In times where there is a overflow of Zombie and Vampire related stories, to make a ‘Cannibal’ aka Zombie genre film , it has to be spectacular. In fact in most cases, it has to be so good fans flock to see the epic of innovation. Latest release from Writer/Director Francesco Picone (Io soon mortar 2012, Martyn 2013) and produced by Uwe Boll (House of the Dead 2003, Alone in the Dark 2005) , Anger of the Dead, is sadly neither. Adapted from a short film Picone did in 2013, this is Picone’s first full feature film. Released via Uncork’d Entertainment on January 8th in theaters and VOD, Anger of the Dead tells the story of Alice (Roberta Sparta: Ciao Marcello 2014, Sex and the Single Alien 2015), a young wife, and mother. At the beginning of the film, Alice discovers she is pregnant moments before her husband, who works in the city, calls to warn her to stay home, something terrible has happened.
- Still from Anger of the Dead
Alice then hears a news report that some sort of disease has broken out, turning people into cannibals. Someone knocks on the door and it is an infected person. Alice has to think quickly to save her and her daughter, which she fails at. Following this horrific event, Alice flees the apartment to try and reach her husband. She runs into a man named Stephen (Marius Bizau: Sinners: Which one is You? 2013, Judith 2014), in a similar position, who informs her the entire city has been destroyed and there is nothing left.
- Still from Anger of the Dead
Four months later, while hiding with Stephen, Alice’s pregnancy has progressed. They continue to meet survivors and battle Zombies, all in the search of a mysterious virus free island. During this process they discover the existence of a mysterious young girl, Allie (Chaira Paoli: Sorelle 2013, Il ritornello 2014) , who a mad doctor, Rooker (Aaron Stielstra: The Mona Lisa Myth 2014, Zombie Massacre 2: Reich of the Dead 2015), seems determined to torture. Alice saves her, and they fight the doctor and his goons, plus the zombies, only to find the end has more in store for them. They enter a life and death battle with yet another enemy, this one human.
The biggest problem with Anger of the Dead is its complete lack of originality, and unrealistic character reactions. If the viewer makes it past the first scene where Alice effectively watches her daughter be killed then hides, things do not get much better. Only four months after losing said daughter and her husband, she is in a serious relationship with Steven. The entire story is made up of coincidences that have been done literally to death. The bottom line, Horror fans want new and exciting, not tired and mundane.
To name the female protagonist Alice in an otherwise Zombie film also detracts from the stories own value. A complete cliche, verging on insipid, offering nothing new at all. The cinematography adds a small highlight to the film, keeping up with the frantic action pace. Then there are the special effects where are mildly effective, but the dialogue stiff, the acting marginally better, and its chunky storyline makes it a waste of time for serious Horror fans looking to be thrilled and excited. Although, those looking for just a couple hours to kill, who adore anything zombie related, should make their own judgement. CrypticRock gives Anger of the Dead 1.5 out of 5 stars.
- Uncork’d Entertainment
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