Actors: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillroy, Kevin Durand, Boris Kodjoe
Directors: Paul W.S. Anderson
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 21, 2012
Run Time: 95 minutes
Film: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4.5 out of 5 stars
When I went to the theaters to see “Resident Evil: Retribution”, I had no idea it was going to be one of my favorite movies in the series, nor my favorite of the year. My expectations were completely blown away with this film. It is hard to believe that the 5th film in the franchise will surpass the film’s before it…but it sure does! “Resident Evil: Retribution” takes what is amazing about this franchise and amps to to 11 (and above)! It doesn’t get old watching Milla Jovovich in skin-tight leather kicking zombie ass. It reminds me of Kate Beckinsale in “Underworld” but between me and you Milla does it better.
In this fifth film, there are tons of return characters, despite being dead (that doesn’t mean they are zombies either – see the movie to known what I mean). Michelle Rodriguez comes back in her role of Rain Ocampo from the first “Resident Evil”, as well as another character also. Colin Salmon or better known as “One” also from the first “Resident Evil” comes back with in this installment. My favorite return is Sienna Guillory aka the sexy Jill Valentine comes back, this time as a baddie. She is mega-hot and also kicks some mega-ass. Oded Fehr from “RE: Apocalypse” and “RE: Extinction” comes back from the dead but not the way that you would think. We find out what happened to Luther West (Wentworth Miller) as he returns as well. Lastly, and probably fan favorite Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts) is back and very helpful to Alice – or is he?
What I liked about the opening of this film is that you do not need to see the first five films in order to enjoy this. It literally goes back and covers all the important ground. Now if you have seen the previous film it only makes better, like the end scene from “Afterlife” being played backwards in slow-motion. Perfect way to start the movie. The 3D effects in the film are the best that I have seen throughout the entire year! Seriously! There is tons of in-your-face moments and also adds to some great jumps. The depth added throughout and it really works with the films’ action. Speaking of the action, from the moment it starts, this film is a 90+ minute rollercoaster ride.
Official Synopsis: The Umbrella Corporations deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human races last and only hope, ALICE (Jovovich), awakens in the heart of Umbrella’s most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Without a safe haven, Alice continues to hunt those responsible for the outbreak; a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything that she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun.
Sony is releasing this film in a very nice 2-Disc Combo Pack, including the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVD, as well as UltraViolet digital streaming copy. The film works well in 2D but it looses a bit of its charm. The 3D in the theaters was great but I have to say that the 1080p transfer on the Blu-ray is really sharp and draws you in so well. The film literally plays like a video game, which is the way it should be and works best with the transfer. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sounds beyond amazing. Since the film is literally a 90-minute roller coaster ride, the sound is constantly pumping giving the surround system quite the workout.
The special features on this release is nothing short of stunning just like the film itself. I am nothing but 100% satisfied that there are actually 3D special features. Sony is getting a name for doing this after “Men in Black III” and “The Amazing Spider-Man”. It is not much but there are still deleted & extended Scenes and Outtakes in 3D that are exclusive to the Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray. On disc two there are also six exclusive featurettes, each better than the next. ”Maestro of Evil: Directing Resident Evil: Retribution” looks into Anderson returning to the franchise as the director of the film. “Resident Evil: Reunion” looks into this huge cast reunion as I described above. “Evolving Alice” show about Jovovich keeps playing Alice fresh. “In Design & Build: The World of Resident Evil: Retribution” looks into creating the gigantic sets for this gigantic film. “Resident Stuntman” gives a look into the action stunts with stunt coordinator Nick Powell. Lastly, “Code: Mika” is a short look with star Mika Nakashima, as she reprises her role as J-Pop Girl.
The rest of the bonus features include various cast, director and producer commentary tracks. They each provide different perspectives from the production. There is also on final featurette “Drop (Un)Dead: The Creatures”, which is a look into the various creatures from the franchise with the cast/crew. There is also an interactive map called ” Project Alice: The Interactive Database”, which will allows you to investigate the living, the dead and the undead of the “Resident Evil”. I would also like to note that “The Complete Series: Resident Evil 1-5” will also be available on Blu-ray with UltraViolet starting December 21st, including each 2D feature film in the Resident Evil franchise.