In 1996, a new console game was released on the Sony Playstation under a hype of publicity in Japan, titled "Biohazard". Critics were describing it as the "best 3D action game ever", and raved about it's fantastic rendered graphics, it's amazing sound and it's cinematic storyline.
Combining all the elements from classic horror movies (such as flesh-eating zombies and mutant creatures), the game took Japan by storm. Shortly afterwards, the game had it's American release under the new title... "Resident Evil".
The game's storyline was gripping - Racoon City was like any other US city, and it's quiet suburbs seemed like the ideal place to live. However, the subdued atmosphere is shattered when residents start to see strange creatures, and people start to disappear. Following the discovery of bodies with wounds resembling animal attacks, the city sends it's Special Tactics and Rescue Squad (S.T.A.R.S.) to investigate. What they discover is terrifying, and they are forced to retreat to a nearby mansion... and this is where the horror begings.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse picks up from where the first film finished. The inhabitants of Racoon City are totally unaware of the viral timebomb ticking away below them, nor of the research that the Umbrella Corporation had been conducting. Keen to cover up what had happened, Umbrella send more S.T.A.R.S. members into the hive to destroy any evidence. However, no sooner do they enter the hive the virus escapes bringing unexplainable violence onto the streets of Racoon City.
Fearing the widespread release, Umbrella closes all exits from Racoon City, effectively quarantining the residents.
At this point, Alice awakes from "suspended animation" in the local hospital, where she was detained following her escape from the hive. She, along with several S.T.A.R.S. members and residents must survive the zombies, the virus and escape Racoon City before Umbrella destroys all evidence of the incident.

Director Alexander Witt has really done well with this film. His previous credits include that of Director Of Photography and Assistant Director in movies such as "XXX", "Black Hawk Down" and "Pirates Of The Caribbean", although this is his first movie as Director. He even plays a cameo in the film as a S.T.A.R.S. sniper !

There have been a few "Zombie" films released over the past year or so - "Dawn Of The Dead", "Shaun Of The Dead" - and this movie takes the best elements from these and the computer games.

I would recommend Resident Evil: Apocalypse to any horror / action movie fans, and anyone who has played and enjoyed the games !