Resident Evil: Extinction

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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 popular Capcom survival horror series Resident Evil and loosely adapts plot elements from Resident Evil Code: Veronica.^[1] The film was directed by Russell Mulcahy and produced by Paul Anderson. The film is a departure from the usually dark and drab locations of other zombie films as it takes place in the Mojave desert wilderness.^[2] Extinction was released in the United States on September 21, 2007. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray January 1, 2008.

[edit] Plot

After the Raccoon City incident in 2002, the T-Virus escaped containment despite the nuclear destruction of the city. Now spreading through the ground, the Umbrella Corporation was unable to contain it. The virus spread across the country, drying up the lakes, rivers, and continents while infecting the majority of the population. After five years, almost every living creature has become a zombie, and the world itself is on the verge of extinction. The Umbrella Corporation appears to be the only organized society of humans left in the world, its remnants forced to live underground in Hive-like constructs dispersed around the world.

Alice (Milla Jovovich), Umbrella's greatest Bio-Organic Weapon, is now alone in the desert wastelands of the remains of the United States after learning that the corporation has the ability to track her location via satellite. She has super-human 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 believes that he can develop a permanent cure to save what is left of humanity, as well as tame the zombies so as to create a viable workforce by using blood from the original Alice. Umbrella chief Albert Wesker 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 tests within the re-created Spencer Mansion, The Hive, and Raccoon City Hospital locations, but none survive. The bodies of the failed Alices are dumped in a drainage ditch alongside Umbrella's fenced in desert compound, as hordes of zombies are gathered around the outside. Attempted cures derived from the cloned blood do not work, but Dr. Isaacs discovers that he can create a new strain of "super zombie" that can run, are unusually aggressive, and possess even more strength. Isaacs secretly begins creating a horde of these new super zombies.

Meanwhile, Claire Redfield's (Ali Larter) convoy, which includes fellow Raccoon survivors Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and L.J. (Mike Epps), along with new survivors K-Mart (Spencer Locke), Mikey (Chris Egan) and Nurse Betty (Ashanti), search a small motel for supplies. L.J. is bitten, but does not tell Nurse Betty, who checks his other wounds. The next morning a murder of infected crows begin to attack the convoy. A reluctant Alice reappears and uses her telekinetic powers to incinerate the flock by covering the sky in flames from a nearby flamethrower. Despite Alice's help, Nurse Betty, Otto, and five others die in the attack.

Alice is introduced to Claire, and gives her a diary she found in a nearby town. The diary details radio transmissions that claim that there are living humans in Alaska, and that there is no infection or undead there. Alice convinces Claire that the convoy should make an attempt to reach Alaska before the rest of them are killed. Claire, unable to make such a big decision herself, puts it to a vote of the convoy. After the other survivors agree to try for Alaska, they realize that they need to be resupplied in order to make it. With no other alternative, the leaders of the group decide to search for supplies in Las Vegas. At the Umbrella corporation, with the help of a new artificial intelligence computer called the White Queen, they are able to pick up Alice's location based on the use of her psionic powers. Dr. Isaacs defies Wesker's direct orders and has a crate of his new "super zombies" transported to the convoy's destination. The convoy meet with the new zombies and a battle between them ensues. Mikey is killed along with a large portion of the convoy in the fight, while L.J. turns into a zombie and bites Carlos before being shot. Once Umbrella sees Alice is in position, they attempt to "shut her down" and control her actions. She resists the attempt and destroys the CPU on Umbrella's tracking satellite, while continuing to come for Isaacs, getting to his location just as he slips away in a helicopter. A super zombie bites him just before it takes off. Alice decides not to shoot down the helicopter, instead convincing Claire and the others to steal it from Umbrella and use it to get to Alaska.

The remaining members of the convoy head towards the Umbrella facility, but find it surrounded by thousands of zombies. Carlos' infection has gone beyond a cure, and he decides to sacrifice himself for the convoy. Alice and Carlos kiss before he departs, and he drives a gasoline tanker truck to the entrance to the Umbrella lab, plowing a path through the zombies for Alice and Claire to drive through. All but Alice depart on the helicopter, which is piloted by Claire. Alice plans to exact her revenge on the Umbrella Corporation. Dr. Isaacs, who was arrested by Umbrella after his return from the failed mission to capture Alice, has been locked in his lab. Wesker orders Captain Slater (Matthew Marsden) to 'liquidate' Isaacs, but when they go to kill him they find him sitting in his lab injecting himself with masses of the Anti virus. Isaacs explains that the strand of the T-virus that is carried by the superzombies is more potent due to it being mixed with Alice's blood and therefore he needs much more Anti virus. However, for the first time we see the opposite effect of too much Anti virus as Isaacs starts to mutate. He is shot by Captain Slater, but has already mutated into the Tyrant. Isaacs goes on a rampage, killing all the employees in the facility. The White Queen manages to trap Isaacs in the lower levels and tells Alice that she must pass through there to create a cure for the infection, which only her blood can do.

Alice heads down, seeing a clone of herself still in a vegetative state. She examines it, but Isaacs interrupts, attacking Alice before fleeing when she stabs him with a kukri knife. The clone then awakens, seemingly dying in Alice's arms. She covers the clone in her coat and leaves after Isaacs. In the replica of the Spencer Mansion, a battle between Isaacs and Alice ensues, both displaying use of telekinesis. When the fight is taken to a replica of the laser room from The Hive, Alice informs him that they are both to die there when the lasers activate. The lasers cut Isaacs into pieces in the same fashion as the character One in Resident Evil, but just as Alice is about to meet the same fate, the lasers dissipate. The clone of Alice is shown to be the one who turned off the lasers.

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 meeting, saying that she and her friends are coming for them now. Standing beside the clone of herself, Alice looks onto the rows of pods containing the other clones, their numbers in the hundreds. As many clones begin to awaken, the film ends.

[edit] Cast

• Milla Jovovich as Alice: The primary protagonist who is being tracked down by the Umbrella Corporation in order to develop a serum from her blood. Since being exposed to the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City, Alice has been captured and subjected to experiments.^[2]
• Ali Larter as Claire Redfield: Based off the video game character of the same name, she plays a prominent role in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil Code: Veronica. In the film, she is a protagonist and leads a convoy of survivors alongside Carlos.^[2]
• Iain Glen as Dr. Sam Isaacs: The primary antagonist, and head scientist of the North American facility. Dr. Isaacs had been involved in the creation of the Nemesis program as well as the creation of Program Alice in Apocalypse. He is turned into the Tyrant monster as a result of a bite by a "super-zombie" and from taking too much anti-virus.^[2]
• Oded Fehr as Carlos Olivera: Ex-U.B.C.S. soldier, protagonist, and survivor of the Nemesis program as well as the "cleansing" of Raccoon City. Since the events of Apocalypse, he has helped lead Claire's convoy of survivors.^[2]
• Jason O'Mara as Albert Wesker: Based off of the video game character of the same name, he is a prominent antagonist in many of the video games. In the film, he is the Chairman of Umbrella. His office is in Tokyo, Japan and through holographic technology, he has regular meetings with committee members including Dr. Isaacs who gave the order to find and capture Alice.^[2]
• Spencer Locke as K-Mart: A girl found by Alice's companions hiding out in a Kmart store prior to the outbreak.^[2]
• Ashanti as Nurse Betty: A tough young woman who acts as the medical unit in Claire's convoy. She is a nurse, helping to aid members of the group to full recovery. Betty drives the paramedic vehicle and is a love interest of L.J.^[2]
• Mike Epps as L.J.: Former citizen of Raccoon City, who survived the Nemesis program and Raccoon City's destruction in the previous film. He also travels with Claire's convoy. He is Betty's love interest.^[2]
• Chris Egan as Mikey: A young computer junkie who drives the "computer station" portion of the convoy. Mikey is responsible for monitoring the radio in search of other survivors as well as monitoring the motion sensor perimeter cameras.
• Madeline Carroll as White Queen: The sister Artificial intelligence of the original Red Queen. She is designed to protect and preserve human life and monitor the Umbrella facility, like her sister computer. However, the White Queen possesses more advanced holographic technology.

[edit] Production

[edit] Pre-production

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.^[3] Anderson told SciFi Wire that he would like to oversee a third installment,^[4][5] 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.^[2][6]

On November 7, 2005, Davis Film, Constantin Film and Screen Gems announced their distribution rights worldwide^[7] with the film's title also being changed from Resident Evil: Afterlife to Resident Evil: Extinction.^[2] 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."^[2]

[edit] Casting

On June 12, 2005 Milla Jovovich was announced to reprise her role of the heroine Alice.^[6] 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."^[8] Sienna Guillory was planned to reprise her role as Jill Valentine however passed on the role due to commitments to Eragon.^[9][10] 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 casted as Cindy Lennox however was proven only to be a rumour.^[11]

[edit] Story development

The film's story takes place in the desert, 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; 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.^[2]

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".^[2] The story takes place 3 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.^[2] A common element used throughout each Resident Evil film is the climatic battle which occurs in the finale.^[2] Extinction marked the first appearance of herbs, a healing item in the video game series, as seen in Dr. Issac's lab,^[2] 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.^[2]

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, 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 more cunning foe."^[2] 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 Dog's were used during production).^[2]

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.^[2]

[edit] Filming and Post-production

Resident Evil: Extinction began principal photography with a budget of $45,000,000 in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico^[12] in May, 2006^[13] 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.^[6] 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.^[2] The film then entered post-production in late July 2006 with details about production being kept secret^[14][15] 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 an costume designed by her fashion company Jovovich-Hawk^[2] and Claire Redfield.^[16]

[edit] Fangoria magazine features

Horror magazine Fangoria featured the film in the August 2007 Issue, talking with director Russell Mulcahy,^[17] and on the cover of the September 2007 issue.^[18] The following details were revealed, though some points proved to be untrue:

• Alice's convoy are traveling across the Nevada desert trying to reach sanctuary in Alaska to meet Chris Redfield and other survivors. In the film, however, there is no mention of Chris and the information has proved to be incorrect.
• The film will feature new "super zombies" that have been "pumped up on some sort of alter-essence steroids. They transform[...]" The "super zombies" are created using blood taken from clones of Alice.
• Mulcahy also noted that he was happy with the ability to use CGI, which allowed for an increased level of gore, and many decapitation scenes.
• Mulcahy also stated concerning the ending of the film trilogy, "As far as I'm aware, this is indeed supposed to close the book."
• The character of Claire Redfield did not exist in the early draft scripts for the film and previously Jill Valentine (who appeared in Resident Evil: Apocalypse played by Sienna Guillory) would continue the role in Extinction. Later producers Paul W.S. Anderson and Jeremy Bolt decided to have a separate game character appear along side Alice saying, "We thought, rather than bring Jill back, put her with another game heroine."
• Albert Wesker runs the Umbrella Corporation.
• Alice can now use her powers to control fire as Milla Jovovich explains, "I'm trying to do my own little thing, but here she bursts everything into flames and stuff. It's really useful against the birds."
• Extinction takes place 8 years after Apocalypse. In the film, this was contradicted when characters stated that it had been 5 years since the outbreak, although it is possible that the global outbreak did not occur immediately after the events of Apocalypse.

[edit] Marketing and Release

On February 16, 2007 the film's teaser trailer was shown with the theatrical run of the film Ghost Rider.^[19] On February 17, 2007 Sony launched the film's website with the 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 trailer is structured in the same manner of the "Regenerate" teaser trailer for Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The teaser trailer begins as a promotional ad for the Las Vegas nightlife and features the song "I Know It's You" by The Crystal Method with vocals by Jovovich.

In May 2007, the teaser poster was leaked onto the internet via a fansite.^[20] On May 8, 2007, IGN released the poster on their website.^[21] A German website also released concept art for Extinction. It included designs for vehicles and numerous locations.^[22]

On July 29, 2007 the Red Band Theatrical trailer premiered onto the internet. NBC.com was the first website to feature scenes from the film including the crow attack sequence; the clip can be seen here. Myspace, a social networking website, also featured numerous clips of four of the main characters Claire Redfield, Carlos Olivera, Nurse Betty, and Alice. They had previously promoted the film on the face of the website for the span of a few days. The clips for the characters can be viewed here: Alice's clip, Nurse Betty's clip, Claire Redfield's clip, and Carlos Olivera's clip.

On the official website for Extinction, an online game of the convoy was also released under the title of Resident Evil Extinction: Online Convoy Game. On September 17, 2007 the film's soundtrack was released, where as the film's score was released on December 18, 2007.

[edit] Response

The film was the #1 movie at the North American box office in its opening weekend, grossing $23 million in 2,828 theaters, averaging $8,372 per theater.^[23] It opened stronger than the 2 previous films^[24], Resident Evil: Apocalypse (which opened with $23 million in 3,284 theaters — over 450 more theaters than Extinction — and averaged $7,014 per theater)^[25], and Resident Evil (which opened with $17 million in 2,528 theaters and averaged $7,004 per theater). The film was made at a cost of $45 million. As of January 1, 2008, the film has grossed $50,648,679 domestically and $96 million overseas for a worldwide total of $147 million.^[26]

As of October 24, 2007, review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 22% "rotten" rating with only 17 out of 77 critics giving it a positive review.^[27] On Box Office Mojo it currently has a B. An early review from Dread Central gave Extinction a 3 out of a possible 5, citing the film was "More of the same, but better and bigger". The review went on to say the film improved upon the previous installment, Resident Evil: Apocalypse. Another review stated, "[It has] almost non-stop action, above average effects and just enough bloodshed to calm your inner horror freak."^{[28] [29]} One common complaint of the film is the jarringly noticeable 'digital airbrushing' on most close up shots of Milla Jovovich's face, for which reviewers were confused at the use of, or found unnecessary.^[30][28][31]

[edit] Sequel

In July of 2005, the producers openly discussed the possibility of following this sequel with a zombie film titled, Resident Evil: Afterlife, with the announcement of plans to shoot the film in Tokyo.^[32] In an article published in 2006, details were revealed the supposed film would take place in Tokyo, Japan and that Alice would be returning.^[33] 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.^[34][35] 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 also included that she was dismissed from the S.T.A.R.S. after the death of her partner, Leon Kennedy.^[36]

During an interview with Bloody Disgusting, while promoting Extinction, Ali Larter confirmed she would reprise her role "100% if asked".^[37] Oded Fehr also jokingly mentioned if his character was to return for a new film, he would have to be cloned like Alice's character in Apocalypse and Extinction.^[38] 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". ^[39] 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."^[40]

On October 29, 2007, Capcom announced the start of production on a different take on the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil: Degeneration, a full-length CG animation film based on the Resident Evil game and film series. The film is estimated for a 2008 release and features an entirely new storyline.^[41] On November 10, 2007, a cast was set but the actors were not announced.^{[citation needed]} A sneak peak of the film will be featured on the DVD and Blu Ray release for Resident Evil: Extinction which was released in January 2008.^[42]

[edit] Blu-ray Disc & DVD Release

Resident Evil: Extinction was released on DVD, UMD, and high-definition Blu-ray Disc 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.^[42] 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.^[43] The DVD and Blu-ray versions of the film showed previews for Resident Evil: Degeneration, a trailer of Devil May Cry 4, and a trailer of the upcoming video game Resident Evil 5.^[44] Resident Evil: Extinction is also set to be released in the UK on the 18 February 2008.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official site of Resident Evil: Extinction
• [http://funarulez.com/theatre/hwonline/resident_evil_extinction.htm Watch Online Resident Evil: Extinction
• Official Network of Resident Evil movies approved by Sony and Premiere Props.
• Resident Evil: Extinction at the Internet Movie Database
• Resident Evil: Extinction at Rotten Tomatoes
• Resident Evil: Extinction at Metacritic

• Resident Evil: Extinction at Box Office Mojo
• Resident Evil: Extinction at All Movie Guide
• Resident Evil: Extinction at Yahoo! Movies
• Resident Evil: Extinction at FilmSpot

• Resident Evil: Extinction at IGN
• Resident Evil: Extinction Resident Evil: Extinction at FEARnet
• Resident Evil: Extinction clip] at NBC

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