Weeeellll, sheeit. We gots us a zombie-off, here! Based on a true story, at least as the opening credits state, we have ourselves a bit of a conundrum when also considering Night of the Living Dead. Can’t say I’ve watched any of the subsequential four(!) sequels to this, just seems too made-for-video to me. Maybe though, someday. But I don’t want to sully the awesomeness that is this!
Medical supply warehouse on the shabbier side of town. Trainin in the new guy, here’s the crutches, here’s the half-dogs, here’s the paperwork, blah blah blah. Freddy is just trying to do a good job for his uncle Frank while learning the ropes of Medical Warehouse Administration. Unfortunately for them, the warehouse tour takes a bit of a downer when an old military barrel in the basement goes poofy. The results are not good for all involved. And the graveyard next door that wasn’t involved. At least, not initially.
This is a great different take on the zombie genre. Going back to Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, which is directly referenced as the cause of this new plague outbreak, is kinda partly because of rights issues and more blah blah blah. Don’t care. This fork from the origination story is entertaining and horrific in its own right. Well, more gory than scary, really. While a totally a true story, as the opening credits imply, this is a slightly more black comedy take on the premise, in full 80s glory, for better or worse. Particularly great here is James Karen as Uncle Frank, plus the hot naked chick in the cemetery. I am but a simple man. Sue me. Great job here by director Dan O’Bannon, who also wrote the screenplay for the first Alien movie by Ridley Scott.
