Resident Evil: Afterlife [Blu-Ray]

By this fourth instalment, you should know whether or not Resident Evil is the type of film world you want to spend time in. Afterlife is more of the same barely coherent plot devices propping up a brittle story based on a series of shock'n'schlock set pieces featuring a wicked cool, drop-undead-sexy Milla Jovovich. Only this time, with series shepherd Paul W.S. Anderson back in the director's chair, everything has been pumped full of steroids. Anderson is known for trying really, really hard to make good genres films, but he simply lacks the skill set to make a balanced picture; it's not like he's Uwe Boll. Here, Anderson is rejuvenated, inspired and ecstatic, doing the best visual work of his career. Yes, the odd shot and special effect is a little dodgy, but the bulk the art design and cinematography is pretty gorgeous in its ham-fisted, over-the-top way. Oh, right, the excuse for this episode's mayhem comes from a mix of Anderson's ongoing Alice (Milla) story, picking up directly after the previous film, and elements of Resident Evil 5, the game. Alice is still waging war on the Umbrella Corporation, as the T-virus continues to swallow humanity, putting a major hit on an underground facility for the opening action sequence. After a confrontation with super-villain Albert Wesker supposedly strips Alice of her powers (or at least some of them, she still walks away from a plane crash), she heads to Alaska where Claire Redfield (Heroes' Ali Larter) and the other survivors were headed in search of a safe haven known as Arcadia. It's a shame 3D-TVs aren't ready for average consumers yet, as Afterlife is designed specifically for 3D and shot using those fancy Avatar cameras. One of the behind-the-scenes features covers the process in detail. On-set family footage of Milla, husband/director Anderson and their kid is a big dose of adorable, as is the inclusion of an outtake reel ― watching Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter crack up in super-slow motion HD is amongst the best gag reel moments I've witnessed. A look at Milla's intensive stunt work is pretty awesome; a segment on the film's connections to the game explains a few ultra-cheesy shot choices; and the deleted scenes explain things more easily clarified by the fact that this is a Resident Evil film entry. It's a tent-pole B-movie franchise with a hot and mostly likeable cast, and Afterlife is the most fun edition yet.