Saturday, October 11, 2014

DETENTION OF THE DEAD (2012)



Written & Directed By: Alex Craig Mann 
Based On The Play By: Rob Rinow 
Cinematography By: Noah Rosenthal 


Cast: Jacob Zachar, Alexa Nikolas, Christa B. Allen, Jayson Blair, Justin Chon, Max Adler

A group of oddball high school students find themselves trapped in detention with their classmates having turned into a horde of Zombies.

Entertaining enough, a horror comedy thy relies more or teen comedy cliches and physical humor. While it doesn't go as far as being a spoof thankfully. It still has Plenty of goofy off the wall gags and some low brow humor. Which is what you would expect.

I didn’t know the film was based on a play, though should have suspected. It cleverly keeps the action in indoor locations that seem like most horror films and also lends the film to hide it’s stage bound roots, Though the action set-pieces seem added to make the play more visual. Though it feels more like a fan film with respectable production values.

A nagging detail in the film is the popular cheerleaders wig. It seems so obvious and is never addressed that for a film with impressive effects for it's budget would overlook such a detail. As it becomes a reminder that this is all dress up rather than being real characters

The film is of course cliche ridden though by design and that is what I counts on as everything and situation that happens feels primarily familiar. Yet time to time manages a surprise.

While it offers no surprises really in it's scenario, it does offer the cliches one is used to throughout with an knowing humor yet not a “wink wink” humor that unfortunately a lot of horror comedies employ.

It also shows it's affection for the genre. While giving it a send up and revealing it's inspirations. This film might even be an introduction to the genre for the younger viewers it is aimed at or horror voices who come across it in the comedy section. As it is gory at times it has a lighter touch then the usual films of items style.

I believe the film will be of particular delight to horror fans as fans of the genre. Who are willing to give the film a chance.

It's not boring, but at times does feel a little routine. At least you get the impression the filmmakers have a passion for the material as try to make or interesting and their own. While being a homage.

Plus it packs plenty of energy.

Trust me you could do a lot worse than this film. It's a fun time more the. It's cheesy straight to do title would suggest. It deserves more respect than that.

Grade: C

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