Resident Evil: Apocalypse MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

Based on the popular video-game series, this sci-fi horror sequel picks up where the original Resident Evil left off. Alice (Milla Jovovich) finds herself in the middle of yet another undead nightmare brought on by the genetic meddling of the Umbrella Corporation. After successfully sealing the deadly, zombie-creating T-virus in the Hive a high-tech genetics laboratory under Raccoon City Alice hoped her troubles were over. But to investigate what went wrong, the Corporation decides to re-open the Hive, setting loose mutants, zombies and other hideous and horrific creatures in Raccoon City. And even more disturbing, the T-virus is allowed to spread. Now Alice and fellow survivors like Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory) and Carlos Oliviera (Oded Fehr) must find a way to escape the zombies and contain the virus before it destroys Raccoon City and the world beyond.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse continues in the same thematic vein as its predecessor. The evil Umbrella Corporation is more interested in results than in ethical standards. For the Corporation, people are expendable resources and nothing is sacred, so anything goes. They create monsters, destroy lives and think of it as a neat experiment. Meanwhile people with principles like Alice and the band of survivors must fight against the demands and tactics of the oppressive Corporation. The film sets up a simplistic battle between good and evil. It also deals with other issues, the most prominent being genetics and the manipulation of life. But ultimately, all of the other features of Resident Evil are swallowed up by the nonstop, graphic violence, gore and horror that characterize the film. Apocalypse then adds brief nudity and objectionable language to the mix, sending it far into the negative acceptability zone.

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: Screen Gems