Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is the sixth and final installment of the horror action franchise starring Milla Jovovich, a model turned actor and action screen legend. One usually watches a Resident Evil film for the action sequences, but Resident Evil: The Final Chapter actually gives its audience a story that though predictable if you can recognize voices, is still enjoyable and renewed my determination to rewatch the entire series in a crazy marathon to see if it holds up as a series of films. I rarely buy DVDs, but immediately after watching the film, I started to look online to see if any were available. Sadly the only available box sets were the first four films. Sony Entertainment, let me give you my money!
When you live in a world where the government and corporations seem to be doing everything to destroy the planet and the human race (#notallgovernments, #notallcorporations), a film like Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is actually reassuring because it seems more like a plan than sheer cruelty and stupidity. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter actually does capitalize on the Dominionist agenda that has resurged in power, but does not linger too long on that note.
After such film disasters as Ghost in the Shell, can audiences stop taking for granted movies like Resident Evil: The Final Chapter and Jovovich. Jovovich is hot, but her character is also practical and realistic in comparison to Johansson’s “Let me get into fight mode by wearing something tighter that will accentuate my boobs.” People take her growly voice and her steely gaze for granted, but she has been holding down this franchise for a little less time than I have been a lawyer, and now she is 40 and a mom. Sure other female action stars could do the same, but they don’t usually get the chance. Unlike Underworld, her films don’t overreach and disappoint. She will kick ass, save the world, look good while doing it, but not look like a damn fool. When she needs to, she can act (A Perfect Getaway), but what is acting if not convincing everyone that you are a badass, unstoppable warrior during the zombie apocalypse. My favorite Jovovich film will always be the director’s cut of Ultraviolet, but Resident Evil has always been a reliable film for aging and young women who want to do action and not just be the love interest. Remember when Ali Larter looked like the next big thing then disappeared because Heroes self-imploded. She is still getting checks from Resident Evil.
I loved Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. We haven’t had a solid story and great action in a long time in this franchise. While viewers such as myself will settle for solid action sequences, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter made me want to start again and relive the story from the beginning (not a reboot without Jovovich, thank you very much).