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Resident Evil: Afterlife – Opens September 10th

David Mumpower: You, the master of unlocking, should watch this trailer.

Josh Spiegel: As a video game neophyte, I can't believe they're still making these movies, with or without the world's most advanced 3-D technology. As with the others, this movie looks just dumb. I'm sure that those who love the other three (there have been THREE of these movies?) will eat this up, but...no thanks.

Michael Lynderey: Somewhere, somehow, they've managed to make four of these, despite what I'm sure may have been high temptations to reboot. Not too shabby. It's really one of the only pre-2003 (pre-Texas Chainsaw remake, which changed everything) horror franchises still making new movies in their original continuity, so that's a plus, and they even use some old school early 2000s song in the trailer.

But look, these movies have sort of seemed the same to me for a while now, so part four is personally not that high on my anticipation list. That said, it should have no problem pulling in its standard $50 million, and good for it if it does. I just wish they didn't have to go the 3D route.

David Mumpower: I think that most long time readers of BOP know by now that I'm a huge fan of the Resident Evil videogame franchise. Resident Evil 4 is in the conversation for best videogame of all time. The movies have moved away from the series in order to create a slightly different universe with the end result being that quality is more of an issue with them than it has been with the games.

Keeping this in mind, the fourth release has made a couple of clever determinations. The first is to maximize the potential of the emerging technologies. While Michael says that the usage of Cameron's 3-D tech doesn't matter to him, it does to a lot of people who would otherwise be on the fence about this project. It distinguishes the project in a way that needs to happen to avoid the perception that a fourth Resident Evil feature is just the studio going through the motions to make a quick buck. That is the difference between the usual $50 million domestic run and a chance to approach that on opening weekend. Yes, a lot of that is because of the higher event ticket pricing, but this has the look and feel of a better production than they have had in the past.

Also, there is the one sequence that directly appeals to fans of the videogames. Resident Evil 5's first level ends with one of those giant hammer guys trying to smash the player to bits and a lot of work is required to beat that guy. It's a memorable encounter and the decision to incorporate that boss battle into the movie is the correct one. In fact, the one suggestion I would make in creating further Resident Evil movies is to learn from the success of Resident Evil 4 and utilize the concept that made that game such a rush. Boss battle, boss battle, boss battle. 300 implemented this idea in a fashion, but it rightfully belongs in the Resident Evil movie franchise. The hammer guy teases that possibility and I hope that it comes to fruition either this time or in the inevitable Resident Evil After-Afterlife.

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