| Resident Evil: Extinction | |
|---|---|
International poster |
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| Directed by | Russell Mulcahy |
| Produced by | Paul W. S. Anderson Jeremy Bolt Robert Kulzer Bernd Eichinger Samuel Woodruff |
| Written by | Paul W. S. Anderson |
| Starring | Milla Jovovich Ali Larter Oded Fehr Mike Epps Iain Glen Ashanti Douglas Matthew Marsden Chris Egan Spencer Locke |
| Music by | Charlie Clouser |
| Cinematography | David Johnson |
| Editing by | Ryan Folsey |
| Distributed by | Screen Gems |
| Release date(s) | United States: September 21, 2007 United Kingdom: October 12, 2007 |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | Germany United Kingdom France USA Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $45,000,000 |
| Gross revenue | $147,717,833 |
| Preceded by | Resident Evil: Apocalypse |
Resident Evil: Extinction is a 2007 science fiction action horror film. It is the third installment in the series of film adaptations based on the Capcom survival horror series Resident Evil. The film follows the amnesiac heroine Alice, along with a group of survivors from Raccoon City, as they attempt to travel across the Mojave desert wilderness to Alaska and escape a zombie apocalypse.[1] The film was directed by Russell Mulcahy.
The film was released in the United States on September 21, 2007 and was commercially successful, grossing $147,717,833 worldwide,[2] however, it received many negative reviews from critics. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in North America on January 1, 2008.
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Following the events of the Raccoon City incident in Apocalypse, the T-Virus escaped containment despite the nuclear destruction of the city. The virus having spread from Raccoon City to San Francisco, the Umbrella Corporation was unable to contain it after a second outbreak.[3] The virus quickly spread across the world, drying up the lakes, rivers, and continents while infecting the majority of the human population and spreading to other species. Five years later, The Umbrella Corporation appears to be the only organized society of humans left, its remnants forced to live underground in Hive-like constructs dispersed around the world.
Alice (Milla Jovovich), is now alone in the desert wastelands of the remains of the United States. She has superhuman strength and psionic abilities gained from her brief imprisonment by Umbrella. Umbrella considers re-capturing Alice a top priority because of her blood's ability to bond with the T-Virus. Dr. Sam Isaacs (Iain Glen) believes that he can use blood from the original Alice to develop a permanent cure, as well as tame the undead. Umbrella chairman Albert Wesker (Jason O'Mara) orders Isaacs to create a cure without Alice, using clones created from her blood. Wesker refuses to authorize manpower to recover Alice until they are 100% sure where she is, due to the high risk involved in missions on the surface. The Alice clones endure countless tests within the re-created Spencer Mansion, The Hive, and Raccoon City Hospital locations.
Meanwhile, Claire Redfield's (Ali Larter) convoy, which includes Alice's fellow Raccoon survivors Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and L.J. (Mike Epps), along with new survivors K-Mart (Spencer Locke), Mikey (Chris Egan), Chase (Linden Ashby) and Nurse Betty (Ashanti), are attempting to survive. While searching a small motel for supplies, L.J. is bitten, but he does not inform the others. The next morning a flock of infected crows attack the convoy. The battle is going badly until Alice appears using her newly-developing telekinetic powers to incinerate the flock by covering the sky in flames from a nearby fire.
Dr. Isaacs' attempts to domesticate the undead have led to a new breed of zombie but is uncovered by Captain Slater (Matthew Marsden), Wesker's subordinate. Slater reprimands Isaacs, but grudgingly admits that these Super Zombies may be useful in capturing Project Alice.
Alice is introduced to Claire, and gives her a diary she found in a deserted gas station. The diary tells of radio transmissions claiming a infection free population living in Alaska. Both Alice and Carlos convince Claire the convoy should head to Alaska. The other survivors agree to head for Las Vegas to obtain supplies before the trek to Alaska.
The Umbrella corporation, with the help of the White Queen, is able to triangulate Alice's location based on the use of her psionic powers. Dr. Isaacs defies Wesker's direct orders and has a crate of his newly created zombies transported to ambush the convoy. In the carnage, Carlos becomes infected by L.J before being shot, and most of the convoy is killed. Umbrella attempts to shut Alice down, but manages to destroy the CPU on Umbrella's tracking satellite. She locates Isaacs at the scene, just as he slips away in a helicopter, he becomes infected by a zombie. Intending to capture the helicopter for the survivors' escape to Alaska, Alice and the others follow the helicopter's flight path, thus learning of Umbrella's underground location.
The convoy survivors find the location of Umbrella's Las Vegas facility surrounded by hundreds of zombies. Carlos' infection has gone beyond a cure, and he decides to sacrifice himself for the convoy. Carlos plows through the facility before setting off a dynamite charge, giving Alice and Claire enough time to load the survivors onto the helicopter, which is piloted by Claire. Alice decides to stay behind.
Dr. Isaacs, having been arrested by Umbrella after his return from the failed mission, has been locked in his lab. Ordered to "liquidate" Isaacs, Slater finds him sprawled at his lab desk, injecting himself with massive doses of Anti-Virus. Isaacs explains that the strain of T-Virus carried by the Super Zombies is more potent, having been mixed with Alice's blood, and therefore he needs much more Anti-Virus. However, the Anti-Virus overdose triggers a massive mutation of Isaacs into a Tyrant. Isaacs goes on a rampage, killing all the employees in the facility, but eventually the White Queen manages to confine Isaacs in the lower levels of the lab.
Entering the facility, Alice meets a holographic representation of the White Queen. The recent homicidal tendencies of her sister fresh in Alice's mind, she nevertheless strikes an uneasy truce with her. The White Queen informs Alice that her blood is the cure to the T-Virus, and can end the madness. The Queen then informs Alice of her current problem with Dr. Isaacs, and Alice agrees to deal with him.
On her way to the lab's lower levels, Alice comes across a clone of herself still in a vegetative state. As she is examining the clone, Isaacs attacks her, but she manages to fight him off. The clone awakens, but the shock of the sudden awakening apparently kills her. Alice goes after Isaacs and finds herself in a replica of the Spencer Mansion, where a battle between Isaacs and Alice ensues, with both displaying use of telekinesis and cunning skill and strategy. When the fight spills into a replica of the laser corridor from The Hive, Alice grimly informs Isaacs that they are both to die there when the lasers activate. The laser grid slices Isaacs into pieces in the same fashion as the character One, but just as Alice is about to meet the same fate, the lasers are deactivated by the clone of Alice in the nick of time.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan, Wesker informs the rest of the Umbrella board that the North American branch has been lost, and he will now control further scientific experimentation from Japan. Using holographic technology, Alice makes an appearance at the board meeting, declaring that she and her friends are coming for them now. Standing beside the clone of herself, Alice looks onto the rows of pods containing other clones, their numbers in the hundreds. As many clones begin to awaken, the film ends.
Resident Evil: Extinction was first discussed by Resident Evil franchise writer Paul W.S Anderson after Resident Evil: Apocalypse opened Number 1 on the US box office in 2004, earning more than $23.7 million dollars on its opening weekend.[4] Anderson told SciFi Wire that he would like to oversee a third installment,[5][6] under the original title of Resident Evil: Afterlife. Shortly after, the film and another planned sequel were officially announced by Sony Screen Gems on June 13, 2005.[1][7]
On November 7, 2005, Davis Film, Constantin Film and Screen Gems announced their distribution rights worldwide[8] with the film's title being changed from Resident Evil: Afterlife to Resident Evil: Extinction.[1] Impressed with Russell Mulcahy's work on Highlander, Highlander II: The Quickening, The Shadow and Ricochet, Anderson signed Mulcahy on as director, stating, "Russell pioneered a very distinct visual style, a lot of moving camera and crane work, lots of very fast cutting. He’s got a very cool eye and sees great ways to shoot. His work certainly had a big influence on me as a filmmaker and that’s why I was very excited to work with him on this movie."[1]
On June 12, 2005, Milla Jovovich was announced to reprise her role as the heroine Alice.[7] In an interview with BlackFilm.com on September 9, 2005, Mike Epps confirmed that he would also be reprising his role as L.J., noting that "Black people die in these movies and [Anderson] was like, 'Well Mike, I kinda like you.' So then I asked him, 'Are you setting me up to die because if there's a fourth movie, I'm as good as dead."[9] Sienna Guillory was planned to reprise her role as Jill Valentine; however, she passed on the role, citing commitments to Eragon.[10][11] On May 9, 2006 Oded Fehr, Iain Glen, Spencer Locke and Ashanti Douglas were added to the cast. It was rumored that Debra Marshall was originally cast as Cindy Lennox. However, it was proven to be only a rumour.[12]
The film's story takes place in Death Valley, where the large scale action sequences take place amid post-apocalyptic landscapes of Las Vegas in broad daylight. Drawing inspirations from western films and post-apocalyptic movies, including Mad Max and The Road Warrior, Extinction manages to reference such predecessors, with plot elements revolving around the shortage of oil, the shortage of supplies, a convoy traveling across a desert, and the desert taking over civilized land.[1]
Anderson stated that the film's story is original and unfolds in a world that fans of the game recognize: "It’s all part of trying to deliver a movie-going experience that satisfies the fans of the game but also provides a fun cinematic experience for a broader audience that has never played a Resident Evil game".[1] The story takes place five years after the events of Resident Evil: Apocalypse, making it a sequel to the video game series, itself; however, references to Code Veronica are made, such as the replica mansion and the viral outbreak itself.[1] A common element used throughout each Resident Evil film is the climatic battle which occurs in the finale.[1] Extinction marked the first appearance of herbs, a healing item in the video game series, as seen in Dr. Isaac's lab,[1] and it also referenced the first film with the inclusion of a replica Hive facility designed after that one in Raccoon City, the Raccoon City Hospital, a holographic computer database known as the White Queen, and the replica Spencer Mansion.[1]
Numerous references to the video game series have been made including zombies being unleashed through a T-Virus mutation. While the concept of the undead remains the same, this film includes "Super Undead" (otherwise known as Crimson Heads). As Anderson explains, these are "a result of Umbrella experimenting with the Undead and attempting to give them back some of their reasoning power, some of their intelligence and a little of their humanity. Unfortunately, these experiments don’t quite work and the side effect is the Super Undead, which are Undead that are faster, stronger and [a] more cunning foe."[1] Other creatures from the video game series have also made appearances in the film, including the Tyrant, a swarm of crows, and a pack of Dobermans (although Belgian Shepherd Dogs were used during production).[1]
Two main characters were added to the film's cast: the main antagonist Albert Wesker (portrayed by Jason O'Mara) and secondary protagonist Claire Redfield (portrayed by Ali Larter) from Resident Evil 2.[1]
Resident Evil: Extinction began principal photography with a budget of $45,000,000 in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico[13] in May, 2006[14] after filming locations had to be changed from the Australian Outback to Mexico causing production dates to be pushed back repeatedly from November 2005 to May 2006.[7] Numerous sets were designed by production designer Eugenio Caballero including Umbrella's underground laboratory, the Las Vegas Strip, the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Paris Las Vegas, Realto Ponte, Luxor Hotel and the replica of the Spencer Mansion.[1] The film entered post-production in late July 2006 with details about production being kept secret[15][16] and with the film's special effects being covered by Tatopoulos Studios and Mr. X Inc., whom both worked on the 2006 film Silent Hill.
In late June 2006, Sony released the films first two production stills which included Alice wearing a costume designed by her fashion company Jovovich-Hawk[1] and Claire Redfield.[17]
Horror magazine Fangoria featured the film in the August 2007 Issue, talking with director Paul W.S. Anderson,[18] and on the cover of the September 2007 issue.[19] The following details were revealed, although some points proved to be untrue:
The film's teaser trailer was shown with Ghost Rider on February 16, 2007, and was structured in the same manner of the "Regenerate" teaser trailer for Resident Evil: Apocalypse.[20] The film's website was launched by Sony on February 17, 2007 with confirmation of the September 21, 2007 release date. It was also revealed that the film was rated R by the MPAA for strong horror violence throughout and some nudity.
The film's teaser poster was leaked onto the internet via a fansite in May 2007,[21] before appearing on IGN,[22] where as a German website leaked concept art for Extinction including vehicle and numerous set designs.[23] The film's theatrical trailer premiered onto the Yahoo! Movies in late July 2007,[24] with NBC releasing several scenes including the crow attack sequence.[25] The social networking website, Myspace also featured numerous clips of four of the main characters Claire Redfield,[26] Carlos Olivera,[27] Nurse Betty,[28] and Alice.[29] The official website for Extinction, launched an online game titled Resident Evil Extinction: Online Convoy Game in August 2007. On September 12, 2007 Sony released numerous promotional clips and television spots[30] and on September 17, 2007 the film's soundtrack was released, where as the film's score was released on December 18, 2007.
Resident Evil: Extinction was released on DVD, UMD, and high-definition Blu-ray Disc in North America on January 1, 2008. A Blu-ray release of the Resident Evil trilogy, featuring the three films in one package was also released on January 1.[31] Milla Jovovich and Oded Fehr filmed a commentary while Jovovich was pregnant, which Fehr expects to be shown "in a little square box in the corner" of the Blu-ray version.[32] The DVD and Blu-ray versions of the film showed previews for Resident Evil: Degeneration, a trailer of Devil May Cry 4, and a video of Resident Evil 5.[33] Resident Evil: Extinction was released on DVD in Australia on February 13, 2008[34] and in the UK on the February 18, 2008.[35]
In July 2005, the producers openly discussed the possibility of following Extinction with a sequel titled Resident Evil: Afterlife, with the announcement of plans to shoot and set the film in Tokyo, Japan.[36][37] During the film's production, actor Chris Durand stated that talks were held to set the film in Alaska during the winter time.[38]
In September 2006, it was announced that casting had been underway for Resident Evil 4, and that Jensen Ackles was in talks for portraying Leon Kennedy.[39][40] However, bringing Leon as a character in an upcoming film would contradict promotional information from Resident Evil: Apocalypse. Screen Gems created a faux newspaper, The Raccoon City Times, that detailed the background of Jill Valentine, and included that she was dismissed from the S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Squad) after the death of her partner, Leon Kennedy.[41] During an interview with Bloody Disgusting, while promoting Extinction, Ali Larter confirmed she would reprise her role "100% if asked".[42] Oded Fehr jokingly mentioned if his character was to return for a new film, he would have to be cloned like Milla's character in Extinction.[43] Despite Resident Evil: Extinction being billed on the official website and elsewhere as the final installment of the Resident Evil film series, Rory Bruer, Sony's head of distribution explained, "It absolutely would not surprise me considering the success of the franchise that they find a way to come up with another. It's a real possibility".[44] In an October 18, 2007 interview with IGN regarding the continuation of the franchise, however, producer Jeremy Bolt said, "It's not our intention [to make a follow-up to Extinction]. But we've been very pleased that the third part of the franchise has done so well. Paul Anderson has reported that there is a possibility of a fourth film and is talking to Sony about it."[45].
On October 29, 2007, Capcom announced the start of production on Resident Evil: Degeneration, a full-length CG animation film based on the Resident Evil game series. The film will be released December 2008.[46] A 60-second sneak peek of the film was included on the DVD and Blu Ray release for Resident Evil: Extinction which was released in January 2008.[31]
On July 1, 2008, Paul Anderson announced a fourth live action film is in early development stages and negotiations have begun with Sony.[47] On October 5, 2008 Paul Anderson stated in an interview with Sunday Sun, he may begin writing the script soon: "I'm writing an adaptation of The Long Good Friday right now, set in present-day Miami. Then I will probably begin writing Resident Evil 4."[48]
The film was the number 1 movie at the North American box office in its opening weekend, grossing $23 million in 2,828 theaters, averaging $8,372 per theater.[49] It opened stronger than the two previous films,[50], Resident Evil: Apocalypse (which opened with $23 million in 3,284 theaters – over 450 more theaters than Extinction – and averaged $7,014 per theater)[51] and Resident Evil (which opened with $17 million in 2,528 theaters and averaged $7,004 per theater). As of January 1, 2008, the film has grossed $50,648,679 domestically and $96 million overseas for a worldwide total of $150 million.[2]
Steven Hyden of The Onion's A.V. Club said that "the movie delivers some simple-minded thrills" and praised the "solidly effective killer-ravens sequence" but felt the film was too predictable, saying: "Anybody who has ever seen a zombie movie can figure out what happens next. Somebody will get bit without telling the others, which will inevitably backfire. Survivors will be forced to shoot suddenly undead friends in the head. One of them dastardly science folk will protect the monsters in order to study them, which will also inevitably backfire. And legions of undead will be re-killed in surprisingly easy fashion."[52]
Kyle Smith of the New York Post gave Extinction half a star out of a possible four, saying that the film was "no more interesting than watching someone else play with his Xbox".[53] Scott Brown of Entertainment Weekly said that Extinction "plays like a flabby middle chapter, full of nerdy details but fraudulently short on the ruined Vegas-scape that ads have been promising."[54]
Maitland McDonagh of TV Guide gave the film a score of two and a half stars out of four, saying: "Equal parts Mad Max and Day of the Dead, [Extinction] is no less derivative than its predecessors but moves along at a brisk clip."[55] Pete Vonder Haar of Film Threat gave Extinction a score of three out of five, saying that the film had a "rather lazy pacing" but added that "the way Anderson keeps upping the ante with regard to Alice's ultimate fate continues to amuse."[56]
Jack Mathews of the New York Daily News gave the film a score of one and a half stars out of five, calling the action scenes "monotonous" and urging audiences to "flee this yawn of the dead."[57] Helen O'Hara of Empire gave Extinction a score of two stars out of five, saying that the film was "better than [Resident Evil: Apocalypse]" and had "an effectively creepy empty world setting" but felt that it's "nevertheless scuppered by a lack of coherence."[58]
A common complaint among critics was the noticeable digital airbrushing on numerous close-up shots of Jovovich's face, for which reviewers were confused at the use of, or found unnecessary.[59][60][61][62]
| Preceded by The Brave One |
Box office number-one films of 2007 (USA) September 21, 2007 |
Succeeded by The Game Plan |
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