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Category:    Home > Reviews > Horror > Science Fiction > Action > Zombies > Resident Evil Collection 4K (2002 - 2016/Sony 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray Box Set/Six Films/12 Discs)

Resident Evil Collection 4K (2002 - 2016/Sony 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray Box Set/Six Films/12 Discs)



4K Ultra HD Picture: A- Picture: B+ Sound: A- Extras: B Films: B / C+ / C+ / B- / C+ / B-



The Resident Evil movie franchise (2002 - 2016), directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Event Horizon), star his real life wife Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element), and are to this reviewer a cinematic guilty pleasure. Sure, they are overly stylized, silly, and unrealistic - but they are also great escapism entertainment. While they may differ from the stories told in the hit video game series, the films follow the tyrannical Umbrella Corporation and the adventures of Alice who is a super human weapon against Umbrella and the various zombies and creatures they unearth.


The films all boast great production design and plenty of fun ideas and set pieces that are hard to ignore in this lavish 6 film, 12 disc, 4K UHD set from Sony, which is branded as part of the PS5 Essential 4K UHD disc collection. Four of the films are new to the 4K UHD format (Resident Evil 1-4), while the other two 4K UHD releases of the last two installments are simply ported over to this release. It is worth noting that a few of the films were released in 3D in the past (and reviewed elsewhere on this site; see below) but are not included in this release.


RESIDENT EVIL (2002)


The strongest film in the series is still the 2002 first entry, which has the most energy and a pulse pounding soundtrack by Marilyn Manson. The film introduces the deadly Umbrella Corporation and the virus leak that causes the zombie apocalypse. A few members are stuck in the epicenter of the virus outbreak and struggle to escape the facility. There are some great moments in this film including the infamous laser hallway, the zombie dogs, and the final creature that is a kind of pre-nemesis.


The film stars Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Salmon, Eric Mabius, and Martin Crewes.



RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE (2004)


The second entry isn't as strong as the first, but features the classic video game character of Nemesis, who is translated to screen quite nicely here. Jill Valentine and a few other characters from the games appear as well. The film starts out where the first one left and even goes as far as re-using the same shots from the first in its opening sequence. This one has a lot of impressive set pieces and a lot of zombies, and is set primarily in Raccoon City.


The film stars Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Oded Fehr, Mike Epps, and Sophie Vavasseur.



RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION (2007)


Known as the 'Mad Max' entry, Extinction is set in a desert landscape and takes the franchise in a different direction than the 2004 sequel. Alice retreats to the desert and joins forces with a group of freedom fighters who end up appearing in later installments of the series as well.


This entry was not directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, but by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander films, The Shadow, hundreds of music videos).


The film features Mike Epps, Oded Fehr, Ali Larter, Spencer Locke, and Ashanti.



RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE (2010)


This film has the best opening sequence of any of the series, which also looks good on 4K, with a rainy foreign city and a beautiful zombie turned into a zombie. This was a big 3D based title when it hit the cinemas and is definitely a different film when watching it in 3D.


Afterlife pits Alice in the future where Zombies have risen thanks to the deadly T-Virus which was created by the sinister (and corporate) Umbrella Corporation. After attacking an underground Umbrella base with an army of clones of herself, Alice heads to a safe place in LA where she meets new survivors, but soon finds (of course) more zombies and more elaborate traps set for her by Umbrella.


The film also stars Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, and Spencer Locke.



RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION (2012)


This one is of the weaker entries and is more or less a bridge to the last one. The plot is basically Alice vs Umbrella and one insane battle after another. This time, she penetrates Umbrella Corp's secret operations facility and uncovers some dark secrets about her past.


The film also stars Li Bingbing, Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez, and Boris Kodjoe.



RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER (2017)


Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017) follows the formula created by earlier installments and sews together some loose plot hole ends that makes the whole saga a much stronger piece as a whole.


The film stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Ruby Rose, Iain Glen, and William Levy.


Alice (Jovovich) is back one final time to finish her relentless war with the tyrannical corporate entity known as The Umbrella Corporation, which admittedly are responsible for the fall of modern civilization and the rise of the zombie apocalypse. At first alone, Alice ends up meeting up with one of her adversaries - Umbrella's realistic security software - that gives her a tip of an airborne T-Virus that could reverse the effects of the masses and save the planet. The only problem is that she has to go back to The Hive, the secret underground base of operations in the center of Raccoon City, where the outbreak initially began in the first installment. Soon aided by some old and new human faces that are struggling to survive, Alice goes head to head with the masterminds behind the operation that costed the lives of billions and puts her life on the line once again.


The film starts out with a bang as the first act is pretty action packed and includes some very well done sequences, including one with a bioweapon that is similar to a dragon that chases Alice down in a post apocalyptic landscape. Many moments in this entry also retread back to the first film, with some of its iconic locations (such as the laser hallway) and some other plot holes in that installment filled. Also worth noting is Ali Larter's character, who makes a comeback and lights up the scenes that she is in. (I feel that she is a solid yet underused actress in many of the films that she is in.) One gripe is the ending, which feels a bit open ended and feels like another installment could be made if demanded. Other than that, this film is surprisingly a lot of fun and miles better than some of the previous entries (namely the second and third ones).


The presentation of the Resident Evil movies is pretty stunning as well in 2160p on 4K UHD with HDR10 (high dynamic range 10-bit color), an HVEC/H.265 codec and a widescreen aspect ratios varying in 1.85:1, 2.39:1, and 2.40:1. Paired is the superb audio mixes in English Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD7.1, and DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1. All of these are top of the line and Sony did a very nice job with this set and upgrading these transfers.


The 4K UHD format lends itself to this series which has so many desolate and detailed locations and visual effects. The outside tones are mostly bright, while underground sequences are rich with dark blacks and details on the sets, making it seem more real in 4K. There is a noticeable difference in clarity and detail when compared to the also included Blu-ray editions of the films, which are presented with identical widescreen and audio specs as the 4K UHD discs. Some of the digital effects look dated, but its forgivable.


Special Features


RESIDENT EVIL BONUS FEATURES


4K BLU-RAY DISC

Theatrical Trailer


BLU-RAY DISC

Cast and Filmmakers' Commentary

Visual Effects Commentary

Alternate Ending with Director Paul W.S. Anderson's Video Introduction

12 Featurettes

"My Plague" Music Video by Slipknot

RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE BONUS FEATURES


4K BLU-RAY DISC

Theatrical and Extended Cuts of the Film

Theatrical Trailers


BLU-RAY DISC

Filmmaker Commentary

Cast Commentary

Writer / Producer Commentary

Deleted Scenes

"Game Over: Resident Evil Reanimated" Documentary

"Corporate Malfeasance" Featurette

"Game Babes" Featurette

"Symphony of Evil" Featurette


RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION BONUS FEATURES


4K BLU-RAY DISC

Resident Road Map: Reflections on the Future of the Series

Theatrical Trailers

BLU-RAY DISC

"Under the Umbrella" Picture-in-Picture

Filmmaker Commentary

Deleted Scenes

4 Featurettes


RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE BONUS FEATURES


4K BLU-RAY DISC

Alice Activated

Theatrical Trailers

BLU-RAY DISC

"Undead Vision" Picture-in-Picture

Filmmaker Commentary

Deleted and Extended Scenes

Outtakes

7 Featurettes


RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BONUS FEATURES


4K BLU-RAY DISC

Evil Goes Global

Undead Retribution

Theatrical Trailers

BLU-RAY DISC

Director and Cast Commentary

Filmmaker Commentary

Deleted and Extended Scenes

Outtakes

Project Alice: The Interactive Database

8 Featurettes


RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER BONUS FEATURES


4K BLU-RAY DISC

Maximum Carnage: Best Kills

Creature Chronology

Theatrical Trailers

BLU-RAY DISC

Retaliation Mode with Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich

3 Featurettes



If you're a Resident Evil fan then this collection is most certainly worth the 4K upgrade. It's nice to see the films in this much clarity and to be able to enjoy them as much as I did in the theater. The films are not all perfect, but they are quite entertaining if you like zombie action, and the picture and sound are top notch - which is really the most important thing.



For more on the films, including some animated spinoffs and a book, plus older coverage of non-4K editions, try these links, which have more links:


Resident Evil + Extinction Blu-rays

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6469/Resident+Evil+(Blu-ray)+++Resident+Evil:+Extincti


Resident Evil: Retribution 3D Blu-ray

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/11970/Resident+Evil:+Retribution+3D+(2012/Sony+Blu-r



- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/


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