BIO ZOMBIE
* * * * (1998, 90 minutes, Unrated)
All hail the zom-com!
If the finest film of the 21st century, Shaun of the Dead, is a romantic comedy with zombies,
then this film plays like Mallrats with zombies.
I mean that as a complement.
In fact, the first chunk of the film plays like the Hong Kong version of Mallrats. Our Dudely Duo of
slackers -- Woody Invincible and his shaggy sidekick, Crazy Bee -- work at a VCD shop in an
underground mall, where they try to pawn off illegal copies of movies. They spend their days
kicking around the mall, harassing people, hitting on girls and doing whatever their boss tells
them to do. Even their banter is ViewAskew-ish -- or at least is it if you set the DVD to display
"Engrish Subtitles," which is indeed a separate setting than the standard English subtitles. I
highly recommend the "Engrish Subtitles," otherwise you'll miss out on such gems as "I have to
go stool now" and "I want to try your mouth."
On their way back from picking up the boss's car, our Dudely Duo run over a biochemical officer
fleeing a covert exchange gone bad. Mistaking his warning for thirst, our duo feed Capt.
RoadPizza some of the "soft drink" that was in his attaché case and... do I really need to spell it
out for you?
Okay, so "zombies in the mall." Seems like that's been done a million times. What's the big
deal about this one?
The tone. Except for the final portion of the film, when the movie heads in a darker (and
completely appropriate) direction, this is a zombie comedy that puts the emphasis on the
comedy. Don't worry, there are still buckets of gore for you to enjoy, but we're also treated to
some classic shots to the crotch, finger sushi and some cheesy "zombie vision." I couldn't help
but notice that the zombies in the background seemed to be doing funny walks, almost
mocking the creatures from the Thriller video. And there's a fun moment leading up to the final
confrontation where we get stats on all of the remaining characters, as if choosing characters
for a fighting video game. You can check that out around the 0:45 of the trailer:
* * * * (1998, 90 minutes, Unrated)
All hail the zom-com!
If the finest film of the 21st century, Shaun of the Dead, is a romantic comedy with zombies,
then this film plays like Mallrats with zombies.
I mean that as a complement.
In fact, the first chunk of the film plays like the Hong Kong version of Mallrats. Our Dudely Duo of
slackers -- Woody Invincible and his shaggy sidekick, Crazy Bee -- work at a VCD shop in an
underground mall, where they try to pawn off illegal copies of movies. They spend their days
kicking around the mall, harassing people, hitting on girls and doing whatever their boss tells
them to do. Even their banter is ViewAskew-ish -- or at least is it if you set the DVD to display
"Engrish Subtitles," which is indeed a separate setting than the standard English subtitles. I
highly recommend the "Engrish Subtitles," otherwise you'll miss out on such gems as "I have to
go stool now" and "I want to try your mouth."
On their way back from picking up the boss's car, our Dudely Duo run over a biochemical officer
fleeing a covert exchange gone bad. Mistaking his warning for thirst, our duo feed Capt.
RoadPizza some of the "soft drink" that was in his attaché case and... do I really need to spell it
out for you?
Okay, so "zombies in the mall." Seems like that's been done a million times. What's the big
deal about this one?
The tone. Except for the final portion of the film, when the movie heads in a darker (and
completely appropriate) direction, this is a zombie comedy that puts the emphasis on the
comedy. Don't worry, there are still buckets of gore for you to enjoy, but we're also treated to
some classic shots to the crotch, finger sushi and some cheesy "zombie vision." I couldn't help
but notice that the zombies in the background seemed to be doing funny walks, almost
mocking the creatures from the Thriller video. And there's a fun moment leading up to the final
confrontation where we get stats on all of the remaining characters, as if choosing characters
for a fighting video game. You can check that out around the 0:45 of the trailer:
Just in case you're wondering, here are my zombie-fighting stats:
In short, this is a fun zombie movie -- more enjoyable than another hyped zom-com I recently
reviewed. The movie moves at a brisk pace, makes great use of its labyrinth-like mall setting
and even offers up a few unexpected -- and unexpectedly moving -- moments. I'd even go so far
as to say that this movie is almost too good for the Bargain Bin Review.
Almost.
reviewed. The movie moves at a brisk pace, makes great use of its labyrinth-like mall setting
and even offers up a few unexpected -- and unexpectedly moving -- moments. I'd even go so far
as to say that this movie is almost too good for the Bargain Bin Review.
Almost.
| '09 Binnie Winner! |
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Name: NOLAHN Weapons: CROQUET MALLET, BITING SARCASM, UTTER LACK OF SHAME Power: 260 Sex Drive: 180 Sign: PISCES Idol: RICHARD DAWSON |