One would think it would be difficult to mess up a movie sequel based on a video game franchise worth $600 million — especially one starring a hot Russian firecracker — kicking zombie ass.

One would think. Yet "Resident Evil" fails to redeem itself in the third, and unlikely last, installment. In fact, the series hits a new low, straying ever further from the video games' corny but character-driven tension.

"Extinction" follows Alice (Milla Jovovich, "Ultraviolet") as she tracks down Umbrella Corp. in pursuit of answers and revenge, while helping a convoy of survivors reach a pipe-dream haven in Alaska. The convoy shrinks in numbers as it slowly falls prey to the undead; meanwhile, Umbrella Corp. continues Project Alice, cloning and meta-tracking our venerable heroine.

Not much more can be said of the film, as "Extinction" is one drawn-out action sequence with no substance. Even worse, the action is never as entertaining as it is contrived. It's a slow-paced buildup to a missing climax, with at least 10 of its 95 minutes consisting of scenes of armored cars trudging through the desert from aerial cameras. When it's over, the only change is the death of a few bad guys and a few good guys.

Though watching Milla decimate zombies never grows old, her character motivation extends no further than coagulated bloodlust at being wrapped in the rags of a nomadic peddler with a disastrous haircut; i.e., no longer being the prettiest girl on camera. At least her makeup remains inexplicably flawless.

Aside from actress Ali Larter ("Heroes") and 10-year-old Madelin Carroll as the White Queen, the acting is as stiff as the CG zombies. It's actually laughably bad in several scenes. The characters are haphazardly killed or infected, but since there is absolutely no character development, there's no remorse for the dead or concern for the living.

Although it does incorporate a little more horror than the action-heavy second film, there are no genuine scares, only cheap jumps resulting from loud unexpected noises or zombies jumping into the camera's view. On the whole, "Extinction" largely remains an action movie and is as mindless as you would imagine shooting zombies in the head would be. As per the second film, there's an obligatory showdown with another mutated psycho, but it's as predictable as it is drab, and somehow worse than the one in "RE: Apocalypse."

Why doesn't writer Paul W.S. Anderson return to director's chair? Although he is not even a B-grade director, he at least knows how to make a film, unlike director of "RE: 2," Alexander Witt, with no prior experience, and new director Russel Mulcahy, best known for Culture Club music videos. The set's return to the mansion and the hive conjures memories of the first film, but fails to capture its essence; instead it just reminds us there was once a time when Resident Evil movies were only mildly bad.

With nothing to else to offer, the movie is saved from being a total disaster only by the inexplicable screen presence of Milla Jovovich. Typecast as a pretty, stoic face that can kick ass, it would be a pleasure to see her move on to better things that could display her ability as an actress instead of a slayer.

Despite its optimistic title, "Extinction" will not likely be the end of cheesy, fun-ruining movie adaptations. I shudder to think what biblical imagery will accompany the inevitable "RE: Rapture."

1 1/2 stars out of 5