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Resident Evil 1-3 Box Set (Resident Evil / Resident Evil 2 - Apocalypse / Resident Evil 3 - Extinction) [2001]


RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £11.26 (subject to change)

Editorial
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Resident Evil

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.

Resident Evil 2 - Apocalypse

2002's popular video-game-derived hit Resident Evil didn't inspire confidence in a sequel, but Resident Evil: Apocalypse defies odds and surpasses expectations. It's a bigger, better, action-packed zombie thriller, and this time Milla Jovovich (as the first film's no-nonsense heroine) is joined by more characters from the popular Capcom video games, including Jill Valentine (played by British hottie Sienna Guillory) and Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr, from 1999's The Mummy). They're armed and ready for a high-calibre encounter with devil dogs, mutant "Lickers," lurching zombies, and the leather-clad monster known only as Nemesis, unleashed by the nefarious Umbrella Corporation responsible for creating the cannibalistic undead horde. Having gained valuable experience as a respected second-unit director on high-profile films like Gladiator and The Bourne Identity, director Alexander Witt elevates this junky material to the level of slick, schlocky entertainment. --Jeff Shannon

Resident Evil 3 - Extinction

Movies based on computer games generally aren't well respected, but just because they aren't high art doesn't mean they can't be highly enjoyable. The only catch is that you need to be a fan of computer games to appreciate them. Resident Evil: Extinction is the third movie in the massively popular Resident Evil franchise, and it's probably the best one yet.

Between Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Extinction, the zombie-creating T-virus has spread far beyond the doomed Raccoon City; now the human race is almost extinct (hence the title). When a convoy of survivors meets up with the genetically-altered Alice, the shadowy Umbrella Corporation does everything in its power to take them down and reclaim her; but Alice isn't giving up without a fight...

Resident Evil: Extinction is part zombie movie, and part post-apocalyptic survival yarn. The big set pieces use CGI that doesn't look anything like reality, but does look very much like a computer game, which is possibly intentional--since this is a sequel to an adaptation, Resident Evil: Extinction does tend to assume a built-in audience which is already familiar with the various quirks of the franchise. If you're a fan of the games, you'll enjoy the various references to game characters and events; if not, you might feel a bit left out. It's not the best entry point to the franchise if you're a complete newcomer, but if you've seen the other films, it's a hell of a lot of fun. -- Sarah Dobbs



Does what it says on the tin
Review date: 2008-11-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

On the face of it, I shouldn't have enjoyed these three. I'm not a fan of zombie movies, generally finding them deathly boring, and I don't play video games, so I came to these movies completely uninitiated in the RE universe.

But I have to say that I found all three RE movies extremely enjoyable. Are they high art? Of course not. But for what they are, they produce the goods. I think the addition of a fairly solid plotline and generally rounded out characters lifts them above the average zombie movie.

My only complaint is that in RE3 we are never told what happens to most of the surviving characters at the end of RE2. With the exception of Alice's love interest, who reprises his role, the others are simply forgotten about and, apparently, no longer around. It would have been nice to have been told where they went to.

Generally speaking, if you watch these without any great levels of expectations you'll probably find yourself having a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.



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Reviews


Sink your teeth into this.....
Review date: 2008-11-03 Rating: 6 out of 10

So being a fan of the RE trilogy i decided that to complete my collection of all the formats and international versions i would buy this. Plus the idea of an extra disc filled me with joy. But sadly that joy was VERY short lived. The day my set turned up i was thrilled. The packaging is very nice and the discs are the standard issue discs. However the biggest let down was the "bonus" disc which contained two very short segments "The Players: The Cast Of Resident Evil" and "The Future Of Resident Evil" neither of these were feature length in fact the total running time for both was under 30 mins. There is also a lack of menu on the bonus disc so once the featurettes have ended the disc simply stops playing. I have to say that the movies are amazing and i loved them all. But I'm very angry at Sony for this very weak box set.
My advice is this: If you're a fan of the series then avoid this as you'll find nothing new. If you want the movies and don't own them i would say due to it's bargain price this box set is the thing for you.

U like horror ? dont miss these
Review date: 2008-07-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

ok.. let's get one thing straight.. do u love blood & flesh gorging zombies ? Do u love 'Friday the 13th' series ? no matter how utterly and stupid they seem ? then read on, cause I just love those.. I dont care if it looks real or not.. fhs.. everyone knows it aint real.. Take Alien vs. Predator! if any1 think that's real.. come on.. go get a blue pill!

now seriously..

First movie rocks and really give the one the same chill as the first Alien did.. Claustrophobic, horror, thrill and no nails left on any fingers or toes. And to be honest, I really felt with Milla at the end. So.. rating. 8/10 of first one.

Apocalypse!
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Even freaking better! You get tons of action and if any1 expects the same claustrophobic feeling as in no. 1 ? HELLO! This is in a big Big BIG city! What the .... did u expect ?.. Anyways.. got 3 words after seeing it. Wauw! Got to make a sequal! and I'm gonna watch this again again and again! rating on this ? 8½/10

Exctintion:
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Havent seen it yet but I cant imagine Milla will let me down like Sigourney did after Aliens.. they should have stopped at that one, however, I do expect the same from RS: 3 - kick ass movie!

not much to say rly.. if u love HP Lovecraft -watch those movies. If u have no idea who HP Lovecraft is, try watch the first.

Simple!

(no ratings since I havent seen it yet)

Mixed bag that overall proves entertaining enough
Review date: 2008-07-07 Rating: 6 out of 10


Resident Evil (2002)

A deadly viral outbreak occurs inside the hive, a vast underground research facility run by the umbrella corporation, responding to the threat the Red queen, the AI computer system controlling the hive, seals the entire facility to contain the leak, killing all the trapped employees, an elite commando team is sent in to found out what went wrong, they come across two amnesic survivors Alice & Spenser. delving deeper into the hive they discover the employees are now zombies, the team struggle to contain the infection and escape the facility before they are sealed down there for good

The start of the franchise which was loosely based upon the first resident evil game proves to be entertaining enough. the resident evil films exist more as a separate entity rather than an accompaniment to the games if your a fan who the games who fails to realise this you'll get little if any entertainment from it which is where this series has received the majority of its criticism.

This film combines a fairly claustrophobic feel with some engaging action scenes and some gory death sequences mostly noticeably the laser hallway sequence, its an entertaining enough way to spend and hour and a half but shouldn't be taken to seriously. casual horror viewers will probably get the most out of this. Rating- 6.5/10


Resident Evil Apocalypse (2004)

After narrowly escaping the horrors of the underground hive facility, Alice is quickly thrust back into the war waging above ground between the living and the undead. As the city is locked down under quarantine Alice joins a small group of survivors as they face off against hordes of bloodthirsty zombies, stealthy lickers, mutant canines and the umbrella killing machine Nemesis as the city is targeted for sanitation.

Oh dear the worst of the three by a considerable distance though ironically its probably the closest to games. the action sequences though plentiful lack bite and aren't exciting.

The inclusion of games favourite Jill & Carlos doesn't help as they are saddled with some ridiculous lines of dialogue. Also stupid character logic ( lets walk through a grave-yard in the middle of an outbreak that s brings the dead back to life hmm what s the worst that could happen?) as well as the inclusion of Nemesis the should be bad-ass of the franchise who by the end of the film is reduced to being as scary as a puppy and what you get is a bad b-movie something more akin to a straight to TV movie rather than the action/horror blockbuster its supposed to be and ends up being a boring unengaging mess. Rating 3/10


Resident Evil Extinction (2007)

A few years have passed since the events of RE:A and the world has become a wasteland overrun with the undead, a small group of remaining survivors stick together in conveys trying to stay alive traversing the desert, meanwhile the few umbrella scientists still alive attempt to produce a serum to reverse the affects of the virus but to do so they require the blood of Alice, a genetic experiment who currently survives off the grid trying to help whoever she can, when the convoy is attacked she intervenes and pops into Umbrella's view to again.

I wasn't expecting much from this after the abysmal RE: Apocalypse so I was pleasantly surprised walking out that I had just seen one of the best game to film adaptations yet, not because it remains faithful to its source material (because it doesn't) but because its an adrenaline fuelled Rolla-coaster of a movie that's highly entertaining.

The film does 'borrow' a fair bit from cult favourites Mad Max & Day of the Dead, but when the actions sequences kick into gear coming thick and fast (helmed by the director of `Highlander') you will become lost in the excitement. The stand out scene without a shadow of a doubt takes place on the Vegas strip when super zombies attack the survivors, it's an assault on the senses and easily rivals any zombie action sequences from that of the action heavy dawn of the dead remake or any zombie movie for that matter and a big step up from the action scenes in apocalypse

Due to the films fairly short running time the plot zips along as fast pace. Resi fans will be pleased to see the addition of Claire Redfield played by Ali Larter, (TV's Heroes, Final Destination) and that of infamous Tyrant.

It may be dumb and loud but its handled so slickly that you wont care the perfect popcorn movie easily the best of the three but don't expect the trilogy's loose ends to be tied up as the ending leaves it open for the fourth which is currently slated for a 2010 release. Rating 7.5/10

Acme Brain Candy!
Review date: 2008-05-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

Couldn't disagree more with the negative reviews - as Brain Candy this trilogy is the creme de la creme. having never played (or heard of) the game version before watching the films, the characters in the first film took some time to really get to know - but Milla Jovovitch is an ass-kicking, zombie-slaying queen. Trust me, am usually very cautionary about models-turned-actresses but she shines.

The second film is even better, introducing more fun stereotypical characters which makes them easier to follow. Alice is back and despite her bizarre outfit (how does one pick up a mini-skirt in an army surplus store I ask) is her usual awesome self. Add to this a cop who looks like she's walked off a CGI computer screen with teeny-tiny waist, short skirt and heels,(personally I can't even walk straight in stilletos let alone chase down criminals) a street-wise joker, and a troop of tough, macho-guy troops and you've pretty much got a recepie for an amazing sequel. The ending has tobe one of my all time favourite quotes.

Extinction rocks with its scenes of a devastated and deserted Planet* and a band of die-hard survivors just trying to, well, survive. Amazing cinematogrophy and more kick ass moves. Cheesy acting only add to the charm of this film and an even better ending than the second make it tops in my humble opinion. Can't help wondering if there could ever be a fourth - justice for the little people would be sooooooooo fulfilling!

* Well, mostly America to be honest, which was extremely satisfying. (Don't get me wrong, I LIKE America - the fact that seeing it buried under 20 million tonnes of sand gave me a warm fuzzy feeling is neither here nor there.)

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Ali Larter
Milla Jovovich
Thomas Kretschmann
Sandrine Holt
Iain Glen

Creators:
Milla Jovovich (Primary Contributor)
Thomas Kretschmann (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822756014
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2008-02-18
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 276 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2001

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