Bullet Points: Zombie with a Shotgun
Sometimes you don’t pick the movie you review, the movie picks you. Hilton Ariel Ruiz’s Zombie with a Shotgun is one of those movies. The good news, it is now steaming on Amazon Video and Tubi. I’m now going to use my trusty bullet points to see if it is worth your time.
- The plot: A man and his girlfriend are on the run from bounty hunters, the police and government people. Also, the man might be a zombie. He hasn’t turned yet, but it sure looks like something is very wrong with him.
- Open the barn door: Do you remember early in The Walking Dead? When they spent 5,748,848 episodes waiting to open up the barn door? I remember being frustrated. I think this might happen when you watch Zombie with a Shotgun. It opens with a great shot. It sets up what should be an awesome action movie. However, instead of action, we get way too much talk. I do believe Braeden Baade’s Aaron Walker makes for a cool leading character. He absolutely looks badass holding a shotgun. He also has solid chemistry with his girlfriend, Kathryn Kuhn’s Rachael Young. Perhaps, you might care if they live or die.
- The action: The zombie makeup looks good. However, the gunplay reminded me of when you played clay shooting on Duck Hunt for the Nintendo. The CG is cringeworthy. I am not a fan of CG that looks faker than fake. The gun effects are almost unwatchable. This is a major problem if you name your movie Zombie with a Shotgun. Aaron looks the part when he is holding the shotgun, but the action never gets the chance to deliver. I blame the budget and pacing issues.
- The acting: One scene I still can’t get out of my head is when Rachael is remembering her last day with her Dad. This is bad, like Tommy Wiseau at the end of The Room bad. The Dad deserves an Overacting Oscar. When the movie focuses on Aaron and Rachael trying to stay alive, it is watchable. When it gets too wordy, I can easily see the viewer losing interest, and perhaps, checking out all together.
- The conclusion: I’m not one to bash movies. I find the good in everything I watch. Zombie with a Shotgun starts and ends on a high note, and perhaps, with a little bit more budget, the sequel could be watchable.
Time for some Bonus Bullet Points…
- Animation: I was surprised at the animation scene. I didn’t expect it, and it did look pretty good.
- Sexy Sex: You can have sex with a zombie and not get infected, yet the zombie can bite you, and you instantly turn. Sex does not equal death in Zombie with a Shotgun.
- Not to be confused with: Zombie Wars, A Zombie Exorcism, The Zombinator and Rockabilly Zombie Weekend. All of these movies can be found on Tubi.
