As the walking dead fill the streets of Los Angeles, filmmakers John Solomon and Grace Lee turn their cameras on the misunderstood flesh-eaters, their fierce proponents, and their staunch opponents to offer a glimpse of just how society has changed in the wake of the zombie uprising. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Performances vary widely in quality. Some of the "experts" who expound on zombie culture are portrayed by such amateurish actors that the film threatens to collapse.
If Lee intended primarily to spoof documentary conventions, she should have chosen a theme less commercially overexposed -- and worked harder at making it more than just sorta-kinda humorous.
The mere fact that [director Grace] Lee can make both a media satire and, in the end, a creepy horror flick, while at least alluding to bigger social issues, suggests the breadth of her wit and intelligence.
Besides managing to be a statement on racism, a parody of a documentary, and an enjoyable character conflict between two egotistical directors, it's also a straight up zombie comedy!
It is essentially a one-joke premise and while it might have played beautifully as a 30-minute short subject, there just isn't enough to it to sustain itself as a 90-minute feature.
The best zombie movies shock us into a realization about ourselves and the world in which we live, but how much can zombies teach us when their world so closely resembles 1995?
The film satirizes well-intentioned socially conscious documentaries, examining how zombies have been integrated into the general population. It has a rewarding last half hour if the viewer can wait it out.
If you're looking for zombie horror, this is not the film for you (not enough gut-ripping and arm-chewing), but if you're looking for zombie fun, check it out.
Doesn't add much to the contemporary zombie genre or even the horror comedy genre but does provide light entertainment, especially if you like jokes about filmmaking.
Is it just me or is the whole mockumenatary thing wearing a little thin? This has a few enjoyable quirky moments but overall it never really takes flight. Starting from the top, I thought the concept was great, the acting was good, but the collective quality of the material never rises above 'passively interesting'.
May 3, 2009
Randy Tippy
Super Reviewer
This makes Land of the Dead look Like Diary of the Dead, which still isnt saying much.
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