The first zombie soap opera (Braindead (DVD))

Member Name: BlackSwan

Product:	Braindead (DVD)
Date:	05/10/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very funny and daring for its time, and still entertaining to this day

Disadvantages: The end goes a little too far and you get a bit numb with the gross-out part

"Brain Dead" was Jackson's third film and he improves on the homemade "Bad Taste" formula considerably. It is true that the film reaches overkill with the gore and it is only on this point that "Bad Taste" is its superior. However, the characters are better, the story is funnier, the special effects more ambitious and as far as gross-out factor is concerned you won't believe your eyes! It certainly deserves a place in the schlock-horror B-movie hall of fame bringing some classic and truly original moments. To begin with there is the unforgettable rat-monkey and the very gross but very comical scenes at the dinner table. Then check out the Taekwondo-trained priest attacking a horde of zombies with the immortal words "I kick ass for the lord!" For the first time-ever you will see a disembodied reanimated intestine, complete with farts, that - despite of its obvious ridiculousness - is actually quite eerie.

If you thought Shawn of the Dead was revolutionary - and it undoubtably inspired the likes of "Fido" and "Black Sheep" - then perhaps it is worth looking at this New Zealand low budget effort, considering it was filmed a good decade before hand. Again, I make the League of Gentlemen/Psychoville comparison because this one is even more appropriate. At least the first two thirds of the piece are very "soap opera" in style with the good son trying to do his best to support his zombie mother, who was a vicious, jealous, spiteful and nasty piece of work when she was alive! After she claims new zombie victims they also become part of the hidden family.

Summary: Funny and gross comedy with the true mark genius