RESIDENT EVIL VS. UNDERWORLD

    before I get started on this post. I want to tell you I'm really mad because I lost this post when I was half done, and it is really long. LOL, I guess that is what I get. Anyway this is a new type of post where I will take any two movies and have them fight for dominance. I will look at things like story, budget, profit, actors, directors, writers and advertisement. LETS GET IT ON!!!!!!

    For my first V.S. post I will be facing off two of my favorite movie. Resident Evil (2002) and Underworld (2002). This post is also for the up coming RESIDENT EVIL EXTINCTION in theaters 9/20/07. Plus the announcement of the untitled Underworld Prequel.

RESIDENT EVIL'S STORYLINE
    Resident Evil is based off the popular Japanese video game Resident Evil. With it's large fan group not only in Japan, but in many different parts of the world. It is no wonder why this movie was a big successes. In Resident Evil, the Umbrella corporation is one of the most powerful companies in the world. Unknown to the world, it's success is due to a secret underground lab where viral weapons are tested and made. A new virus that the company created escapes, turning hundreds of scientists into flesh hungry zombies. The main computer shuts down the labs for risk of infection. A special task force is sent in to shut down the main computer and quarantine the deadly virus. What awaits them is beyond ordinary procedure.
UNDERWORLD'S STORYLINE
    Underworld however is a less known story. Really the story of an war between vampires and werewolves goes back hundreds of years. In all clarity Underworld just modernized  the story, and did a hell of a good job. In Underworld, vampires and werewolves have been sworn enemies for hundreds of years. Now fought in a Gothic-like setting, the conflict takes an unexpected and deadly new turn. Selene, a beautiful vampire warrior , uncovers a Lycan plot that could prove fatal for her entire race. She shadows a human, Michael, the Lycan's supposed target. Although she finds herself becoming attracted to him, he becomes infected with the lupine disease during a violent struggle with the Lycan overlord, Lucian, long thought to be dead. Now both sides must decide how to end the conflict and save their species as new and terrifying secrets unearth themselves and threaten their entire existance.
THE WINNER
    Despite these stories , and there characters. There is still the main factor of popularity. Resident Evil is certainly the more known of the two. Yet Underworld has a pretty big fan base as well. The Resident Evil movie itself is presented as a prequel to the video games, and has allot to build on from previous information. On the overhand Underworld has a very large storyline reaching over the span of 1000 years. So which one of these movies has a that has the potential of become a successful movie series? the winner is RESIDENT EVIL. The point that this movie already has a set storyline and fan base almost ensures a successful series. Of course for all you fan this is based of the these first two movies in the series.
THE BIDGET   
    Both movies had small budget, and I say this from my prospective of the Hollywood budget standard. Resident Evil cost about 33 million dollars to make. IT is understandable to see where this money went, if you watch the movie. With some great visual effects,computer generated monsters and large sets. It is hard to believe this movie wasn't done for allot more money. Underworld however cost 11 million dollars less then Resident Evil at 22 million. This movie is a great example of a movie that can do allot more with less. Using on location sets and very effective camera angling to it's advantage, Underworld almost looks like a high budget movie blockbuster.
THE WINNER
The winner is UNDERWORLD. This movie does show what you can do with the right screenwriter and director.
THE PROFIT
    Both Resident Evil and Underworld where large hits for the movie genre. It is true that domestically Underworld(51,970,690) brought in more then Resident Evil(40,119,709). But if you take a look at the big picture(worldwide) Resident Evil's(102,441,078) compared to Underworld's(95,708,457). Again I will state the popularity of the Resident Evil franchise for this win of the worldwide scale. Still it is impressive to see Underworld come so close.
THE WINNER
    The winner is RESIDENT EVIL for making the most money of them both. But to get a better look, and make your own decision. Check out my Box Office Mojo SHOWDOWN
THE ACTORS
    Here we go my favorite part of this new post, and against two of my favorite actors Kate Beckinsale and Milla Jovovich. It is true that both actresses are very talented, and fit very well in these movie. Yet which one of them is better.
MILLA JOVOVICH    
It seems I've been starting with Resident Evil throughout this blog, so why break the pattern? In Resident Evil Alice (Milla Jovovich) is strong, smart and sexy. Now lets face it sex sells and ladies don't talk, I'm sure you loved 300 for it's historical value. But really what more does a guy need in an action movie then a hot girl who kills everything. Now back to the topic. In Resident Evil Milla Jovovich shows that she can protect herself from the big bad zombies, and established herself as one of the hottest movie heroines of all time. Yet some of the acting in this movie was very subpar. What I'm trying to say is that I've seen better from Milla.
Kate Beckinsale
    Talking about how sex sells, Kate Beckinsale is portrayed as an eternal vampire in her early twenties, who wears a leather suit so skin tight, it is not wonder why over 50% of it's audience are males ages 25 or under. But never the less this was not the first movie I saw Kate Beckinsale star in, but it was the one were she stood out as the great actress she is. Yet continuing the similarities between both movies, there were a few scenes that could have had better acting.
THE WINNER
    So which one is the winner to the winner. I've already mentioned that both movies are very similar in their lead actress role. Yet if you've seen the movies I think you would agree that KATE BECKINSALE is the winner in this round.
WRITER/DIRECTOR
    Since the writers of both movies also went on to direct their own scripts, I thought I would combined this section. I also think it is funny that for both movies the directors and actresses  have had relationships and even marriages.
PAUL W.S. ANDERSON
    As a writer/director on many video game movies (Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil) you could tell the writing of this movie would be very promising. And the directing was also very well done. But the movie I think was lacking a darker feeling. If you played the Resident Evil games it is alway a dark area. Not Paul W.S. Anderson's best directing job. Also the writing for the movie does a little less then you would expect to make reference to the video game itself.
LEN WISEMAN
    As a first time writer/director for a movie, he does a fantastic job. He mentions of the Underworld DVD commentary he wanted Underworld to feel like a dark comic book rather then a movie. I think he did a good job. Also the writing for this movie is done rather well making a movie that reaches 1000 years plus in past easy to follow.
THE WINNER
    In my opinion LEN WISEMAN. When you think of it being his very first movie, you have to be impresses with all the skilled camera angles and low budget visual effects that actually look good in this movie.
ADVERTISEMENTS
    This is my favorite part of this blog. Mainly because I don't have to write much. I'm going to post up the trailers for both movies, and then tell you what I like or dislike about it.
RESIDENT EVIL
   

    In this trailer we don't really get a feel for what the story is going to be about. There is not a big hint that it will be a prequel to the video game. But we do see something that resembles the video game in many way. This I think was a smart movie. They made the movie look scary with short scenes or mutilated zombies and a scary robotic voice.
UNDERWORLD

    There is a strong comic book movie feeling from this trailer. Also from this trailer the promise of love, action and family problems. It sort of looks like a Romeo and Juliet for vampires and werewolves.
THE WINNER
    The winner in this one is easy. RESIDENT EVIL, because of the fact they didn't have to let much of the story go to sell their product. Of course this is due to the already popular series of video games. They advertised a movie of horror and action and did just that.
THE WINNER OVER ALL
    If you go back and look at the wins so far, you will notice the movies are 3 for 3. So which one is the better movie. I would have to say UNDERWORLD. Simply because the movie didn't play off a already popular series. In fact it succeeded in a movie genre that isn't the most popular in the market. So congratulations to Underworld and it's victory.

Comments

[James]

Wow... i actually read all this and i agree with you alot but i like the underworld trailer so much more i think they should have done the voice on the resident evil so much better

[Kristen]

I do have a question for you...Do you review movies for yourself or for the movie companies? I have always wanted to review movies and express my opinion. I may not go into so much details as you did but I think that it would still be interesting. If you have any information on this please email me about it I would love to know. Thank you!

[Resident Evil Soundtrack]

I will go for the film Resident evil. I watched it lot of time. It is brilliant movie. Milla Jovovich and other co actor has really done very good job in this film.

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Oh man, how could you not have put down "Amelie"? I watch that over and over again for her hair...her clothes...and just the basic richness of the movie. The premise sure sounds interesting...most movies today are about a load of nonsense...

[Generic Viagra]

OK you put me in a hard position, both movies are awesome, but the most hard part in had to chose one of the girls on the movies, how dare you? Ok let see, Milla or Kate, my God my head is hurt!! ultimately I choose Milla.

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i think i like them both but i really like is resident evil my favorite movie yea resident evill rocksssssssssssss resident retribution