The fifth entry in writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson's sci-fi/horror franchise based on the popular Capcom video game series once again drops viewers into a mad world created by the Umbrella Corporation, a vicious bio-engineering pharmaceutical company that concocted the T-virus, which triggered a zombie apocalypse. As the human race's last-and-only hope, intrepid Alice (Milla Jovovich), a former security operative for Umbrella, leads the opposition. As Retribution begins, Alice awakens in the heart of Umbrella's clandestine underwater compound, revealing more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Utilizing a cloning plot ruse, now-dead characters—played by Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Oded Fehr, Ali Larter, and others—once again surface as Alice fights her way through a series of holograms designed to simulate various cities (Tokyo, Moscow, Berlin, etc.), including Alice's hometown, Suburbia, located outside Raccoon City. Except when Alice maternally bonds with Becky (Aryana Engineer)—a hearing-impaired girl who may or may not be her daughter—Retribution serves up loud, über-violent, and repetitive action. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries (the first with writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson and costars Milla Jovovich and Boris Kodjoe; the second with Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt), a "Drop (Un) Dead" creature featurette (7 min.), outtakes (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the "Project Alice" interactive database with behind-the-scenes info on the franchise, six behind-the-scenes featurettes on design, stunts, and more (50 min. total), a "Face of the Fan" segment (3 min.), and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for another bad franchise entry.] (S. Granger)
Resident Evil: Retribution
Screen Gems, 96 min., R, DVD: $30.99, Blu-ray: $35.99, Dec. 21 Volume 28, Issue 1
Resident Evil: Retribution
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