The sequal: contingent upon execution, this industry staple can either be friend or foe. For everyone involved in the latest installment of the Resident Evil franchise, it’s definitely friend.

Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues her butt-kicking reign of dominance over the bad guys. Science may have created her, but she’ll be damned if it keeps her down. This time around, she’s ably backed by Ali Larter (“Heroes”) and singer/actress Ashanti.

Resident Evil: Extinction, based on CAPCOM’s popular video game, contains action sequences that are nothing short of loud and lively. Some of the acting is amateurish, and yes, I do deduct points for the use of the all-too-familiar “human race eradicated by disease” device. But director Russell Mulcahy more than compensates with a fun delivery of that element into an intriguing story that grabs hold of the viewer, refusing to let go.

Grade: B

Resident Evil: Extinction is currently in theaters.