Title: Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse
Director: Christopher Landon
Writer: Carrie Lee Wilson, Emi Mochizuki, Christopher Landon
Stars: Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan, Sarah Dumont, David Koechner
Release Date: Out on DVD now
Review by Dave Griffiths
Never did the comedy/horror or comedy/sci-fi genre work any better than it did back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. As a kid many of us received our introduction to this genre by watching films like Earth Girls Are Easy on late night television. In recent times though the genre has served up some absolute rubbish and in many cases you would want to avoid them. Finally, we have a movie that bucks the trend; Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse, a film which embraces its retro roots.
Director Christopher Landon (Paranormal Activity: Marked Ones) was handed an absolute gem when he was given a screenplay that saw young scouts Ben Goudy (Tye Sheridan – Mud) and Carter Grant (Logan Miller – Ultimate Spider-Man) try to work out a way to leave the scout movement without hurting the feelings of their best friend, Augie Foster (Joey Morgan – Compadres) and their scout leader, Rogers (David Koechner – Anchorman). It seems being a scout just isn’t cool enough to win over girls such as Kendall Grant (Halston Sage – Paper Towns). What they don’t plan on happening though is a zombie apocalypse, which sees them teaming up with hot stripper, Denise Russo (Sarah Dumont – Don Jon) to protect their town with all their scout-learned skills.
Yes, a quick read of the synopsis and it does sound pretty trashy, and to be honest it is and that is what makes this film so damn good. The trashiness gives way to some sometimes gory shock horror while the comedy throughout the film actually does work. It works so well that no matter what was presented; gross out comedy horror, witty one liners or some good old fashioned slapstick – the audience I watched the film with was laughing out loud all throughout the film.
Surprisingly for a film in this genre, Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse. also lets some acting performances shine through. Both Tye Sheridan (who has wowed audiences with his dramatic performances up until now) and Logan Miller both do enough to show that they could be next generation’s Seth Rogen and Michael Cera, while Sarah Dumont certainly shows Hollywood that she is a more than capable future action hero actress in the making. Move over Angelina Jolie.
Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse, is one of those comedy-horror flicks that is going to be lapped up by fans of both genres. The horror is a great flashback to the ‘80s and ‘90s, while the comedy also works on a number of levels. Yes, it is over the top, and at times completely gross, but this is one of the films that is a modern day cult classic. Two thumbs and a zombie appendage up for this little bad-ass gem.
4/5
