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Overall Rating : 6/10
Directed By : Patrick Dinhut
Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (TV) )
Guy Torry (American History X)
Susan Ward (Wild Things 2)
Peter Greene (Blue Streak)
Supplied By : Anchor Bay Entertainment
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Apr. 6, 2007
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| PLOT After he's bitten by a scorpion-like insect carrying a zombie virus, a tough soldier survives the infection, becoming only half zombie. Once back in the US, he finds himself fighting his former comrades in arms, all of whom are turning into zombies! |
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| THE REVIEW In DEAD AND DEADER a zombie outbreak overturns a US Military base when a group of personnel is shipped back from a failed mission in Cambodia and they are all pronounced dead. It seems that they have all when infiltrated by a deadly breed of insect that seems to carry a flesh eating virus - once those nasty bugs reach a victims heart, they become flesh eating zombies, who are just hungry for raw meat. Among the fallen Soldiers was Lt. Bobby Quinn, whom was also pronounced dead by authorities, but once one the morgue table it appears he is still alive, as he continues to question examiners as to what is going on. With no pulse nor heart-rate, Quinn surely is dead, but coherent actions would prove otherwise. Bobby senses the insect inside of him and abruptly extracts it - which would explain his in between state, he killed the insect before it had to reach his heart. Bobby Quinn eventually chimes into hero mode to try to save the rest of his squad - but when he sees that they have all been infected and the plague is now spreading...he finds himself in a fight against them. He is later joined by the wise-cracking Military cook, Hieronymous Judson and a cute bartender named Holly, who happens to be a film buff. The three of them, which were acquainted purely by accident, decide to team up together to rid of horde of Zombies before the infection take over the world. A few months back, I remember DEAD AND DEADER being aired on the Sci-Fi Channel, knowing that I will probably be reviewing the films on or around their DVD releases, I usually just wait off on seeing them until then. Well now I have finally had the chance to see this, and yes prior to doing so my expectations were moderate, know that almost everything aired on the said channel is usually mediocre at best. Well with DEAD AND DEADER I was actually pleasantly surprised with it. Coming from Mark Altman the writer of such films as the HOUSE OF THE DEAD films and THE DARKROOM, I am now used to the types of films he goes for, and seeing that this is another zombie flick, i'd hoped that it would at least be better than the original HOUSE OF THE DEAD - and in my opinion it was. Honestly when it comes to zombie films, I am not that much of a die-hard fan, and with so many coming out as of late... well it hasn't exactly helped me to like them more than I do. In the slew of them there have been some pretty good ones(I even liked the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake), but then there are some that are so bad that they just make you want to throw in the towel on the modern zombie genre all together(monstrosities like DEAD LIFE or boring efforts like UNDEAD). With that said I saw DEAD AND DEADER as being more of a buddy-comedy with Horror elements, rather than a flat out Horror film. There's nothing like decapitating a zombie with a celling fan while cracking a joke about "Supercuts" as does Guy Torry's character of Judson. There are plenty of funny moments such as the characters at one time disguising themselves in Don Johnson, Madonna and Michael Jackson like garb. But besides the humor that really seems to keep the film on a steady pace - there also action to be seen. The action scenes, although on the cheesy side, were actually fun to watch for the gore alone, which was actually decent. The film ends on a note that would suggest that there will be a sequel, or I even read somewhere that it could become a Television series. I wouldn't be opposed to either, but I just don't see a series happening. The three main character's are extremely likeable - I have always thought Dean Cain was a decent actor although he seems a bit typecast most of the time. Susan Ward whom I understand was a popular figure on the short-lived Soap Opera, SUNSET BEACH shows that she is more than just a pretty face, she is talented and I really enjoyed her character of Holly whom would often spout out various movie references along the way. But to me the most entertaining character here is Judson, played by Guy Torry. I had only seen Guy Torry a few times prior to this, but never really noticed him. In DEAD AND DEADER he has an opportunity to stand out, and display just how talented he is.... this guy is really funny... in other words, i'd like to see a sequel but only if these three would be reprising their roles. |
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| GORE
METER 4.5/10 We have decapitations by celling fan, arms ripped off, as well as fingers and more. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 2.5/10 The score alternates from Army-like themes to rock and later, ambiance, there is really no balance |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM DEAD AND DEADER is one of Mark A. Altman's better written and produced projects I enjoyed it mostly for it's comedy and not the Horror - which is basically nothing fresh or original. But if you are looking for something to help kill some time, this film is pretty fun to watch... This DVD will be released April 10, 2007 |
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