I would like you all to welcome Boomstick’s newest writer and contributor, CrescentFresh_22.  He hangs his hat in the great city of Wichita and enjoys a good cigar and glass of scotch.  He is one of two people I know who has seen Adam Sandler’s first movie, “Going Overboard” twice in a row and was one of the first people to get their hands on a copy of Boondock Saints over 10 years ago.  He can be found at any point  during the day watching a Troma movie marathon and writing letters to his personal hero, Billy Mitchell.  Please make him feel welcome.  I know this review is a little late, but the movie hasn’t been out for very long, and is still making money, so if you have not seen the new Resident Evil movie yet, maybe this review will get you in that theater seat.  Enjoy.

I finally got down to my local theater to see a movie, and of all the options available I choose to see the latest edition in the Resident Evil franchise.  I’ll be honest with you, it was the 3D that sold me on this movie and if the third dimension wasn’t available, I likely would have watched something different.  I had not seen or heard anything about this movie, so I was really going in fresh.  In that light, I am going to do my best to make sure that there are is as little spoilers here as possible.

Let’s start at the beginning…  Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D uses the same team that was responsible for Avatar, and it shows.  The opening shot has a scene in the rain, and rain in 3D shows depth and layers that immerse the viewer right away. The director must have loved how it looked in the rain as well because later in the movie there is another scene that takes place indoors and yet has rain effects… but who cares because it looks great!  The 3D is truly stunning, and I will say now that it is worth the price of admission.

I will also let you know now that there may be a slight bias because this movie has two actresses that were crushes of mine throughout my 20’s.  Milla Jovovich looks as good as ever, and the movie constantly reminded me of why I was so fond of her ever since The Fifth Element.  Then there’s Ali Larter, who had my full attention from the moment she wore the whip cream bikini in Varsity Blues,.  Let’s just say that both of these two lovely ladies helped the younger me out through the lonelier days of my past, and I am eternally grateful.

There are also a couple actors that I think are worth the mention.  Wentworth Miller is in this movie… or as I like to call him, that guy from Prison Break with the tattoos.  And guess what, he’s stuck in a prison and knows how to break out.  Although in this movie he can’t escape without help, and I’m guessing it’s because he doesn’t have the tattoos.  There’s also some guy named Shawn Roberts in this movie that plays the bad guy.  This movie is shot in stunning 3D, and yet all the technology in the world doesn’t seem to save the one dimensional performances of these guys.

The first installment of the series directed by Paul W.S. Anderson was (and still is) my favorite chapter in this series.  While the second and third installments of this series were directed by someone else, Paul W.S. Anderson has returned to direct this film, and I think I know why.  While 3D has been around for some time, it is utilizing new technology and has really advanced a great deal since its first uses.  To that extent, there is a race to have movies presented in 3D.  I think this movie was attempting to gain as many “firsts” as possible, such as the first Real D film shot in the rain, underwater, etc.

You aren’t going to a Resident Evil movie for a powerful character study, but for a video game on film.  This movie succeeds in that.  You get plenty of action sequences, and great special effects.  If you are still reading this, you are likely a fan of the series in some form, so find a 3D showing and go see it.

– CrescentFresh_22

There needs to be more 3-D rain and 3-D under water sequences.