Zombie ArmageddonBy Randy Anderson
There is a certain type of horror movie fan that loves zombie movies. I recently saw the grand daddy of them all, “Night of the Living Dead,” so I was primed to see the new Ford brothers film “The Dead.” Zombies are a great metaphor for a number of the planet’s ills, like overpopulation, dependence on technology, or our own animal nature just waiting for a chance to wreak havoc.
“The Dead” has a different twist to the basic plot; the entire story takes place in Africa; Burkina Faso, West Africa, and Ghana to be exact. Using 35mm film, the texture and beauty of these desolate landscapes is a major character in the film. The script is minimal and we viewers are tossed in to a zombified landscape with no preparation. A plane loaded with American military personal and civilians takes off, but some on board are infected and in the struggle the plane crashes in the ocean. One man, Lt. Brian Murphy (Canadian actor Rob Freeman) makes it ashore. With his steely blue eyes and quiet determination this American looks the part of someone with the skills and brains to get through this hell on earth. Why Hell? As he crawls onto the beach the un-dead are staggering his way. These zombies have light grey eyes and like to feed on anything that is moving. With one narrow escape after another Murphy gets a light truck running and meets up with soldier Sgt. Daniel Dembele (Prince David Osei).
The two unlikely partners are trying to get to their families and that basic urge is what powers them through a bleak world with thin West Africans shambling on with dead eyes and an unceasing hunger for living flesh. This isn’t your average zombie flick; there is no humor that has become a part of the genre, at least in America. There is nothing to remind one of civilization, nothing but trees, brush and rock. Little conversation and a continent of enemies makes for a long 105 minutes, there is bloody zombie violence and some grisly close ups. Not for the faint of heart.
There is a certain type of horror movie fan that loves zombie movies. I recently saw the grand daddy of them all, “Night of the Living Dead,” so I was primed to see the new Ford brothers film “The Dead.” Zombies are a great metaphor for a number of the planet’s ills, like overpopulation, dependence on technology, or our own animal nature just waiting for a chance to wreak havoc.
“The Dead” has a different twist to the basic plot; the entire story takes place in Africa; Burkina Faso, West Africa, and Ghana to be exact. Using 35mm film, the texture and beauty of these desolate landscapes is a major character in the film. The script is minimal and we viewers are tossed in to a zombified landscape with no preparation. A plane loaded with American military personal and civilians takes off, but some on board are infected and in the struggle the plane crashes in the ocean. One man, Lt. Brian Murphy (Canadian actor Rob Freeman) makes it ashore. With his steely blue eyes and quiet determination this American looks the part of someone with the skills and brains to get through this hell on earth. Why Hell? As he crawls onto the beach the un-dead are staggering his way. These zombies have light grey eyes and like to feed on anything that is moving. With one narrow escape after another Murphy gets a light truck running and meets up with soldier Sgt. Daniel Dembele (Prince David Osei).
The two unlikely partners are trying to get to their families and that basic urge is what powers them through a bleak world with thin West Africans shambling on with dead eyes and an unceasing hunger for living flesh. This isn’t your average zombie flick; there is no humor that has become a part of the genre, at least in America. There is nothing to remind one of civilization, nothing but trees, brush and rock. Little conversation and a continent of enemies makes for a long 105 minutes, there is bloody zombie violence and some grisly close ups. Not for the faint of heart.
"The Dead" is now showing through Halloween night at the Santikos Bijou and Mayan Palace theatres.
