When it comes to the end of the world, call a woman — or a girl — to fight the zombie hordes and other evil forces.
Tuesday's release of "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" (Sony, $27 DVD, $35 Blu-ray; also 4K and on-demand) offers few surprises.
A no-nonsense Milla Jovovich deftly kicks butt again in a cinematic video game filled with over-the-top action and snappy visuals. Amid stilted pacing and choppy editing, the film offers an indifferent return to the heart of Umbrella Corp., capping a film franchise that has arguably overstayed its welcome.
For a more thoughtful take on a post-apocalyptic heroine, check out the British import "The Girl With All the Gifts" (Lionsgate, $20 DVD, $25 Blu-ray; also on-demand).
Newcomer Sennia Nanua beams as a precocious girl named Melanie who holds the key to the future of humankind after a fungus spreads a zombie plague. She also happens to crave human flesh. Glenn Close, the only big name in the cast, is surprisingly effective as a scientist who views the young, would-be savior as nothing more than a lab rat.
Despite a few stumbles in the final moments, this fresh take on the zombie genre is well worth seeking out.
Also coming Tuesday
• "A Mermaid's Tale"
• "12 Pound Balls"
• "The Space Between Us"
• "Streets of Fire" (Blu-ray)
• "XXX: Return of Zander Cage"
