Normally, I hate horror movies. While I see the Resident Evil movies more as monster action movies, they really are a horror franchise. For some reason, I enjoy these movies. OK. I admit it. It's probably because of Milla Jovovich running around and kicking ass while wearing tight clothing. Most guys my age were hopelessly infatuated with her as Leeloo in the Fifth Element. But I also do thing that these movies have terrific action and effects. With that element, Retribution continues the great tradition.
The effects are top notch. Everything looks quite real even though most of it is added after the fact. The action sequences are very good and as lifelike as they can be with monster zombies, etc. The fight scenes are well choreographed and use a terrific mix of regular speed and slow motion. The 3D was also used judiciously and just enough to almost make the viewer feel like they are actually there.
But that's the end of the positives in this one. There is basically no story development. Given the end of the previous one, it seemed like it could be a good continuation of trying to find a safe haven. But, if the ending is any indication, it was simply a bridge from that one to the next one. It was almost as if the film makers knew they needed to make a film to keep the momentum going but had no idea as to what to do for a story. So they just made a simple escape story with elements regurgitated from the previous movies. And, in making that, the actual dialogue suffers because there's no development and you do not care about any of the characters except Alice. Then, it's combined with some absolutely terrible acting. Everyone except Jovovich is downright terrible in this movie and even she seemed to be phoning it in sometimes. Some of it has to be because of the uninspired writing but, even with dialogue that could be good, every delivery is wooden and forced. This is especially true of Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine. I can't beging to express how horrible she is in this movie. And Binbing Li and Michelle Rodriguez are only slightly better.
If you are a fan of the franchise, you'll want to see it for the effects. You don't need to see the others to see this one because they spend the first few minutes giving a very concise exposition with everything you need to know (the overall story isn't that deep). But, if you do want to see this as a stand alone movie, I suggest you think twice and don't see it. There's really no story development and I'm sure you can pick it all up in the next one.
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