Skippy's Movie Reviews, #10: Dead Alive
After mowing (chopping, hacking, slicing, what-have-you) through the
"Friday the 13th" series, these noble movie reviewers needed something
new...something different...but definitely not something tasteful. As
they had already seen the "Halloween" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"
series (reviews pending) they opted to check out the living dead films
next. As a sort of prequel, "Dead Alive" was chosen.
These reviewers were not disappointed. You could say that this film,
made in Australia by Australians, picks up where the "real" living
dead movies left off. You could also say that it's more over-the-top
than "Army of Darkness" or "From Dusk Till Dawn." But whatever you say,
it's a sure bet that this flick wins the award for most gore used in a
single production.
The plot is as simple as it is devilish. Decades ago, a stupid zoo official wanders into some misbegotten jungle. Against all advice and common sense, he recovers a rare monkey and tries to take it back to Australia. Well, it turns out that the monkey's claws and bite are worse than lethal. Singaya!
Some time later, young Lionel, his mother, and Paquita (who thinks she's in love with Lionel) must face the long-term ramifications of the monkey's bite...
Let's examine the principals here:
- the evil monkey: definitely the coolest character in the film
- Lionel: our hero
- Mum: the first of the living dead
- Paquita: loves Lionel, determined
- Fernando: Paquita's dog. Eaten by Mum.
- "Dorkins": ate pus-filled custard
- "Dorkin's" wife: president of the WFWF
- nurse: becomes the second of the living dead, head nearly severed, births the undead baby
- Paquita's mom: can see the future
- Uncle Les: Lionel's uncle, big fat bully
- the preacher: has karate power, kicks ass for the Lord
- undead baby: mischief-maker supreme
As you can see, a cast like this can only make for an entertaining film. We're gonna leave you with that, and the recommendation to see this movie.BEWARE: Don't be tricked into getting the R-rated version - go all out and get the unrated one. It's like 12 minutes longer, and that time is not wasted!
We give this flick a solid A.
There's also a cool review of this movie on the web.