DVD Review: Dance of the Dead
Dance of the Dead (2008)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: October 14, 2008
Directed By: Gregg Bishop
Cast: Jared Kusnitz, Chandler Darby, Greyson Chadwick, Justin Welborn, Carissa Capobianco
Deadly DVD Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Review By: George Newton
Did you ever think The Breakfast Club would be improved if Judd Nelson ripped a chunk out of Ally Sheedy’s neck? Or wonder what would happen if Molly Ringwald stuck her sixteen candles into Anthony Michael Hall’s eyes? If so, I have the film for you. One that combines teen angst and violence that we all love, that keeps you both laughing and screaming for most of its running time.
In my last review I complained about a movie that spent an hour on setup and had only twenty five minutes of action. Dance of the Dead flips this around. After quickly introducing the characters, the zombie fighting begins. While other films are setting up conflicts, this one is sending limbs flying. In new and exciting ways.
High school is the closest many of us get to being in a horror movies. Surrounded by young monsters trying to hurt us out of sport or ignorance. And older monsters trying to crush you with the idea that high school is the best time you will ever have. Aren’t the best moments in life when you have the freedom to think for yourself and follow your own path? This subtext keeps the film interesting while never over shadowing the action.
One of the reason this film is such a delight is how unexpected it is. The bully character and geeks have more depth than expected. Zombie love is shown to not only be disgusting but touching. The devil’s music will be shown to have unexpected benefits. And the comic relief will be allowed to be heroes.
It seems easy to make a goofy fun horror movie. That’s why it is so surprising when many fail. Dance of the Dead doesn’t have this problem. It’s not perfect, but you will have a great time watching it. If high school was as fun as this movie none of us would want to leave. For an unexpected treat check out Dance of The Dead.
View Trailer Here:
