Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW
Resident Evil
MPA Rating:
for strong sci-fi/horror violence, language and sexuality/nudity.
for strong sci-fi/horror violence, language and sexuality/nudity.
Reviewed by: Jonathan Rothgeb
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Very Offensive |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults |
| Genre: | Action Horror Thriller |
| Length: | 1 hr. 40 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2002 |
| USA Release: |
Relevant Issues
| Featuring | Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes |
| Director |
Paul Anderson |
| Producer | Bernd Eichinger, Paul Anderson, Jeremy Bolt, Samuel Hadida |
| Distributor |
 Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment |
“Resident Evil” is one of those movies that, as a Christian, I have a hard time with. But it’s not for reasons you might—it’s because I liked it. So what’s the problem with that? “Resident Evil” has no morally redeeming value unless you want to give it points for showing people working together under pressure.
This is another one of those movies based on a popular computer game of the same name. However, it’s probably the best yet of that limited genre. The story begins with a money hungry company called Umbrella Corp. that makes strides into the dark would of genetic research and military-based viral research. This is all located in an underground bunker called the “Hive”. All the employees live and work there to keep things hush hush.
The next thing you know, somebody lets one of the super viruses loose and so ensues the problem. Soon the elite commandos arrive and find our blond, amnesiac hero (Milla Jovovich) and her so called husband (James Purefoy) and drag them along for the ride. As it turns out they find the whole place devoid of any living people but full of viral induced zombies and genetically altered creatures who seem to be helped by a psychotic computer named Red Queen. It all leads to a heart-pounding, adrenalin-pumping adventure.
The cursing is not as bad as may be expected. There were four uses of the “F” word and one “S” word. The most morally troubling is three scenes of nudity including one of full female frontal nudity. It is also quite graphic in its depiction of blood-sucking, skin-eating zombies. To be honest, I found the movie very entertaining but very troubling at the same time.
I cannot comfortably recommend “Resident Evil”. But if you decide to see it, take with you the knowledge that it is not for the faint of heart or the faint of Spirit.
Positive
Positive—I am a big fan of this movie. I have never played the games but have heard much about them and it looked like Paul Anderson hit this movie exactly right with how the whole Resident Evil atmosphere is. The violence and gore aren’t what I expected it to be. (Which is a good thing!) But there was still some gross stuff in it. The language isn’t to harsh. I was expecting to hear profanity left and right and for the most part… I didn’t hear it to awfully much, but it’s there.
I love this movie because it shows just how dangerous genetic experimentation can be. Maybe not to that extent as to having zombies, but shows how genetic experimentation is dangerous. The bottom line: See this movie if you like horror/action movies. This movies delievers with that. Don’t see the movie expecting to see oscar worthy material (well, maybe for the zombie makeup) and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
[Somewhat Offensive / 4½]
I love this movie because it shows just how dangerous genetic experimentation can be. Maybe not to that extent as to having zombies, but shows how genetic experimentation is dangerous. The bottom line: See this movie if you like horror/action movies. This movies delievers with that. Don’t see the movie expecting to see oscar worthy material (well, maybe for the zombie makeup) and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
[Somewhat Offensive / 4½]
Dru Floyd
Positive—When I first saw the previews for Resident Evil, there was no doubt in my mind I was going to see it. And for the most part, I was not disappointed in the least. For one I was grateful for the fact that this movie had a decent script that did not have the F-word in each sentence like so many do today. Although there was slight nudity and language, that was kept at a minimum, which let me enjoy the movie more. Unfortunately, not the best in dialogue for an action movie, but still great in my book.
[Better than Average / 4]
[Better than Average / 4]
Andrew, age 20
Neutral
Neutral—Resident Evil’s storyline is very predictable due to the fact that I have seen George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. The zombies moved and act the same as in NOTLD but with better production and cast. Although based on a game by the same name, in my current profession in the medical field, it does remind me of the evil things we do for whatever purpose it may be, especially with the increasing controversy over human cloning and stem cells researches.
Overall, the movie is alright but would not recommend for teenagers under 18 years old. The theater where my brother and I went, for the first time, the staff members did I.D. checks.
[Very Offensive / 3½]
Overall, the movie is alright but would not recommend for teenagers under 18 years old. The theater where my brother and I went, for the first time, the staff members did I.D. checks.
[Very Offensive / 3½]
Mang Yang, age 30
Negative
Negative—This movie is extremely disturbing and I wish I never saw it! Ok, now that I’ve got that out of the way, I can tell you that this movie shouldn’t be recommended to anyone! I went to see this movie because I had played a couple of the video games before and I don’t know why I expected anything different, but it is very offensive. The movie quality itself is decent. Although it did seem more like a generic zombie movie, it had a lot of action that a lot of people may like. This movie will haunt you for days with its disturbing scenes.
[Extremely Offensive / 3½]
[Extremely Offensive / 3½]
Ron Coley, age 27
Negative—Where should I begin? The Game vs the Movie? Ok. Fine. here we go. Game:
1 Less is more,
2 Creepy music,
3 less is more,
4 extremely tense moments when moving thru doorways,
5 smarter characters,
6 a smart slick plotline,
7 more monsters with enhanced genetic mutations,
8 giant spiders—really creepy!,
9 the heroes were all swat team members of the police. who get sick and injured during battle.,
10 mysterious green plants that have genetically enhanced healing factor.
The movie:
1 Stupid characters,
2 no plot,
3 Overuse of loud metalic crashing sounds when doors open and close (how is that scary?),
4 more is less,
5 more is less,
6 Lack of any kind of wit or intellectual premise,
7 A roomful of flesh eating zombies isn’t as scary as the lack of talent that invested several million dollars producing this trash,
8 If they have high technology AI computer system to control and shut down the complex and drown all the inhabitants of the labs, why then could it not incinerate all the zombies which it helped to create in the first place? In real Bio chem plants Incineration is the first step to bio control.,
9 A small room with a laser gate.,
10 1 room with a laser gate. Total lack any storytelling at all.
[Average / 1]
1 Less is more,
2 Creepy music,
3 less is more,
4 extremely tense moments when moving thru doorways,
5 smarter characters,
6 a smart slick plotline,
7 more monsters with enhanced genetic mutations,
8 giant spiders—really creepy!,
9 the heroes were all swat team members of the police. who get sick and injured during battle.,
10 mysterious green plants that have genetically enhanced healing factor.
The movie:
1 Stupid characters,
2 no plot,
3 Overuse of loud metalic crashing sounds when doors open and close (how is that scary?),
4 more is less,
5 more is less,
6 Lack of any kind of wit or intellectual premise,
7 A roomful of flesh eating zombies isn’t as scary as the lack of talent that invested several million dollars producing this trash,
8 If they have high technology AI computer system to control and shut down the complex and drown all the inhabitants of the labs, why then could it not incinerate all the zombies which it helped to create in the first place? In real Bio chem plants Incineration is the first step to bio control.,
9 A small room with a laser gate.,
10 1 room with a laser gate. Total lack any storytelling at all.
[Average / 1]
Andrew Hasllett, age 29
Negative—As a Christian’s view, it’s a movie of senseless violence, nudity, obscenity and blood. As a movie, it is overdone with the sound effects and underdone in directing and cinematography. It’s just full of bloody and loud scenes, with next to no planning. As a Christian and a film student, I’d say Resident Evil is basically a badly done slasher movie, with lots of slashers, blood, and screams.
[Extremely Offensive / 1½]
[Extremely Offensive / 1½]
Robin Tan, age 19
Movie Critics
…the continuing desensitization to violence and vulgar language earns our strongest vote against RESIDENT EVIL…
Preview Family Movie and TV Review
…Some brief, sexually related dialogue is present, as are very brief flashback images of a sexual encounter or encounters. Some brief, partial nudity (including that of female full frontal) is also present…
ScreenIt!
Comments from young people
Positive—I thought Resident Evil was a very well made film. The scenes were intense and kept getting more interesting. Aside from some profanity (notably several “F” words), and moderate sexuality the film was great It may have gotten away with a PG-13 if it weren’t for the large amounts of gore.
[Average / 5]
[Average / 5]
Joshua, age 17
Neutral—A very good movie, like what Night of the Living Dead should have been. It’s excellent if you’ve played the games, still good if you haven’t. There was a lot of violence, but that WAS the whole point of the movie, and it was unavoidable. There’s a little language and brief nudity that didn’t need to be there, though. I say that if you don’t mind violence, then you can probably compromise on the mildness of the other stuff. But if you don’t like violence, this isn’t your movie.
[Average / 4]
[Average / 4]
Nate, age 17
Positive—Yea, I’m a Christian… I saw the movie, based on the fact that I play the game series, and I was glad I got my moneys worth. It seems to me that anything with a little nudity or blood comes in here and it gets called “Satanic, Demonic” etc. For petes sake people, the zombies all came from a genetic virus, the language wasn’t that bad, and it wasn’t that bad of a movie violence wise REALLY if you think about it, watch Dawn of The Dead THEN watch Resident Evil, then you’ll see what I’m talking about…
[Average / 5]
[Average / 5]
Billy, age 16
Positive—This movie was, as a matter of fact, quite enjoyable. The language was pretty mild, compared to everything else out today. There were brief scenes, but they were blurry and nothing showed. Sadly, this movie is actually considered morally acceptable compared to everything else released today; even many of the PG-13 movies. I would not recommend this movie to anyone who is scared easily or does not enjoy these types of movie. It is mainly for those who just want a quick, enjoyable scare.
[Very Offensive / 4]
[Very Offensive / 4]
Spenser, age 14
Positive—This movie was by far one of the greatest movies I have seen. Granted it had obscene amounts of violence and a little nudity but it was good. I have played the games and watched the movie, and I think they are both clean harmless fun. As long as we get out all of are aggression and violence in movies and games we will not let them spill over into the real world…
[Better than Average / 5]
[Better than Average / 5]
Daryl, age 17
Neutral—This movie was a good movie (besides the nudity and slight cussing) I liked it very much. I also have had some experience with the game and the slide from the game’s storyline a little but the movie was well done but, they didn’t need to put in some of the stuff that they did, just pointless…
[Average / 5]
[Average / 5]
Luke, age 16
Negative—Ok, well, I just came back from the movie “Resident Evil” a little while ago and wow, what a sick movie. The graphics, effects, and even some of the acting was really well done. But the story line was messed up, and there was too much demonic stuff in it. I don’t usually worry too much about swearing in a movie or things like that, but when it comes to things like demonic looking zombie’s, alien’s and spirits, it’s just not right. I don’t know if anyone (Christian) that goes to see this movie will feel the same, but I’m warning u, it felt like there was a demonic presence in that movie theatre, it was disgusting. This movie isn’t good at all and not worth seeing.
[Very Offensive / 4]
[Very Offensive / 4]
Dan Gillies, age 16
However, this movie also has a powerful theme which is not usually explored in the standard works of today’s Hollywood society in that mankind is reaching the point where tampering with nature has become far too easy and far too frequent. While it may be a stretch to compare this movie with George Romero’s 3 films social satire the Resident Evil movie may be taken as a dire lesson on genetic tampering with abortion, cloning, false fertilization, and eventual genetic alteration on a cellular level that is occuring already. The greed of mankind is addressed within…My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 5]