According to stories passed down for generations, All Hallows’ Eve is when ghouls come out to play, monsters go bump in the night, and just about anything is possible. For the residents of a small sleepy college town, this becomes all too real as an evil presence invades on Halloween night. Written and directed by Ari Kirschenbaum (Bat $#*! Crazy 2011, Fabled 2002), Live-Evil has been hailed as “Dawn of the Dead meets Ghostbusters” and has been eagerly anticipated after its successful festival run. Unveiled by Simian Tales on Halloween evening 2015 for a special screening, Live-Evil is scheduled for mass release sometime in 2016.
- Still from Live-Evil
Following almost three minutes of introduction and credits, Live-Evil begins in black and white and remains that way for the first half of the film. Deputy Hancock (Charlene Amoia: Days of Our Lives 2010-2011, How I Met Your Mother 2005-2011) is attending to an incident on a country road when the police department operator, Sharon (Karen Wheeling Reynolds: Sex Sells: The Great Nudie Doughnut Shop War 2012, The Shunning 2011) asks her to take another call. Being that it is Halloween night and the end of her shift, Deputy Hancock reluctantly accepts and heads to the location in question. Once she arrives to the gated mansion, no one answers the gate’s speaker and the lights on the property go out. Forced to climb the stone wall, Deputy Hancock hears multiple gunshots and rushes to the house. The door swings opens and a large group of children in masks come running out, disregarding the deputy. She soon discovers that there are corpses all over the house. Hearing more gunshots, Deputy Hancock makes her way to the floor above and is met with a naked woman sitting in a chair with glowing eyes. Particles are released into the air, causing Deputy Hancock to choke, but she manages to detain the woman and lead her out. As they walk to the police car, she tells the woman that she knows something more sinister is taking place and begins feeling dizzy. She then escorts the woman with glowing eyes to the station.
When the two women arrive, strange things begin happening to everyone nearby. People begin to see their worst fears manifest before their eyes. Fellow police officers, Sam (Vincent M. Ward: The Walking Dead 2012, Everybody Hates Chris 2006-2008), Eric (J. Richey Nash: Bat $#*! Crazy 2011, A Pocket Full of Dreams 2001), and Sheriff Pete (Vladimir Kulich: Vikings 2013, Angel 2002-2003) do all that they can to maintain order, but paranoia quickly sets in. To make matters far worse, the dead begin to reanimate and, unlike typical Zombie portrayals, these walking corpses are capable of thinking and using weapons. Just as a war begins, salvation may be found in the form of a pastor of a local church, played by Horror legend Tony Todd (Night of the Living Dead 1990, Candyman 1992).
- Still from Live-Evil
Although the basic premises of Live-Evil have been seen before, it truly feels like an original story by the way it comes together. Each separate plot, including the demonic presence, manifestations of fear, and intelligent gun-wielding Zombies, has its high points. However, none of them get the time they truly deserve due to so much going on. Similar are the large number of actors throughout the movie. Characters are difficult to keep up with and could have been slimmed down a bit. However, the main cast is comprised of seasoned actors and it definitely shows. They play their roles very well, with specific nods to Charlene Amoia, Vincent M. Ward, and the iconic Tony Todd. Charlene Amoia’s scenes in the beginning makes her character instantly likeable and follows with the most heart-pounding scene in the film.
- Still from Live-Evil
While some of the effects fall a bit flat, the reanimated corpses are a major highlight. During the black and white portion, there is a silver creepy glow from their eyes, which goes to bright green in color. They are incredibly cheesy in appearance, but in a good way that B-Horror fans will appreciate. The abilities of the undead only add to the zany fun that these creatures bring to the screen.
While the film as a whole may not entirely live up to the high expectations, there are many enjoyable elements. Horror fans in the mood for an entertaining, over-the-top movie with silly effects will not be disappointed. CrypticRock gives Live-Evil 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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