Zombie comedies are truly a unique breed in horror, their own subgenre which sometimes amounts of gore, and silly moments of characters, there’s likely plenty of ad-lib and even improv depending on the cast and even the characters, however, just like horror comedies in general it is a fine line between comedy gold or dismal results. When one looks at this subgenre there are a few treasured classics, namely Shaun of the Dead [2004] or Zombieland [2009], and a few other shambled corpses milling around such as Doghouse [2009], Deadheads [2011] and Cockneys vs. Zombies [2012]; however all is not gold which brings us to director and screenwriter Drew Cullingham’s (A Vampire’s Tale [2009]) flick that contains ever so minor roles for Kane Hodder, Bill Moseley and a dreadfully lame part for the legendary horror icon Michael Berryman, whose film received distribution from Indican Pictures. Although we do need to dive a tad further before examining this flick, 2019 was an interesting year for Sheds used in a title there were three horror films, the other two The Shed and Shed, and this movie is not connected to either of those movies. Secondly, I think fair enough to say that the phrasing “of the dead” has fulfilled usage in the genre, thinking about al; the words which have proceeded it. Since 1960 for example Dawn, Day, Circus, Art, Platoon, Bunker, House, Prison, Spirit, City, Granny, Land and so many more it tallies over 120 titles, regardless if zombie or not, one wonders how many more could possibly be created, oh wait there’s Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead [2021].
It really starts with Trevor (Spencer Brown) a loner who meets a slacker who hangs out in a small garden shed with his best, and perhaps only friend, Graham (Ewen MacIntosh (Fubar [2018])), and plays fantasy board games, while enjoying his booze and working to avoid his wife Bobbi (Lauren Socha (Fanged Up [2017])); I know it does sound quite a lot like another zombie comedy previously mentioned. Trevor also has fantasies of grandeur, as a fearless warrior battle against enormous odds and reigning as a champion. Meanwhile, viewers get a glimpse of Kane Hodder (Charlie’s Farm [2014]) as Mr. Parson, a regular bloke, not a homicidal maniac, through an exchange with Trevor believes he’s committed a major no-no in respectable society. However, this problem finds itself overlooked a zombie apocalypse and has emerged and it’s consuming everything in its path, sadly the shed and all those gardening tools really don’t come much into play, as much as gorehounds want, meanwhile breaking the action in a pitiful manner is the fantasy themed moments that attempt to hone a bit of Army of Darkness [1992]. As chaos reigns Bobbi, and her goth friend Harriet (Emily Booth (Cradle of Fear [2001])) stay hold-up, though there’s an odd scene involving Derek (Michel Berryman (Smothered [2016])) who sadly is used worthless in the production, while Graham hungers his own bizarre fetish for her. Trevor’s imaginary world of slaying monsters carries over into reality who shows his skills in dealing with the undead.
There’s plenty of blood, guts, and gore, and this one is no different but the problem its not enough to move the story forward with conviction, which is really sad, because scenes start energetic and then merely fizzle by the end. One should also note the various genres, and styles find themselves incorporated into the storyline, which may affect one’s viewing pleasure, often its stated that the horror genre includes other elements into the story, for example a love interest between the leads makes the audience more compel to root for someone, there’s a dramatic chase or a thrilling suspense in the form of an escape in a dire situation. Nevertheless, there’s a limit on how much is reasonable to put into the movie, while telling the story in the straightest style possible, because of there are too many genres, winds-up in the mode of Tom Cruise’s The Mummy [2017].
Cullingham, obviously wanted to match his movie with Shaun of the Dead, however that wasn’t going to occur mainly due to the lack of originality, there’s plenty of kindle on the ground, some even smoldering fires, however, it never amounts to a raging blaze. All in all, the movie struggles to decide where it ideally seeks to go, that perhaps is due to the various changing of genres and a few plot holes, but also the squandered usage of the very talented Hodder, Moseley, and Merryman, leaving them on the sidelines never helps, the fans want the horror icons.
TAGLINE:
- An unlikely hero’s tale of blood, sweat, and shears!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3602422/
IMDb Rating: 4.9/10
Baron’s Rating: 4.5/10