Resident Evil (R, 2002)

common sense media says

An ultra-gory video game-to-movie disappointment.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say language is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has extremely gross and graphic violence, with many disgusting deaths and truly icky monsters. Characters are in extreme peril and most of them are killed. There is very strong language and a brief sexual situation with nudity.

Violence: Graphic violence with many characters killed or in extreme peril.
Sex: Sexual references, brief nudity.
Language: Very strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Resident Evil

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how people should respond if they believe that their organization is doing something wrong and about the kinds of controls our society establishes to keep private organizations from getting out of control. They can also talk about how this movie could have been better.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this sci-fi thriller, a huge corporate conglomerate operates a mysterious underground research facility called The Hive. When something goes wrong with a devastating virus experiment, the governing computer system (think 2001's Hal the computer with the voice of Alice in Wonderland) shuts everything down, including killing off all the people. Two amnesiac security officers are brought down into The Hive by a team of commandos. And the rest of the movie consists of the group being confronted by various booby-traps and being chased by various mutants and zombies.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The definitive comment about RESIDENT EVIL was made by my friend, who walked out of the theater with me and said, "The computer game is more realistic than the movie." At least, I think that's what he said. My ears were still ringing from the highest decibel audio track I can remember. OK, no one was going in expecting insights about the human condition or Oscar-worthy performances in a movie based on a CD-ROM. All we hope for is some cool special effects and fight scenes. But even on that level, Resident Evil is a disappointment.

 

For the record, I can accept forgoing insight, characterization, and even dialogue in a movie like this. But it's not OK to forego stunning visuals, clever plot twists, and a sense of humor, and here Resident Evil falls short. What it does have is undead humans who look like rejects from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video, mutant vampire Dobermans who look like they they've been turned inside out, some laser beams that slice into people in a really gross way, and, on the plus side, a literally kick-ass performance by Michelle Rodriguez.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Cast: Eric Mabius, Michelle Rodriguez, Milla Jovovich
Genre: Science Fiction
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: March 22, 2002
DVD release: December 17, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: gross violence, language, and brief nudity

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 15 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say language is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 27% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

Ashnak
adult
 
Good Adult Horror SciFi
The best scene is in the first 20 minutes involving lasers.

cashed12
parent of 12 , and 14 , 16 year old
 
A gruesome sci-fi/horror gorefoest,Not for anyone.
I hate it,This movie is a sci-fi/horror gorefest for no one under 17

BlueCastle
kid, 10 years old
 
great movie but APOCALYPSE will be better hopefully
I saw this movie today it was great but hopefully the next one will be better

 
Too violent for pre-teens
Good sci-fi/horror film not too bad laser scene might disturb younger people and the aftermath of it.

 
The movie is a horror-action-thriller that can be pretty shocking at points but OK for pre-teens because it is so unrealistic in the matter of the undead and blood, the movie will most likely appeal to your teen because of the story line. p.s. the movies only downfall is the language and peril.

Gorrilas R Beast
teen, 17 years old
 
It's fine for like 13+
It's awesome. The goriest part was the laser scene. I love this movie

 
Great watch for anyone 13-14 and up.
I think this movie is excellent for children in the sense that, yes, some of the scenes are gory and violent, but it has an excellent style and presentation that lends itself to a wonderful film. This film portrays exactly what we should expect in our nation (the U.S) today. With all the lies and corruption we have floating about, I think kids need to know that we may not be far from something similar to this bio-warfare from happening. It's an eye opener to the things that could be to come.

albinoballpython
teen, 17 years old
 
One Of The Best Movies Ever Made!!!
But Resident Evil Apocalypse Is Better!!!

4Spice
adult
 
i loved it
this movie is a great action/horror/triller movie 16 and over for brief nudity intense violence and strong language lots of blood no kids at all

elreader46
teen, 15 years old
 
This zombie "end of the world" thriller is a truel good movie with some iffy parts involved. In the movie Alice, zombie hunter, is killing a virus deep under ground. The movie is gory, violent, little sexual behavor. Some kisses here and there, but it is truely a very violent and gory flick. Recommended for people fifteen and up.l

Renegade of funk
parent of 13 year old
 

 
Let's Slow it Down!
I hadn't plan on reviewing this film since I havent watched it in over a year... but after reading my fellow reviewers responses, I decided I needed to do the film justice. Now the film was actually done rather well... and as for some people who would catagorize this film in the "b" section of budget and production, they would be sadly mistaken. The movie wasnt supposed to follow the game... it was mearly based on the existing format layed out by Capcom. The movie did well enought to provide 3 sequels to date. (RE: Apocolypse, RE: Extinction. and RE: Degeneration). I just felt like I needed to do this film justice. Thanks for reading!

Zachc1126
teen, 17 years old
 
I luved it!
it one of my favorite movies! too bad i watched it when i was sick

neutral15
teen, 17 years old
 
Not 14? don't watch please
a good movie that's too violent for anyone who is not a tenneager

Kiki Long.
teen, 15 years old
 
It's Alright
I actually love this film, the gore isn't that bad, I think it's because even though you see someone lazered in to a heap of human mush it doesn't look real. It isn't the best story line but it was good for a sleepover.

whaleoh4060
teen, 14 years old
 
Gory, but good
This is now one of my favs. The language is what you'd expect in a PG-13 movie so it isn't that bad. Many of the zombies look frightening and even skinless. It is great the way it switches between action and suspense. If you want a taste of the gore go on Youtube and type in Resident Evil Laser Scene. Great techno thriller.

addisonthereviewer
teen, 13 years old
 
Some people may like it some people may hate it.
Good but very disappointing. im a huge fan of the video game but this movie disappointed me because: Acting is horrible Doesn't keep close at all to the book To short Cg is bad i did like the action in the movie and it was entertaining. the movie does have bad language that is not suitable for kids under the age of 13-15. the movies violence is pretty violent the only time it does get the most violent is the laser scene where most of them are dying. so the movies pretty good just doesn't keep close to t he games and has language that does not have to be used. it has some dumb s**ual references and some flash backs of you know what.

 
awesome movie if u wanna be scared and dont mind violence and language

bill987
adult
 
awesomeness
Resident evil just blew my mind my favrie part is the lasers.Alice nis hot. but thats not my point red qween is an homisidel b**ch.If you haven't seen it see it now!If you have seen it and you didn't like you suck the action is kick ass the zombie effects are cool my rel point is if you hav e not seen this movie go see or you'll miss out on a relly awesome movie look f or my next review on resident evil apcolyse

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