At first, I didn’t think I was watching the right movie. The DVD cover has an evil clown face on the front and has a full clown related synopsis on the back. I put the DVD in and I’m watching people in the desert being attacked by sand zombies. What? Apparently, the people who created the DVD cover and marketed the film neglected to mention that Scary or Die is an anthology movie, and instead went to heavily promote one of the short films inside. So, to any other person who may purchase or rent this movie in the future – Scary or Die is an anthology horror flick. You are watching the right movie!
Scary or Die is written and directed by Bob Badway and Michael Emmanuel, with Igor Meglic as well. The film has many fantastic performances from actors including Domiziano Arcangeli (Frankenstein Rising), Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), Bill Oberst Jr. (Abraham Lincoln vs. The Zombies), Andrew Caldwell (“How I Met Your Mother”), Alexandra Choi (Rush Hour 3), Charles Rahi Chun (“General Hospital”), Shannon Bobo (Bloody Mary 3D), and many many more!
Scary or Die was just ok, but here is its biggest downfall – some of the short films are leaps and bounds better than others. This leads for a lot of inconsistencies, especially in the style of film making. The sand zombie reveal in “The Crossing,” was cringeworthy and some shots in “Clowned” looked like they were done with a completely different camera. Elements like predictability and suspense are definitely a factor working against Scary or Die too. Everything is pretty predictable, I.E. “Taejung’s Lament,” and nothing, in all five shorts, had a lick of suspense in it.
Was there anything I did like besides the acting? Well, some of the plots were really interesting. I was really into “The Crossing,” and “Clowned,” until they fell way short. Sidenote: The Night of The Living Dead reference in “The Crossing” was genious. I liked Bill Oberst Jr., he is an incredible actor. And I liked how the girl’s friends just abandoned her in “Taejung’s Lament,” yet they were all best friends later – hysterical. That’s about it, but this was a Christmas present. So, hey, free movie.
This is how I’d rate each short film, in order: “Clowned,” “The Crossing,” “Taejung’s Lament,” “Lover Come Back,” and whatever that one with the cop was.
