Ok. Sure it took me ten years to get to the final chapter of the Resident Evil franchise. But it was worth it. I’ve always enjoyed these movies for the escapism they provide. They’re bloody and violent, and put women in strong leading roles letting them kick ass.

I’ll always settle in for Milla Jovovich taking on the Umbrella Corporation.

The continuity on the franchise is solid, and the film opens with Alice (Jovovich) giving us a recap of everything that has gone before it.

So after surviving an encounter in Washington, Alice is contacted by the holographic Red Queen (Ever Anderson) with the reveal that time is running out for humanity, and that she’s turning on Umbrella.

There’s a cure to the T-virus that has infected the world, and turned countless living things into undead beasts and bio-weapons. But she has to return to The Hive, seen in the first movie, confront Isaacs (Iain Glen) and Wesker (Shawn Roberts) and learn a truth about herself.

She’ll reunite with Claire (Ali Larter – still crushing on her) and be joined by new faces, including Abigail (Ruby Rose). But the fight will claim its victims, and who will survive the final battle? The cost will be high, and the action will be big.

Anderson has seen over the franchise since it’s beginning, and he makes it look fun. Bloody, but fun. These movies are pure popcorn fare, and I enjoy them. I love Jovovich kicking ass.

I also love that not only does the film take us back to The Hive, but it will also set part of its climax in one of the most iconic locations from the first film.

The effects are solid, and some actors are better than others – I won’t name names, but man, I delight in the way Glen chews scenery. He’s always fantastic. And Jovovich and Larter… so good.

I’m going to have to revisit the series again soon, watch them back-to-back and really soak them up. As mentioned, the franchise has lots of continuity; there is a lot of attention to what has gone before. In fact, the continuity pays off as the film races towards its climax.

I’m sorry the series is done, but it’s amazing that there are six films with kick ass female characters, big action beats, and lots of blood and zombies. I won’t use the words guilty pleasure, as I have no guilt over my joy of them, but they are a pleasure.

Time to start from the beginning again.