Undead return in 'Apocalypse'
The 'Resident Evil' sequel displays a sense of humor.
By CHRIS HEWITT
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
What's in this fall? Zipper sweaters, ponchos and zombies.
In "Resident Evil: Apocalypse," they prefer to call them the undead, unlike in "Dawn of the Dead," which is about to hit video stores, and the upcoming "Shaun of the Dead," which opens in two weeks. But, in my book, if it staggers like a zombie, drips like a zombie and uhn-uhn-uhns like a zombie, it's a zombie.
These particular zombies have been unleashed on the fictional Raccoon City by an evil corporation, leaving babetastic Milla Jovovich and a few other plucky survivors to fight three vigorous foes: the undead, some slimy demons and a plus-sized humanoid with a rocket launcher. You might not know it from the numberless title, but "Apocalypse" is a sequel to "Resident Evil," one of those movies that did OK in theaters but was huge on home video. Aware that you might have taken a pass on the first film, this one opens with an efficient recap of the action so far.
Best of its kind
"Efficient" is a good word for "Apocalypse," which shines in comparison to other entries in the lamest current genre of film: videogame-based movies. Tough, expressive Jovovich is a fine heroine, there are several king-sized jolts and there's a nifty comeuppance for the character who shows up in all of these movies: the ambitious, soulless TV reporter.
"Apocalypse" even has a sense of humor about itself. At least, that's what I think is going on when one of the characters runs over a zombie and shouts, "10 points!" as if he's actually playing the "Resident Evil" video game. I hope that's what is going on when the movie focuses on a pair of stacked zombies who had the foresight to remove their tops before becoming undead. And I know it's playing with us in the clever finale, which -- surprise -- sets up the possibility of another sequel.
Although there may be one problem with that: Once you've used up the title "Apocalypse," what do you do for an encore?