Watch Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

In "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter," the sixth and last installment of the "Resident Evil" film franchise, Milla Jovovich returns as the iconic heroine Alice. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, who also directed the previous films, "The Final Chapter" picks up immediately after the events of "Resident Evil: Retribution." Alice wakes up in a devastated Washington D.C., where the Umbrella Corporation's deadly T-virus has turned the city into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The virus, originally developed as a bioweapon, has spread around the globe, causing a pandemic that's wiped out most of humanity and created a world of monsters. Alice discovers that the Umbrella Corporation's sinister CEO, Dr. Isaacs (Iain Glen), is still alive, and has been working on a new virus that will completely eradicate all life on Earth within 48 hours. The only way to stop him is to return to The Hive, the underground research facility where it all began, and retrieve an airborne antivirus. Alice's mission takes her back to Raccoon City, the site of the original outbreak, and face to face with her former ally-turned-enemy, Claire Redfield (Ali Larter). Along the way, Alice teams up with a group of survivors, including a tech-savvy young girl named Abigail (Ruby Rose), a former Umbrella soldier named Doc (Eoin Macken), and a mysterious woman named Razor (Fraser James). Together, they must fight their way through hordes of zombies, mutant dogs, and other obstacles to get to The Hive and save the world. As with the previous "Resident Evil" movies, "The Final Chapter" delivers plenty of action-packed, zombie-slaying thrills. The film is chock-full of impressive set pieces and CGI-enhanced battle sequences, featuring Alice and her team taking on waves of monsters in underground tunnels, abandoned cities, and other locales. There are also plenty of nods to the video game franchise that inspired the movies, including appearances by iconic characters like the Red Queen and the Nemesis. But "The Final Chapter" also tries to wrap up the overarching plot that's been building throughout the series, and it's here that the movie starts to falter. The story is convoluted and confusing at times, with plot twists that strain credibility and character motivations that aren't always clear. The film also struggles to balance its serious, apocalyptic tone with the more pulpy, over-the-top action scenes. On the acting front, Jovovich once again proves herself as a compelling and charismatic action heroine, bringing a mix of strength and vulnerability to Alice's must-save-the-world mission. Glen does a solid job as the villainous Dr. Isaacs, delivering some chillingly sinister lines with relish. Larter, unfortunately, is given little to do besides scowl and shoot things, and her character's dynamic with Alice feels underdeveloped. The supporting cast is serviceable but forgettable, often relegated to generic lines and shootouts. "The Final Chapter" does have some strengths, however. Anderson's direction is slick and stylish, and he keeps the pace brisk throughout the film's 106-minute runtime. The score, composed by Paul Haslinger, is suitably epic and pulse-pounding, adding to the movie's post-apocalyptic atmosphere. And there are a few standout scenes, like a tense confrontation in a laser-filled hallway, that showcase the film's best qualities. Overall, "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" is a mixed bag. It delivers on the action and zombie-killing fronts, but struggles to bring its convoluted story and characters to satisfying conclusions. Fans of the series and the video game franchise will likely find things to enjoy, but newcomers may be left feeling lost and bewildered. Still, as a grand finale to an iconic action-horror series, "The Final Chapter" has its moments of excitement and spectacle.