By Anne Brodie Sep 3, 2006, 4:54 GMT
Atomic space particles blast onto the earth bringing the dead back to life.
Sounds good, but the dead are flesh crazed. They need fresh human meat to stay ‘alive’. And each human they kill and eat becomes one of them.
This ages-old horror myth (?) takes on new and hilarious turns in Andrew Curries’ satirical, warm hearted horror movie.
Its the fifties and anti-Zombie security measures are well in place in small town British Columbia. The houses and gardens are in spic and span shape, the women are beautifully accessorized, neat, and tidy, the men are dressed uniformly in suits.
What a perfect picture!
But those grey looking people mowing the lawns, serving drinks, greeting folks at the mall are zombies.
Zomcon the local industry has fitted the zombies with special neck braces rendering them subservient. But if the brace fails, look out, they revert to their bloody ways.
Schoolchildren are trained to fire at Zombie’s heads, and emergency buttons bring help if an undead turns bad. Anne Moss plays Mrs. Robinson and her boy Timmy is thrilled when hey get their own Zombie servant (Billy Connolly) whom Timmy names Fido.
Connelly is restrained, horrific but warm and loving a kind of father / dog figure for Timmy. ‘Here, boy, fetch!’
The film is packed with wit, wonder, hilarity and tenderness. It is unique in the horror cannon and gets my vote as the audience favorite at this year’s TIFF.
Opening Film Canada First! At TIFF, Thursday Sept. 7, 9:15 pm – Ryerson Theatre
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