Ever since the release of the first zombie movie in 1932, directors have used these movie monsters as a center point or side plot in hundreds to thousands of films. So, when Netflix and Zach Snyder put out a zombie flick called “Army of the Dead,” it didn’t exactly come as a surprise. But what if the zombies can think? What if they have a hierarchy and can form armies? And then, what if they’ve been quarantined in Vegas with a $200 million dollar stash ripe for the picking? Now we have the makings for an original zombie movie, and a great start to a new franchise. Right?
The movie begins with a montage illustrating the start of the infection in Vegas and how some managed to escape, including the star of the film, Scott Ward (Dave Bautista). We then cut to Ward flipping burgers when he is offered a chance to make millions. All he has to do is take a team inside zombie-filled Las Vegas to retrieve the $200 million. Since every dangerous mission needs a time constraint, they have to be out of Vegas before a nuke hits it in about a day. From there, Ward gets to work building his team of ragtag zombie killers. To Ward’s disdain, his daughter Kate (Ella Purnell) joins in at the last second to save a friend that went inside. Ward is against Kate coming, but she insists as she needs to save a friend.
In the city, we meet the most interesting characters of the film. First is the zombie tiger Valentine, a ferocious kitty left over from Siegfried and Roy’s famous act. Next is the zombie queen, chosen by the original zombie as his mate and thus ranking ruler in the undead hierarchy. And then, of course, the man himself, the zombie who started it all and who is capable of creating semi-intelligent undeceased to join his kingdom.
Of course, the zombies and our thieves end up making trouble for each other, all while certain betrayals make life much harder for everyone. Although the film starts off great, an insightful look into how the virus spread and what motivates our different protagonists – it mostly gets worse from there storywise. The film is so focused on advancing the plot that development for our living characters goes by the wayside. Sure, they gave Kate daddy issues to try and help this along, but it feels more like a lean into a trope than genuine. And while the CGI effects and makeup are well done and interesting to watch, there are a lot of gore and blood effects that mostly contribute to shock value and seem unnecessary.
Although “Army of the Dead” had some pitfalls, there are definitely high points and satisfying moments that make it worth a watch for zombie fans. And given that this movie intends to be the start of a franchise, there’s a good chance that the film series could improve over time now that the origin story is out of the way.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81046394
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/daze-of-the-dead/Content?oid=2274121
