 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AAAH! ZOMBIES!!
A.K.A. WASTING AWAY
* * * (2007, 91 minutes, Unrated)
Young Zombies In Love
Here’s something I never thought I’d write about a zombie movie: This is a very pleasant film.
Of course, if you think about the genre, there should be nothing pleasant about it. Most zombie
films are set in a time where civilization is collapsing (or has just collapsed) and survivors are
doing everything they can to make it to the next day -- often failing. This is even true of zombie films
one might describe as a “horror comedy.” The last half hour of the brilliant and hilarious Shaun of
the Dead is thick with dread. And while the tone of Zombieland is much lighter, it is an intensely
gory film. Nothing anyone would ever call “pleasant.”
A.K.A. WASTING AWAY
* * * (2007, 91 minutes, Unrated)
Young Zombies In Love
Here’s something I never thought I’d write about a zombie movie: This is a very pleasant film.
Of course, if you think about the genre, there should be nothing pleasant about it. Most zombie
films are set in a time where civilization is collapsing (or has just collapsed) and survivors are
doing everything they can to make it to the next day -- often failing. This is even true of zombie films
one might describe as a “horror comedy.” The last half hour of the brilliant and hilarious Shaun of
the Dead is thick with dread. And while the tone of Zombieland is much lighter, it is an intensely
gory film. Nothing anyone would ever call “pleasant.”
 |
And yet, here we are with the very pleasant Aaah! Zombies!!, which appears to have been a bit of a
darling in the film festival circuit. The twist on this zombie film is that we see things from the
perspective of the zombies, a concept that could have stunk the joint up but works out just fine.
We open cold with black-and-white footage of a soldier being tested with a biochemical serum.
This being a zombie movie, it turns out exactly as well as you’d expect. One barrel of spilled
zombie serum later, we meet the gang that works and/or hangs out at the local bowling alley.
They're pretty standard archetypes: the Shy & Responsible Guy, the Cute Girl he’s had a crush on
forever, his Too Cool Joker Buddy and the Go-Getter Vixen. The Too Cool Joker Buddy fixes up a
batch of zombilicious soft serve for the gang, they start groaning in pain and… suddenly we’re in
color.
Here’s where the film becomes unexpectedly clever: In this color world, our friends feel a bit off --
hungry for something they can’t put their finger on -- but are otherwise fine. That’s how they see
themselves. Back in the black-and-white world, the “real world,” we see them for exactly what they
now are: zombies.
This leads to some good stuff, as our gang wanders around town, trying to figure out why their cell
phones make a horrible racket, why everyone runs away from them and why they now have
incredible strength. They soon meet up with the soldier from the opening, one “Nick Steele, USAF,”
who sheds a little (very little) light on the matter.
That leads to a pretty cool fight scene from the zombies’ point of view. The humans zip around
quickly and chatter as it set to the wrong turntable speed. A shotgun blast to the chest knocks Shy
Guy down but only stings, and with their enhanced strength, our gang soon beats up an entire bar
full of people. This leads our heroes to the only conclusion they can reach: The chemical spill
turned them into super-soldiers and infected everyone else.
darling in the film festival circuit. The twist on this zombie film is that we see things from the
perspective of the zombies, a concept that could have stunk the joint up but works out just fine.
We open cold with black-and-white footage of a soldier being tested with a biochemical serum.
This being a zombie movie, it turns out exactly as well as you’d expect. One barrel of spilled
zombie serum later, we meet the gang that works and/or hangs out at the local bowling alley.
They're pretty standard archetypes: the Shy & Responsible Guy, the Cute Girl he’s had a crush on
forever, his Too Cool Joker Buddy and the Go-Getter Vixen. The Too Cool Joker Buddy fixes up a
batch of zombilicious soft serve for the gang, they start groaning in pain and… suddenly we’re in
color.
Here’s where the film becomes unexpectedly clever: In this color world, our friends feel a bit off --
hungry for something they can’t put their finger on -- but are otherwise fine. That’s how they see
themselves. Back in the black-and-white world, the “real world,” we see them for exactly what they
now are: zombies.
This leads to some good stuff, as our gang wanders around town, trying to figure out why their cell
phones make a horrible racket, why everyone runs away from them and why they now have
incredible strength. They soon meet up with the soldier from the opening, one “Nick Steele, USAF,”
who sheds a little (very little) light on the matter.
That leads to a pretty cool fight scene from the zombies’ point of view. The humans zip around
quickly and chatter as it set to the wrong turntable speed. A shotgun blast to the chest knocks Shy
Guy down but only stings, and with their enhanced strength, our gang soon beats up an entire bar
full of people. This leads our heroes to the only conclusion they can reach: The chemical spill
turned them into super-soldiers and infected everyone else.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Most zombie movies are clearly marked for upcoming unpleasantness. |
| Tainted soft serve often makes us feel like this, too. |
Strangely, no one things much of it when the Too Cool Joker Guy starts making himself brain
margaritas and tacos stuffed with human flesh.
I know, that sounds pretty nasty. But whether it be the budget constraints of the film or just the
direction the filmmakers chose, nothing is ever as gory as it could (or should) be. This pack of
zombies spends its time retreating rather than swarming and eating brains. The goriest parts are
reserved for when our heroes lose body parts, and even that’s taken humorously. And because
we spend most of our time with gang in ColorVision, we don’t even see them as zombies all that
often.
Put it this way: One of the highlights of the film has our guys bowling for the honor of one of the
gals. How often do you see that?
So, yeah, Aaah! Zombies!! is a pleasant little film, and in a genre that’s become known for having a
different take on the genre, it works. Not sure if it’s a must-see for zombie fans, but maybe a good
gateway film for those who find the intensity of most zombie movies a bit daunting.
margaritas and tacos stuffed with human flesh.
I know, that sounds pretty nasty. But whether it be the budget constraints of the film or just the
direction the filmmakers chose, nothing is ever as gory as it could (or should) be. This pack of
zombies spends its time retreating rather than swarming and eating brains. The goriest parts are
reserved for when our heroes lose body parts, and even that’s taken humorously. And because
we spend most of our time with gang in ColorVision, we don’t even see them as zombies all that
often.
Put it this way: One of the highlights of the film has our guys bowling for the honor of one of the
gals. How often do you see that?
So, yeah, Aaah! Zombies!! is a pleasant little film, and in a genre that’s become known for having a
different take on the genre, it works. Not sure if it’s a must-see for zombie fans, but maybe a good
gateway film for those who find the intensity of most zombie movies a bit daunting.
This review of Aaah! Zombies!! comes to you courtesy of a Reader
Recommendation.
Recommendation.
| '12 Binnie Winner! |