The Zombie Diaries (2006): Reviewed by BRYAN SCHUESSLER
If you have read my blog before, you know that I am not a big fan of films shot on shaky cameras with unfocused shots, erratic movements, and angles that invoke nausea to the average human body.
Michael Bartlett and Kevin Gates directed and wrote another one of the “Real TV” type films, just like [REC], Quarantine, Cloverfield, , Diary of the Dead, and The Blair Witch Project, etc…
I will come out and say that I physically can only watch these films in increments of 30-45 minutes. My passion and dedication to the horror genre pushes me to watch them to the point of nausea and headaches until I need to take a break and continue watching the film after being refreshed by letting my eyes focus and dispelling my nausea. Now, I am open-minded in my reviews, just noting that I will never love these films because my body can’t handle the style of film-making.
Aside from the shoddy camera-work that was done intentionally for a desired effect, the film was more of the same. The zombies looked good. I liked the shots of the zombies and the make-up was believable and probably the best part of the whole film. It was shot in the UK and that may explain for the drab weather conditions that may have given the directors an advantage for the mood and tone of the film. I believe that the commentary that the film presents is that human-beings are always going to blow away the nastiness that any virus, phenomena, or epic tragedy that any type of science or apocalypse by higher powers can present.
The Zombie Diaries goes to show you how cruel, selfish and vulgar mankind truly can be. For fans of The Last House on the Left, Cannibal Holocaust, and any other film that presents mankind at its worst, you may enjoy this film, especially the ending. I will not spoil it for readers, as I always want fans of horror to see the film and develop their own opinion, but I will say that this film leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I felt their was more bark than bite. I really liked Cannibal Holocaust. My mouth was agape at the ending. I was just let down at the ending of The Zombie Diaries, and a little disgusted. I wonder if the makers of The Zombie Diaries just think that because one has a Mac and a digital camera that one is considered a filmmaker. I enjoyed [REC], even with all the nauseous camera shots and blurred footage, but The Zombie Diaries gave me just a taste of what it could have become, a total gorefest without predictable dialogue and characters. It seems that zombies and vampires are the “in-thing” as of late, but someone needs to make a zombie film that can go to bat with Romero’s trilogy and not strikeout.
I much would rather watch a bad zombie film than a good comedy, but that is me. On a positive note, there were a few scenes of gore that I enjoyed, but the boring scenes of boring dialogue just watered the whole production down. This film bit. Pun intended.
Dimension Extreme needs find some better films to distribute or nobody that has any taste is going to rent or buy their films. If only every film could be as original and gore-filled as Inside (À l’intérieur)(2007) was. Maybe the French aren’t so bad after all…
I agree the ending could have been a lot better.
go ahead and watch the movie if you want to waste 81 minutes of your pittifull life!!!
I agree that the movie had some really good special effects in the make up department. The story (if their was one) could have used a plot and action. It was very slow paced like the zombies.
I bought this movie for $9 at Walmart. I should be payed $9 just to have watched this waste of time. From the beginning of this millennium has been an onslaught of terrible, below even the earliest B-movie attempts at zombie greatness. The worst being that these horrible movies are plaguing our local movie rental facilities, such as blockbuster. My question is how can a movie of such low standards be represented and sold next to movies of any worth. My review of this movie is two severed thumbs down.
I don't understand how anyone can condone this movie unless to be seen for free or more reasonable paid to see it.
For all those who agree with me are those who really know their zombie movies. Those who think this movie is good or "great" should probably never have any input on any zombie movie to be made in the future.