Resident Evil: The Final Chapter UHD Review

4 Stars Fun, but predictable, final (?) ride

Movies based on video games is a genre that sees more failures than successes. It’s hard to imagine that Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil movie franchise managed to survive six films, supposedly coming to its conclusion with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. The film is a fun ride, with some nice action set pieces, but just about anyone can see the ending and plot “surprises” a mile away.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
Released: 27 Jan 2017
Rated: R
Runtime: 107 min
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts
Writer(s): Paul W.S. Anderson
Plot: Alice returns to where the nightmare began: The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
IMDB rating: 5.6
MetaScore: 49

Disc Information
Studio: Sony
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution: 2160p HEVC w/HDR
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: Dolby Atmos, English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, English DVS 2.0, Spanish 5.1 DD, French 5.1 DD, Other
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Other
Rating: R
Run Time: 1 Hr. 47 Min.
Package Includes: UHD, Blu-ray, UltraViolet
Case Type: 2-disc UHD keepcase with slipcover
Disc Type: UHD
Region: All
Release Date: 05/16/2017
MSRP: $45.99

The Production: 2.5/5

Alice (Milla Jovovich) returns for one last battle with zombies and the Umbrella Corporation in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, taking her back to where it all began at the hive in Raccoon City, with the Red Queen (Ever Anderson) telling Alice that she has to find the anti-virus there and release it before time runs out and the last standing civilization falls, all while being chased by Dr. Isaacs (Iain Glen). Upon her arrival, she meets up with a group of rebels, led by (surprise!) Claire Redfield (Ali Larter) that includes Doc (Eoin Macken), Razor (Fraser James), Cobalt (Rola), Christian (William Levy), and Abigail (Ruby Rose). The team finds an entrance into the hive, finding they have to do battle (yet again) with Wesker (Shawn Roberts) in order to retrieve the anti-virus that will kill anyone who has been infected with the T-virus, including Alice, and make everyone else immune. Alice eventually learns not only her destiny, but her past that she has been unable to remember ever since the outbreak began.

Director Paul W.S. Anderson manages to almost completely distract his audience from the film’s overly predictable plot points by creating some exciting action set pieces that keep the pace moving briskly. The major problem is that the movie’s BIG reveal is too blatantly foretold in the prologue, so much so that the only one really surprised is Alice herself, unless every member of the audience is brain dead. Milla Jovovich shows her ability to carry a movie as a female action star, as she has done throughout the series. It’s a shame, though, that the series was never able to succeed beyond its mediocrity.

Video: 4.5/5

3D Rating: NA

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter was captured in 5K resolution using Red Epic Dragon cameras and completed as a 4K digital intermediate. Unfortunately, the 2160p transfer, graded mildly with HDR, suffers from the same issues I had with Underworld: Blood Wars. Blacks are almost too deep, often obscuring shadow detail in some of the much darker sequences in the film. That being said, though, colors are much more natural here than on the 1080p Blu-ray, and fine detail is excellent in the few daytime scenes, where you can see the textures in the grime on the actors’ faces and clothes, as well as in the textures of the fabrics used in the costumes. Unfortunately, although the movie received a rather wide 3D theatrical release, Sony once again did not include a 3D version in their UHD package. If you want to watch the movie in 3D, you will need to rent or purchase the 3D version on Vudu separately.

Audio: 5/5

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter comes with a very LOUD and rambunctious Dolby Atmos track, which includes a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core. Gunfire, zombie attacks, explosions, and a host of other effects come at you from all directions in this immersive track. Compared to the DTS-HD MA 7.1 track found on the Blu-ray, LFE is more prevalent in this mix, but never overpowering or too boomy. As loud and active as this track often is, dialogue is always clear and understandable, never getting overpowered by music and effects. Another stellar Atmos mix from Sony.

Special Features: 3/5

All of the Special Features can be found on the included Blu-ray version.

Retaliation Mode (1080p; 136.:42): The movie occasionally cuts away to interviews and behind the scenes footage, hosted by Writer-Director Paul W.S. Anderson and his wife, Milla Jovovich.

Stunts & Weaponry (1080p; 9:03): A look at the stunts and weapons used in the film.

Explore the Hive (1080p; 4:18): A look at the main indoor set for the film and its various incarnations throughout the franchise.

The Bad Ass Trinity & the Women of Resident Evil (1080p; 6:32): A brief glimpse at the main female characters in the franchise.

Sneak Peak: Resident Evil: Vendetta (1080p; 4:22): An extended trailer for the upcoming animated feature based on the video game series.

Digital HD Copy: An insert contains a code to redeem a digital copy through Ultraviolet partners.

Overall: 4/5

Although the title claims this is The Final Chapter, the movie does leave itself open for additional entries. The Resident Evil movies are forgettable fun, and this one is no exception. The UHD presentation is very good, but it is disappointing that the 3D version could not be included.

Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.

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gadgtfreek

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Jason
Already have this one, have to flip a coin next weekend whether to watch it or Unforgiven UHD first.
 

DavidMiller

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Already have this one, have to flip a coin next weekend whether to watch it or Unforgiven UHD first.

I have it too... Probably watch this and War Dogs tonight. I didn't notice Blood Wars being really dark either but I believe the size of my display alters appearance. I'm not question the review but just getting a baseline.
 

gadgtfreek

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Jason
Dark is probably a bad word, for me I think it had less pop because they were restrained in their use of HDR IMO. I thought it looked great, but saw some reviews stated black crush or loss of detail. I did not see that.

I think I am getting spoiled by the spectracal highlights of HDR in things like buildings at night, street lights, car lights, etc..., and when I don't see it I get a little let down LOL. Spoiled...

There is a scene in jessica jones where she is outside the bar and luke cage is taking out the trash. From the white snow to the dark night sky, to the neon lights of the bar to the street lights, the contrast ratio on the OLED is ridiculous. I love it.

I do really want a larger screen though, next year might have me looking into a 75" Sony 940E if it does well this year.
 
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