The Movie Like Resident Evil That Zombie Fans Need To See

Horror fans come to the Paul W.S. Anderson "Resident Evil" movies for two things: Milla Jovovich in buck wild outfits, and strong art direction. There are also lasers and zombies and occasional fleeting references to the video games, but it's mostly about Jovovich's highly impractical (yet stylish) zombie-killing looks.

The first film, "Resident Evil," kicked off the franchise in 2002. In addition to Jovovich, the movie featured Eric Mabius of "The L Word," James Purefoy of "The Following," Colin Salmon off a run of "James Bond" flicks, and Michelle Rodriguez as yet another tough chick who gets killed off. Horror fans love the film for many of its extreme thrill and gore moments, such as the laser hallway scene and the zombie dog fight, all of which are enhanced by the aesthetics of Jovovich's red dress and the references to "Alice in Wonderland."

Nothing can outmatch "Resident Evil" for camp value, but 2006 Canadian horror-comedy "Fido" makes a pretty good attempt.

"Fido" is less action-oriented than "Resident Evil," but it is beautifully shot and art directed, with colors reminiscent of "Edward Scissorhands." The film is set in a post-zombie-apocalypse suburb where 1950s Americana bumps up against hordes of the undead. Zombies have been given behavior-altering collars that stop them from acting violently, and they've become household appliances like dishwashers or riding lawnmowers. Billy Connolly, of "The Boondock Saints" and "Muppet Treasure Island" fame, stars as the titular Fido. Fido is issued to the Robinsons, and their son Timmy is instantly smitten with the zombie as if he's a new puppy. However, Fido eventually gets off-leash and starts a mini zombiegeddon in the Robinsons' small town.

"Fido" stars some of the best character actors in the biz. Besides Connolly, the film features "Matrix" heroine Carrie-Anne Moss, Coen Bros. collaborator Tim Blake Nelson, veteran schemer Henry Czerny ("Ready or Not"), and go-to uptight stuffed shirt Dylan Baker ("Happiness"). And it ultimately has an oddly uplifting message for a zombie movie: There's no such thing as a perfect family.