“Send… more… paramedics.”
Zombie- Return of the Living Dead
Low budget horror films are a dime a dozen. When cameras became more accessible and the internet blew up, everyone began making movies. Some of these creators have gone on to have great success. Kevin Smith is a prime example of this. He made Clerks on his own and became a household name. Dance of the Dead may not be Clerks, but it’s a fun, zany romp.
The IMDb plot summary reads like this: “It is prom night in middle America. Tuxes have been rented, and dresses have been bought. But when the dead unexpectedly rises from their graves to eat the living, it’s up to the geeks, the nerds, the outcast, and the losers who couldn’t get dates to the dance to save the town from the undead. Unlikely heroes will rise to the challenge as they are forced to put aside their differences and band together to fight for their lives. Armed with bats, sledgehammers, garden tools, and guitars, this rag-tag group of high-school teens are in for a prom night they will never forget.”
Director Gregg Bishop and writer Joe Ballarini have crafted pretty slick horror-comedy. The direction is unique and thoughtful. Having a shoestring budget forces the best out of directors, and that is the case here. The practical effects are amazing, but the CGI is exactly what you would imagine with a low budget film. Ballarini’s script is hilarious. He mixes teenage angst and horror masterfully. Sam Rami’s production company bought the rights to this because he loved it so much.
The cast is filled with a bunch of no-names, but you might recognize Justin Welborn, who plays Kyle. He’s been in a ton of stuff and had a reoccurring roll-on Justified. Even though most of the cast are first-time actors, they do great. Jared Kusnitz is the lead, but the film takes a while to get to him. He’s definitely the best actor outside of Welborn.
The horror elements are decent but don’t really get going until the film is almost over. There are a few scenes that ratchet up the tension to a blood boiling level. The death scenes are very inventive, and even though there aren’t many of them, the crew makes the most of what is on screen. One of the best parts of this movie is an unhinged coach played by Mark Oliver. He’s a gun-toting psychopath, but when the dead are rising, that is just what you need.
The most impressive thing about Dance of the Dead is that almost everyone involved had never made a film. Gregg Bishop and Joe Ballarini have never made anything of note since Dance of the Dead, which is a shame. Ballarini’s script is hilarious and fun. Bishop’s direction is confident and very creative. The young cast did a marvelous job as well. Dance of the Dead is 1 part John Hughes and 2 parts George A. Romero. A combo you didn’t know you wanted or needed.
