The cinematic adaptation of Capcom's popular video game Resident Evil is currently shooting on location in Europe.  The film version, known as Resident Evil: Ground Zero is actually a prequel to what transpires during the horror-themed video game.  Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element) and Michelle Rodriguez star in this film, which does include many specific elements from the video game including 'zombie dogs' and the 'Licker.'  Production stills indicate that the filmmakers have managed to create a dark, ominous atmosphere of pure horror as the two female leads attempt to elude the grasp of hordes of creepy, white-coated scientist/zombies.  The Resident Evil film depends on lighting, makeup and old fashioned cinematic shock devices rather than on computer generated special effects, something that should appeal to horror fans, who are no doubt tired of vast armies of computer generated figures that lack any semblance of reality save for outward appearance (The Mummy Returns).

 

Resident Evil: Ground Zero, which is due to be released in the U.S. in 2002 is yet another reason that pop culture retailers should take a look at the excellent series of Resident Evil action figures from Palisades Marketing.  The highly detailed, deftly painted figures have done extremely well in stores that sell video games, though relatively few pop culture retailers have given them a shot, in spite of the fact that the demographic for the highly popular Capcom Resident Evil videogame is almost identical with the profile of those who regularly shop in pop culture stores.  The fact that these figures are based on a popular videogame gives them a longevity that no action figures based on a movie alone (unless it is Nightmare Before Christmas) could have.  The release of the Resident Evil: Ground Zero film version should introduce the property to a wider audience, but the videogame will endure even if the movie is a flop.