Milla Jovovich returns as Alice in Resident Evil: Retribution - the fifth in the franchise.

Continuing her fight against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead, she plays a zombie-fighting housewife, who may or may not have had her memories altered.

The video game inspired film premiered in Los Angeles this week.

Jovovich says female roles are evolving: 'I think it's incredible, if you really look even 15 years ago, it was so difficult for women in films to kick butt, to be the strong female action heroes that really are the leads of a film. Normally girls are delegated to girlfriend roles, the girl next door, whatever it is. I'm so happy that with this series, we're really able to put females in the forefront.'

Sienna Guillory is back as Jill Valentine, who last appeared in the second Resident Evil.

Jovovich's husband British filmmaker Paul WS Anderson directed. It was his third Resident Evil movie.

He said: 'I love beautiful women kicking butt; I think it's the best thing. I've always made movies that have strong female characters. I'm from the north of England, filled with strong female characters including my mother, I've always liked it and I think audiences increasingly respond to it. For guys it's sexy and for women it's really empowering to show some girl power.'

Resident Evil: Retribution opens.