Many zombie fans will be quick to compare David J. Francis and Mike Masters’ mock documentary set amidst the zombie apocalypse to “Diary of the Dead.” Truth be told, I was prepared to consider it a knock off during the first twenty minutes, but that would be a disservice to “Reel Zombies.” Directors Francis and Masters don’t offer any pretension about their film and are pretty straight forward in its premise and how they’re not even remotely trying to offer social commentary. There’s no message about racism, or sexuality, or the government, it’s just a straight forward horror comedy. “Reel Zombies” won’t be accused of re-inventing the wheel, but even with its flaws, it’s a damn good horror comedy.
Directors Masters and Francis play themselves as filmmakers anxious to complete the third film in their low budget zombie film trilogy. The problem is that the dead have begun to actually creep up and the world is doomed to an apocalypse. Determined, the pair of filmmakers decide to take advantage of the opportunity, and begin wrangling actual zombies to help them complete their final film. While the premise does reach for some sense of logic behind the concept, Francis and Masters try hard to convince audiences why these filmmakers would film a movie during a zombie apocalypse. There’s a long scene where our filmmakers explain that when the apocalypse passes, they can sell the film and bring in audiences much in the way 9/11 bred a slew of films about the horrible day. It’s still a reach, but it’s easily forgiven considering how good the film is.
As zombies begin lurking around, the filmmakers spend their days scouting locations, and calling in actors, all the while recruiting people to catch the zombies to be used for the film shoot. Along the way, events become ever more harrowing as the film shoots are interrupted, and the cast soon realize that this apocalypse may not pass any time soon. There are even a few creepy moments involving a boarding room meeting that ends in a zombie slaughter, and an odd sub-plot involving a crew member who bonds with a zombie. The directors also know how to deliver a bonafide zombie film when they’ve dropped all the meta humor. There’s an especially creepy massacre during a staged concert that ends in a horrible blood bath, and the climax reaches pure chaotic proportions that I quite loved.
While the comedy doesn’t always land where it’s intended to, the film can spark some giggles, including a suicide that goes horribly wrong, and two actresses arguing on why the zombies have more food than the cast. The film definitely has its flaws, though, with occasionally meandering character arcs. The plot also drifts from its meta-premise mid-way and feels like a full on look at indie filmmakers trying to complete a zombie film, with no mention of the apocalypse for an extended period of time. There’s also never a clear indication of what’s running through their minds. Are they psychopaths willing to sacrifice lives for their art, or are they just oblivious to how dire the zombie apocalypse is? Also you figure these men being filmmakers, they’d know how to steady a damn camera every once in a while.
That said, “Reel Zombies” is a very good indie zombie comedy worth checking out if only because the filmmakers have a novel idea that doesn’t attempt to do anything but entertain and pay homage to the zombie sub-genre.
The Special Edition from Synapse features forty two minutes of deleted and extended scenes, as well as a commentary with Director Masters, co-director David J. Francis, and producer Papadimitriou, all of whom star in the film. Their commentary is interesting and insightful in filming with low budgets, and how they worked on their horror comedy.