Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

London, August 23rd 2010. Today I was invited down to Sony in central London for an exclusive sneak peek at footage from the forthcoming Resident Evil: Afterlife movie.

First, there was a short video introduction by director Paul W. S. Anderson in which he talks about the technology used to create the 3D look of movie. Hiring out the James Cameron and Vince Pace 3D Fusion Camera System which was developed for Avatar, Anderson explained that the 3D element of the movie will be used to draw audiences into the story. With scenes depicting rainfall, aerial shots and characters falling down elevator shafts, there are more than enough opportunities to create an immersive experience unlike any we have seen before in movies.

Then came the clip. Taking place in a darkened bathroom, we first see a group of humans peering into a hole in the ground. Among them are Alice (Milla Jovovich), Claire (Ali Later) and Chris (Wentworth Miller). Chris is the first to decide to go down the hole, but just before the rest of them are about to, a giant axe swipes right through a young man’s shoulder, tearing him in half. Amidst a splash of blood, his torn body drops to the floor and we see the Axeman towering before the rest of the group.

The battle between Claire and the Axeman commences. As the Axeman wields his axe, he decapitates the shower heads off the pipes. This creates a raining effect as the jets of water hit the ceiling and cascade back down at various angles. The depth is stunning in 3D as the Axeman swipes at Claire who moves in magnificent slow motion to a thundering industrial soundtrack which shakes even the coins in my pockets.

As Alice and Claire eventually catch their breaths long enough to fire shots at him, there is a wonderful moment of blood splatter which doesn’t just hit the screen, but comes directly out of it toward you! When the clip ended, I think my coins were on the floor. I’ve seen my fair share of 3D films, but so far Resident Evil: Afterlife not only looks, but sounds like an event film. Judging by the few minutes of footage we were shown, it really was an immersive experience and I for one am looking forward to seeing it in full.

Resident Evil: Afterlife is released in the UK on September 10th 2010 and is distributed by Sony Pictures.

Written and Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts
Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Spencer Locke, Boris Kodjoe and Wentworth Miller

SYNOPSIS:
In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich), continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises safe haven from the Undead leads them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive, the city is overrun by thousands of Undead and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.