Resident Evil: Afterlife (12/28/2010)

Rated R for sequences of strong violence and language

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Death Race, AVP: Alien vs. Predator, Resident Evil)

Starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Boris Kodjoe and Wentworth Miller

Resident Evil: Afterlife is a zombie movie, that’s a lot like a zombie…you know mindless and violent.

In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into zombies, Alice (Jovovich), continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead – and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.

This movie plays more like a video game than a film (yes I know it is based on a video game) – there is a ton of violence and a killer soundtrack. And I’ll admit I was entertained through most of it. There were plenty of special effects and “Matrix” style shots, but it felt like eating ice cream for dinner…eventually you need some meat and potatoes.

The dialogue is minimal and the story is almost nonexistent. I feel somewhat silly saying this movie didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Not because I didn’t understand it, but because it is ridiculously simple and you really get the sense story was not the driving force for the film. I mean I’m convinced they had certain ideas about special effects and those “Matrix” style shots, and wrote the story around them. For example there is a scene with a giant wielding a giant ax. There’s no explanation as to who or what it is or where it came from…but it was still pretty fun to watch him.

This is the fourth Resident Evil film and there is sure to be more to come. Sure some scenes were pretty cool, but I can’t give this movie anything higher than an Only if Free.


SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is an extraordinary amount of violence and scary images which makes me think it’s a definite no for younger kids.

Conversation Starter

Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What was the theme (or the message) of this movie?

A: This is a zombie movie…soooo I’m not real sure…but if I had to guess, I’d say the film focused on the importance of relationship with others, and the hope of an end to suffering.

All throughout the movie, Alice is trying to find survivors and make her way to Arcadia, a place that’s supposedly a safe haven. She believes if she can get there, she will find help, friends, and a way to overcome the evil Umbrella Corporation.

Q: As Christians, what should our reaction to this movie be?

A: Although the movie is built on a fairly silly premise, our reaction to the overall message of the movie should be a serious one. Christians know what Alice was searching for in life – a place where suffering will come to an end.

For us, that place is Heaven. Listen to how God describes Heaven in Revelation 21:1-7.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Not only will there NOT be zombies in Heaven, but there will be the presence of God! He promises to right every wrong, to wipe away every tear, and remain with His people forever. That’s better than Arcadia any day!

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?

A: We need to constantly trust God that He will bring His justice in His timing. Right now, we all live in a broken world, filled with evil and suffering. But a day is coming when He will supernaturally intervene and usher His people into Heaven. On that day, those who have followed Christ will begin their eternal dwelling with Him. All of God’s promises will be fulfilled, and God will comfort His people forever.