Given that Resident Evil is a Paul Anderson movie based on a computer game which was itself highly derivative (especially of George A Romero and James Cameron films), it's probably unfair to complain that it hasn't got an original idea or moment in its entire running time. In the early 1980s, Italian schlock films such as Zombie Flesh Eaters and Zombie Creeping Flesh tried to cram in as many moments restaged from American originals as possible, strung together by silly characters wandering between monster attacks. This is a much-improved, edited, photographed and directed version of the same gambit. As amnesiac Milla Jovovich remembers amazing kung fu skills and anti-globalist Eric Mabius mutters about evil corporations, a gang of clichéd soldiers with nary a distinguishing feature between them (except for Michelle Rodriguez as a secondary tough chick) are trapped in an underground scientific compound at the mercy of a tyrannical computer--which manifests as a smug little-girl-o-gram--fending off flesh-eating zombies (though gore fans will be disappointed by the film's need to stay within the limits of the 15 certificate) and CGI mutants, not to mention the ever-popular zombie dogs. It's tolerably action-packed, but zips past its borrowings (Aliens, Cube, Deep Blue Sea) without adding anything that future schlock pictures will want to imitate. On the DVD: Resident Evil on disc has the expected trailers, both teaser and theatrical; a half-hour making-of; zombie make-up tests; featurettes on music (with Marilyn Manson), production design and costume. A lively commentary track features Anderson, Jovovich, Rodriguez and producer/zombie Jeremy Bolt--Jovovich upbraids Anderson for talking about different gradings of film stock over her nude scene and everyone else talks about how much she hurt them by punching them out during action sequences. Anderson mentions an alternate commentary track with visual effects designer Richard Yuricich, but it isn't included. --Kim Newman
Given that Resident Evil is a Paul Anderson movie based on a computer game which was itself highly derivative (especially of George A Romero and James Cameron films), it's probably unfair to complain that it hasn't got an original idea or moment in its entire running time. In the early 1980s, Italian schlock films such as Zombie Flesh Eaters and Zombie Creeping Flesh tried to cram in as many moments restaged from American originals as possible, strung together by silly characters wandering between monster attacks. This is a much-improved, edited, photographed and directed version of the same gambit. As amnesiac Milla Jovovich remembers amazing kung fu skills and anti-globalist Eric Mabius mutters about evil corporations, a gang of clichéd soldiers with nary a distinguishing feature between them (except for Michelle Rodriguez as a secondary tough chick) are trapped in an underground scientific compound at the mercy of a tyrannical computer--which manifests as a smug little-girl-o-gram--fending off flesh-eating zombies (though gore fans will be disappointed by the film's need to stay within the limits of the 15 certificate) and CGI mutants, not to mention the ever-popular zombie dogs. It's tolerably action-packed, but zips past its borrowings (Aliens, Cube, Deep Blue Sea) without adding anything that future schlock pictures will want to imitate. On the DVD: Resident Evil on disc has the expected trailers, both teaser and theatrical; a half-hour making-of; zombie make-up tests; featurettes on music (with Marilyn Manson), production design and costume. A lively commentary track features Anderson, Jovovich, Rodriguez and producer/zombie Jeremy Bolt--Jovovich upbraids Anderson for talking about different gradings of film stock over her nude scene and everyone else talks about how much she hurt them by punching them out during action sequences. Anderson mentions an alternate commentary track with visual effects designer Richard Yuricich, but it isn't included. --Kim Newman
The third chapter of the hugely successful Resident Evil franchise! This action-packed horror film is set in the Nevada desert and filled with intense special effects and more zombie terror! Las Vegas means fun in the sun. Well? At least the sun is still there. Except for a few rusting landmarks, it looks pretty much like the rest of the desert or the whole country, for that matter. The crowds are now flesh-eating zombies: the mass undead, the oozing, terrifying sludge of what remains. Here, the newly upgraded Alice, along with her crew (Oded Fehr, Mike Epps, Ali Larter, Ashanti) will make a final stand against evil with one goal: to turn the undead dead again.
Twenty years since the outbreak of a global corporate war that has left society in tatters. Rising from the ashes of this destruction is the Council of Nine determined on instructing a new law and order for this post-apocalyptic wasteland. To avenge the corporations' reckless destruction the Council issues death warrants for all white collar criminals. Their hunters: the Bounty Killers. From amateur savage to graceful assassin the Bounty Killers compete for body count fame and a fat stack of cash. Their mission: end the plague of corporate greed exterminate the CEOs and deliver retribution to the poor survivors of the apocalypse. Bounty Killer is a sexy high octane thriller starring Matthew Marsden (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Rambo) Christian Pitre (Crazy Stupid Love) and Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines BloodRayne) and featuring rap sensation Eve.
In Thailand, John Rambo (Stallone) assembles a group of mercenaries and leads them up the Salween River to a Burmese village where a group of Christian Aid workers are being held hostage.
In Thailand, John Rambo (Stallone) assembles a group of mercenaries and leads them up the Salween River to a Burmese village where a group of Christian Aid workers are being held hostage.
The abduction of beautiful Helen wife of Spartan King Menelaus by Paris of Troy triggers a long war faithfully recreated in this lavish TV miniseries.
A scientific expedition must outrun a deadly new breed of anaconda when they set out on a trip to the island of Borneo.
Experience the power of Upendi-which means love - as Kiara, Simba's strong-willed daughter, seeks adventure away from her father's watchful gaze. Timon & Pumbaa can only do so much to protect her, especially when she encounters an intriguing rival, Kovu, a cub who is being groomed to lead Scar's pride. As Kiara and Kovu search for their proper places in the great Circle Of Life, they discover that it may be their destiny to reunite their prides and bring peace to the Pride Lands.Featuring the original all-star voice cast, breathtaking animation and enchanting songs, Kiara and Kovu's adventure thrills audiences of all ages as the glorious Circle Of Life continues for a new generation.
The ultimate American action hero returns - with a vengeance! After spending several years in Northern Thailand operating a longboat on the Salween River John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) reluctantly agrees to carry a group of Christian missionaries into war torn Burma. But when the aid workers are captured by ruthless Nationalist Army soldiers Rambo leads a group of battle-scarred combat-hardened mercenaries on an epic last ditch mission to rescue the prisoners - at all costs.
Anaconda Deep in the mighty Amazon jungle a documentary crew headed by Dr Steven Kale and Terri Flores rescue a charismatic loner Paul Sarone. But Sarone is a man obsessed and his secret motive wraps them all in a deadly coil of danger as he sets out to capture the vicious master of all predators - a lethal Anaconda! Anacondas - Hunt For The Blood Orchid When a corporate pharmaceutical sponsor is about to pull the plug on research part-time adventurer Dr. Jack Byro
Pure. Popcorn. Entertainment. That's an exact classification of director Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The action is nonstop, with battles and explosions from start to finish. The camera (without any subtlety) exploits Megan Fox's hotness to the max. As if she weren't enough, a new sex kitten (Isabel Lucas) is thrown into the equation. Shia LaBeouf is as charismatic as ever, and fills the starring role with ease. And then there's the humour. Sam's parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White) provided some semi-raunchy laugh-out-loud moments in the first movie, but now they take it to the next level. Sometimes it seems like they are trying a little too hard, but it is still hilarious. As far as the plot goes, the writers didn't waste much time--it's really just a context for the giant-robot death matches and dramatic slow-mo sequences. The movie kicks off two years later where the Autobots have formed an alliance with the U.S. government, creating an elite team led by Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel), in an effort to snuff out any remaining Decepticons that show up. The bad guys keep coming, and it turns out that a much more menacing force than Megatron is out there--and it is looking for something on Earth that is tied to the very origin of the Transformers race. Fans of the franchise will be delighted by the addition of many new robot characters (there are well over 40 in the sequel, versus only 13 in the first). The second Transformers has shaped up to be one of the worst reviewed and most successful movies of all time. This strange pairing is really just an indication that this movie has one purpose: to entertain. The creators didn't want to waste time bogging down the action and drama with substance--which was arguably a good decision. --Jordan Thompson
Twenty years since the outbreak of a global corporate war that has left society in tatters. Rising from the ashes of this destruction is the Council of Nine determined on instructing a new law and order for this post-apocalyptic wasteland. To avenge the corporations' reckless destruction the Council issues death warrants for all white collar criminals. Their hunters: the Bounty Killers. From amateur savage to graceful assassin the Bounty Killers compete for body count fame and a fat stack of cash. Their mission: end the plague of corporate greed exterminate the CEOs and deliver retribution to the poor survivors of the apocalypse. Bounty Killer is a sexy high octane thriller starring Matthew Marsden (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Rambo) Christian Pitre (Crazy Stupid Love) and Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines BloodRayne) and featuring rap sensation Eve.
The past catches up with a ruthlessly ambitious boxing promoter (Caine) when after stumping up everything he has in betting on his son's world title tilt the police begin investigating the death of a fighter in an underground unlicensed bout...
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is another made-for-video sequel to a Disney masterpiece. As with the Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas sequels, most of the recognisable vocal talents return, creating a worthwhile successor to the highest-grossing animated film ever. We pick up the story as the lion king, Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick) and Nala (Moira Kelly) have a new baby cub, a girl named Kiara (Neve Campbell). Like her father before, she seeks adventure and ends up outside the Pridelands, where lions loyal to the evil Scar (who died in the original) have lived with revenge in their hearts. The leader, Zira (a spunky turn from Suzanne Pleshette), schemes to use her son Kovu (Jason Marsden) to destroy Simba. As luck with have it, Kiara has bumped into Kovu and fallen in love. This all sounds familiar since all of Disney's straight-to-video sequels have played it very safe, nearly repeating the originals' story, tone, and pace. Perhaps there were too many cooks for this production. Besides the two screenplay credits, there are eight other writers credited for additional written material. The look of the film has none of the surprise of the original but is far superior to other animated videos. In fact, the film played in European cinemas. For children, the sequel will be a favourite. The comic antics of Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumba (Ernie Sabella) are enjoyable, as is Andy Dick as Nuka, the mixed-up older son of Zira. And there's plenty of action. The best element is the music. Relying on more African-influenced music, the five songs featured are far superior to those in Disney's other sequels. Zira's song of revenge, "My Lullaby," was cowritten by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. The oustanding opening number, "He Lives in You", was created for the Lion King Broadway smash and now finds a whole new audience. --Doug Thomas
Pure. Popcorn. Entertainment. That's an exact classification of director Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The action is nonstop, with battles and explosions from start to finish. The camera (without any subtlety) exploits Megan Fox's hotness to the max. As if she weren't enough, a new sex kitten (Isabel Lucas) is thrown into the equation. Shia LaBeouf is as charismatic as ever, and fills the starring role with ease. And then there's the humour. Sam's parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White) provided some semi-raunchy laugh-out-loud moments in the first movie, but now they take it to the next level. Sometimes it seems like they are trying a little too hard, but it is still hilarious. As far as the plot goes, the writers didn't waste much time--it's really just a context for the giant-robot death matches and dramatic slow-mo sequences. The movie kicks off two years later where the Autobots have formed an alliance with the U.S. government, creating an elite team led by Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel), in an effort to snuff out any remaining Decepticons that show up. The bad guys keep coming, and it turns out that a much more menacing force than Megatron is out there--and it is looking for something on Earth that is tied to the very origin of the Transformers race. Fans of the franchise will be delighted by the addition of many new robot characters (there are well over 40 in the sequel, versus only 13 in the first). The second Transformers has shaped up to be one of the worst reviewed and most successful movies of all time. This strange pairing is really just an indication that this movie has one purpose: to entertain. The creators didn't want to waste time bogging down the action and drama with substance--which was arguably a good decision. --Jordan Thompson
Rambo: He never fought a battle he couldn't win: except the conflict raging within his own soul. Academy Award winner Sylvester Stallone stars as war hero John Rambo. An ex-Green Beret haunted by memories of Vietnam he was once the perfect killing machine. Now he's searching for peace but finds instead an over-zealous small-town sheriff who's spoiling for a fight. All hell breaks loose when an unjustly imprisoned Rambo escapes and becomes the target of a massive manhunt. Now he must use his cunning combat skills and weapons training to stay alive and outwit his pursuers. Daylight: An accidental explosion rips through a jammed commuter tunnel beneath the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey sealing off both ends and trapping a diverse band of survivors inside. A disgraced former emergency medical services chief (Stallone) manages to reach them and struggles through fire noxious gases explosions collapsing walls massive flooding and rats to lead them to daylight.
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