Dead Snow [DVD] [2009] [US Import]

Perhaps surprisingly, this very, very good film from Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola.

I say 'surprisingly' because a film about Nazi zombies sounds like it's going to be a jokey spoof type thing - either that or a fifth rate direct-to-rental disaster.

But Dead Snow is neither of these - it's a tightly scripted, well-acted no-nonsense zombie film.

Recommended.

Norwegian film makers get it. This is how to make a cool movie; balance the humor and horror, special effects that don't over power the movie, and most importantly: actors that care what they are doing and do it well!. The story revolves around a bunch of medical students getting away for some rest and relaxation during the Easter break. Unknown to them, they've set up camp at the absolute wrong place. Back in the day, evil Nazi's used these hills for an escape route or safe haven way back when, and it's said that this is where they supposedly holed up and eventually died. Well, they ain't all that dead. Our medical students eventually meet these blood-thirsty German maniacs and the red stuff starts flowing. A mad dash for survival ensues, and it all ends up being a 'hail' of a lot of fun, there's chainsaw action, decapitations, rope pulling with intestines, axe murders, machine gun concerts and disembowelment. The effects are top-notch in spite of the obvious budgetary restrictions, and the make up art on the zombies is very impressive. The rotting uniformed corpses look quite menacing, especially their leader. The snowy landscapes were beautiful picture to behold, although it's even more amusing to see the white snow color red with blood! Tommy Wirkola is a clearly talented director and hopefully a promising long career awaits him. The flick however isn't perfect as it suffers some from small horror clichés, like dumb decision making. But at the same time, they handle these clichés in a somewhat refreshing manner. Some cheap scare tactics are used early on to get you on edge, but those are barely used later on, when violence and creative gore take hold. Dead Snow really surprised me. I wasn't expecting such a fun flick and the characters were all well-fleshed out, the dialogue well-written and funny, the gore aplenty, the horror nods abundant and awesome (Braindead t-shirts?!), and even the score and soundtrack were good. This should become a pretty big hit for horror fans, well I hope so anyways.

I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to zombie films. It is only recently i have begun watching them, but i have seen enough to know that the majority of zombie films try not to be a horror, and more a tacky, cliche ridden gore fest. This film is extremely gory and does contain a few cliches, but it is extremely well done, and it manages to successfully create a tense atmosphere at some points. There are a few cheap scares, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat and keep you prepared!

Story:

The story is about a group of Norwegian medical students who go on an Easter vacation in the snowy mountains. One of the students decided to trek up there on her own, but when the other students get there, she still hasn't arrived... One night, a strange man visits the students and tells them of an evil that lives in the mountains, Nazis who were driven away by the locals at the end of WW2. This is probably the weakest part of the film, as when the Nazis start to attack, there is nothing explaining why they are actually zombies. They just seem to of somehow turned to zombies whilst living in the mountains. There was a perfect way to explain their origin when one of the students falls into a bunker/hideout, where he could of continued deeper in and maybe discovered some science experiment or something. At least some explanation of why they have turned to the undead. But this is a minor complaint, and easily overlooked.

Verdict:

I found this film thoroughly entertaining. The gore and death scenes are well over the top, the killing is brutal and the characters likable. Some of the deaths, especially Elronds, (which is inspired by Braindead... there are many other film references) are especially brutal and use great effects! The banter between the students is amusing, and some of the scenes are especially funny (a woman having sexual relations with a man after he has just finished "dropping his kids off at the pool", whilst he is still on the toilet is probably the funniest). All in all, a great film that entertains for an hour and a half!

Oh, and the opening scenes choice of music is amusing too!