Product Details

• Actors: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes
• Directors: Paul W.S. Anderson
• Format: Color, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: December 17, 2002
• Run Time: 101 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (733 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000069510
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,546 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

• This is item 1 in The Resident Evil Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Marilyn Manson worked on the soundtrack, so it's no surprise that Resident Evil is best enjoyed by headbangers, goth guys, and PlayStation junkies. Like the interactive game it's based on, this horror hybrid pits a small band of SWAT-like commandos (including Milla Jovovich and Girlfight's Michelle Rodriguez) against a ravenous hoard of zombies, resulting in a gorefest that only sociopaths could love. The tenacious heroes are trapped inside the Hive--an underground complex where an evil corporation conducts illegal research with a deadly virus--and the zombies (reanimated corpses of sacrificed employees) are fodder for endless rounds of gunfire. It's utter nonsense (not unlike director Paul W.S. Anderson's previous Event Horizon), so your best defense is to wallow in it or avoid this trash altogether. A few cool sequences are borrowed from better films (that slice-and-dice laser is cribbed from the 1998 Canadian shocker Cube), but if you're in the mood for heavy-metal carnage, this movie's for you. --Jeff Shannon

From The New Yorker

The genetically superior Milla Jovovich does her best Angelina Jolie impression in yet another feeble attempt at making an entertaining movie from a video game. The plot has her trapped inside an underground research lab fighting zombies and computer-generated Dobermans. Mayhem ensues as poor storytelling, incoherent editing, and bone-crushingly bad rock songs tear director Paul W. S. Anderson's movie to pieces. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Capcom's Resident Evil on the Big Screen!, April 12, 2002

By	Bankz "Cesar Z" (Dallas TX) - See all my reviews

To my surprise, Resident Evil was a excellent movie. I really did enjoy Anderson's, "Mortal Kombat" so it was no surprise that I would enjoy this movie. Don't get me wrong though, because I did have my doubts about this movie. Most video game movies tend to flop for example, Street Fighter and Super Mario Brothers. Don't get Paul Anderson confused with Mortal Kombat Annihilation because he had nothing to do with that HORRIBLE movie.

The movie actually takes place one month prior to the Playstation Game Resident Evil and ends at some point within Resident Evil 2 and 3. How? I will explain later in the review. The only think I disliked about the movie was the mansion set used in the movie itself. It looked nothing like the Mansion used in PSOne Resident Evil. The interior of the mansion followed the style of PSOne Resident Evil, but many hardcore gamers will immediately point out that the Mansion is completely different on the outside. Every thing else follows close the game format and can possibly be tied into the game.

Many people will immediately identify Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriquez in the movie. Other actors are no names, but one actor named Eric Mabius is one to keep a eye on. The movie is centered around a huge underground laboratory under Raccoon City called the Hive which is owned and operated by the Umbrella Corporation. A virus is unleashed by a insider within the Hive and you know what comes next...Zombies Galore! If you remember the games, Umbrella is known for one thing, cover ups and they attempt to cover up this mess by completely sealing the Hive off with everyone trapped inside. A special ops team is dispatched to clean up the mess by making sure if this leaks to the public, Umbrella will not be blamed. Milla is dragged into the mess not knowing that she also works for Umbrella. When the team fails to accomplish thier mission, their new mission is to get out of the Hive ALIVE! Get ready for some excellent nail biting suspense and action as they attempt to get out of the Hive.

It has been announced that a Resident Evil 2 is in the works already and will star Milla Jovovich and Eric Mabius who will play the "Nemesis". Resident Evil ends somewhere within PS1 Resident Evil 2 and 3. You have to remember that in the PS1 Resident 3, PS1 Resident Evil 2 took place when Jill Valentine was injurned and poisened by the Nemesis. Two other characters from the game will be showing up in Resident Evil 2. Gina Phillips will be cast as Claire Redfield and Natasha Henstridge will be cast as Jill Valentine. This is going to be interesting to see them together on the screen when they never really met in the Playstation Game Series Resident Evil. We know that Claire was in Raccoon City looking for her brother Chris and Jill Valentine was attempting to get out of Raccoon City Alive. I sure can't wait to see how Paul Anderson will bring this movie together in Resident Evil 2. If you are a fan of Resident Evil, I know you can't wait too!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie but Terrible DVD Edition, September 16, 2004

By	"themagicplum" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Resident Evil (Deluxe Edition) (DVD)

It was really funny when this DVD came out because it is titled "Resident Evil: DELUXE EDITION" and in actuality there are more special features on the original release. The only thing one could label "Deluxe" about this edition is that it has a small about a 2 minute clip from Resident Evil 2.

So, if you are looking to buy Resident Evil, then its a fun movie. But if your looking for "deluxe special features", then this is most definately the wrong place.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining action/sci-fi flick..., December 16, 2005

By	J. Lim - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Resident Evil (Deluxe Edition) (DVD)

I recently purchased Resident Evil: Deluxe Edition from Amazon.com. Having never seen this film before, I realized that I played a gamble with this DVD. However, I think I did alright.

For 11.49, you really can't go wrong. This film features non-stop action, suspense, and a semi-decent plot to go with the flow of the film. Mind you, the plot has the structural integrity of a block of swiss cheese. But, bear in mind that Resident Evil is not a film that was made with the intention of getting nominated for an Academy Award.

Movies of this genre require only 2 things:

1) A beautiful female lead who knows martial arts and can manipulate a 9mm with the finesse of a Parisian street artist (that is a compliment).

2) Lots of on-screen death and destruction. Resident Evil is chock-full of "#2". Zombies are shot at, kicked at, punched at, and even head-butted at one point I think.

Grab the popcorn and Coke. Dim the lights, and turn up the sound. For 12 dollars, I do not think you will be disappointed.

5 solid stars. Not for quality, but for pure entertainment value. Do NOT expect deep, thought-provoking dialogue, and thematic material from this film.

DO expect one hell of a ride....and with Milla driving, you'll definitely be in for a treat!