bad they're usually too far in the background to do much more than remind you that you're watching Resident Evil instead of the previously mentioned blockbuster from 11 years ago.  Oddly enough, both movies grossed just about the same amount even with Afterlife opening on almost 1000 more screens.  With almost the same budget you really have to wonder where Mr. Anderson spent all of that cash.

The casting is reasonable, as usual.  Of course that could be because Milla takes control and all the rest are just along for the ride.  In the end, it's a reasonable attempt at an action flick even though it may leave viewers wanting just a bit more creativity.

Directors really should realize that 3D is an EFFECT, not a plot element.