Resident Evil Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of the first "Resident Evil" installment boasts a robust and vivid 1080p High Definition video quality, maintaining the movie's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Detail and sharpness are praiseworthy, pushing the visuals to a level where they occasionally appear three-dimensional. Despite the film's age and modest budget, the picture quality remains astonishingly strong, with only minimal grain—attributed to specific stylistic choices or technical necessities of certain scenes—doing little to detract from the overall clarity and depth. Color reproduction is notably vibrant, with a wide range supported; clinical settings radiate with stark whites, while darker scenes feature impressively deep and consistent blacks, ensuring that shadows and fine details are beautifully rendered.

The Blu-ray transfer excels in presenting colors with richness and vitality, where cooler tones like blues and grays dominate, contributing to the film’s eerie atmosphere, yet allowing for moments where brighter colors burst forth with fantastic clarity. The high-definition master drawn upon for this release evidently comes from an impeccably maintained print, free from flaws and bolstered by an exceptional level of detail across both central and peripheral elements. Black levels are commendably deep, ensuring that no detail is submerged in darkness, even during the film's more shadow-laden sequences. A minor note of brightness adjustment in dark scenes seems inherent to the source material rather than a demerit on the transfer’s part.

Equipped with an AVC MPEG-4 encode, this presentation not only highlights ‘Resident Evil’s’ polished cinematography but enhances it through vivid coloration—particularly reds and blues—and excellent contrast that gives life to the film’s sleek, metallic, high-tech settings. While grain is present as part of the film's intended aesthetic, especially noticeable in certain climactic scenes for dramatic effect, it is well-managed and never detracts from the visual experience. This release even showcases elements such as security camera footage and small overlay texts with such clarity that they stand in stark improvement over previous DVD versions. In sum, 'Resident Evil' on Blu-ray offers a remarkably crisp and engaging visual feast, making it a standout among catalogue titles and even surpassing its sequels in terms of visual quality

The audio presentation of "Resident Evil" on Blu-ray, delivered in a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, offers an immersive and thrilling sonic experience that enhances the movie's intense and eerie atmosphere. Running at 3.5-4.5 Mbps, this sound track meticulously captures every audio detail, from the chilling screams and zombie moans to the crisply recorded sound effects of gun battles and the ominous, pulsating music score by Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. Dialogue is mostly clear and coherent, emanating from the front and center channels, ensuring that viewers can follow the narrative amidst the chaos. However, some parts of the movie suffer from a slight imbalance where music and effects overpower the dialogue, slightly detracting from an otherwise excellently mixed soundtrack.

The audio experience is characterized by deep, powerful bass that adds shock value during intense scenes, and a dynamic use of surround channels that keeps the listener enveloped in the movie's terrifying world. Noteworthy is the creative use of the surround stage, particularly when audio elements like the Red Queen computer's dialogue and psychedelic music cues envelop the audience, creating uniquely immersive moments. Despite the mix becoming somewhat muddled during the louder confrontations due to an overload of competing noises, the overall sound quality remains superior, offering true high-definition, theater-quality sound.

Continuing Sony's trend towards efficient audio formats, the Blu-ray defaults to a lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack if compatible hardware is detected, with a fallback to standard Dolby Digital 5.1 for older systems. This ensures that all viewers receive the best possible audio experience regardless of their setup. The soundtrack’s aggressive use of throbbing bass and jolting stinger scares alongside creatively used surround channels contribute to a riveting aural experience, although clarity may occasionally be compromised during scenes with an abundance of auditory stimuli.

The Blu-ray release of "Resident Evil" compiles a comprehensive set of extras, blending technical insights with behind-the-scenes content. While the cast and filmmaker commentary might be hit or miss due to its chaotic nature, the visual effects commentary offers a more substantive dive into the technical aspects of the film's production. A collection of twelve featurettes explores various facets of the adaptation process from game to screen, the intricacies of scoring, and detailed looks at costume and set design, among others. The alternate ending, introduced by director Paul Anderson, presents an intriguing what-if scenario for fans. Although the inclusion of the "My Plague" music video by Slipknot contrasts sharply with the film's score, it adds variety to the extras. Noteworthy is the Blu-Wizard feature, allowing for a customizable viewing experience of the extras, though its implementation feels somewhat clunky. Two Easter eggs add an element of fun discovery for dedicated fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Cast and Crew: Involves director Paul W.S. Anderson, producer Jeremy Bolt, actor Jason Isaacs, and actresses Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez.
• Visual Effects Commentary: By director Paul W.S. Anderson and visual effects supervisor Richard Yuricich.
• Playing Dead: Resident Evil from Game to Screen: Explores the franchise's origins and adaptation process.
• The Making of Resident Evil: A behind-the-scenes look at production.
• Scoring Resident Evil: Insights from composers Marco Beltrami and Marilyn Manson on their musical collaboration.
• Storyboarding Resident Evil: Director Paul W.S. Anderson discusses key scenes alongside storyboard comparisons.
• Featurettes on Costume Design, Set Design, and Key Concepts: Including "The Creature", "The Elevator", "The Laser", "The Train", "Zombie Dogs", and "Zombies".
• Alternate Ending with Director's Introduction: Provides a glimpse into a different conclusion for the film.
• "My Plague" Music Video by Slipknot.
• Previews: For a selection of other films.
• Blu-Wizard: An exclusive interactive feature for customizing the viewing order of extras.
• Easter Eggs: Include "Zombie Camera Tests" and "Milla Jovovich Camera Test".

"Resident Evil," on Blu-ray, delivers a unique blend of action, horror, and video game nostalgia, transporting viewers into the eerie underground world of The Hive. Helmed by Paul W.S. Anderson, this adaptation surprisingly succeeds where others have faltered, presenting a smooth crossover from the survival horror game for the PlayStation console to a cinematic experience. With a modest yet effectively utilized budget, the film stars Milla Jovovich as Alice, who alongside a team of commandos, navigates the dangers of a high-tech research facility overrun by zombies. Despite its challenges in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with genre giants like "Dawn of the Dead" or achieving the cult status of action-packed thrillers like "The Matrix," "Resident Evil" finds its stride by combining elements from three major entertainment mediums: zombies, action, and video games. This amalgamation places it comfortably in the midfield of quality cinema—offering enough novelty and adrenaline-pumping sequences to entertain, without venturing into groundbreaking territory.

Technically, "Resident Evil" shines on Blu-ray with commendable video and superior audio quality that amplifies its atmospheric tension and slick production design. The extras from previous DVD releases are fully ported over, enriching the viewing experience for fans. While the film may not appeal universally due to its blend of intense action and undead horror, it serves as a testament to Anderson's ability to navigate the often murky waters of video game adaptations. The pacing is tight, the set pieces memorably inventive—especially the laser grid scene—and despite some CGI missteps (notably the Licker), the practical effects and makeup impress.

Essentially, "Resident Evil" thrives as an engaging, if not entirely spectacular, turn-your-brain-off entertainment piece. It exceeded expectations set by its video game origins and previous genre attempts—thanks largely to its coherent narrative and solid performances, especially by Jovovich. While it may not win over critics looking for depth or groundbreaking storytelling, it undeniably secures its place as a worthy watch for fans of the games, action aficionados, and those seeking a thrilling sci-fi infused zombie escapade. The Blu-ray edition further underscores this appeal with technical finesse, making it a must-have for collectors and newcomers intrigued by its premise.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Resident Evil" stands as a remarkable testament to the successful translation of a video game into a compelling cinematic experience. This film, encapsulated with riveting action sequences, a touch of horror-induced adrenaline, and proficient acting coupled with astute direction, delivers precisely on the expectations set by its premise. Notably, this Blu-ray edition shines with its exceptional video and audio fidelity, promising an immersive viewing experience that accentuates every detail of the undead's relentless pursuit. The plethora of supplemental materials further enhances this package, offering fans an in-depth appreciation of the movie's production and legacy. As a representation of the zombie/action genre and video game adaptations, "Resident Evil" secures its position as a noteworthy collection addition.

Moreover, the Blu-ray edition's allure is not merely confined to its technical superiority but also lies in its ability to succinctly cater to a nuanced audience seeking visceral entertainment. Beyond its critique-resistant shell, the film thrives on its straightforward premise—one that indelibly enjoys highlighting its protagonist's endeavors against a horde of zombies. The amalgam of high-definition visual quality and dynamic sound design synergistically complements the narrative, ensuring that each scene's intensity is both seen and felt. The comprehensive selection of bonus features available in this edition not only serves as an attractive proposition for collectors but also as an educational conduit for enthusiasts keen on delving deeper into the intricacies of "Resident Evil’s" journey from a game to a film phenomenon.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Resident Evil" is an exemplary showcase of how to elevate a film through meticulous attention to audio-visual quality and supplementary content. It caters adeptly to both fans of the genre and admirers of the original video game series, presenting a polished and entertaining spectacle that stands tall within its domain. Whether for the purpose of nostalgia, admiration for the franchise, or simply the enjoyment of a well-crafted action-horror movie, this edition is a commendable addition to any collection, heartily recommended for its engaging content and superior presentation standards.