Bombshell Bloodbath Mixes Too Many Ideas Together: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by the filmmakers.

Director: Brett Mullen.

Writers: Brett Mullen and Sky Tilley.

Cast: Alex Elliott, Ed Ricker, Rob Springer and Jeff Briggs.

Bombshell Bloodbath is an upcoming film from director Brett Mullen and writer Sky Tilley. This title is set for a January release, on DVD. But, indie film fans might not want to write the January 27th, 2015 release date down on their calendars. Bombshell Bloodbath is all over the place in tone and genre. Beginning as a horror title, the film switches into camp and into dramatic elements, as well. Also, the story begins with a mad scientist, but ends with an entire different set of characters. The film is a mish-mash of ideas and hard to recommend to film fans.

The story begins with a scientist. He hopes to bring his recently deceased wife back from the dead. Doctor Carter (Rob Springer) begins his experiments with rats, before moving ahead with human beings. Of course, his experiments and research turn to tragedy, when the dead come back to life. And, a lab full of the undead foretells some of the horror that is to come. But, Bombshell Bloodbath is not really a horror title. Instead, this is a story about family tragedy and the lengths characters will go, to save the ones they care about.

Make-up effects look consistently well done.

The film's tone is overly campy. The campiness drains any of the horror's effect. When a nurse's face is ripped apart the visual effect is strong and jarring. However, the effect is lost, when another nurse attempts to romance the corpse. Is anyone this desperate for love? The result of a scene like this one is a clash of tones. The horror does not mix well with the comedic ones. In another scene, two sisters invade the home of a scientist. One sister is dressed in her underwear and a mask. That mask comes off when a neighbour comes calling. This character's actions are truly unbelievable and the tone of the film is often in conflict with itself. Any potential scares are minimized with the inclusion of so many campy scenes.

The story is inconsistent, as well. The film begins with a stereotype: the mad scientist. He is busy mixing elixirs in his lab cabin. Early scenes introduce characters and situations, effectively. Then, one of the scientist's daughters is cut by a shard of glass. She is infected with a virus, which makes her hallucinate and turn partially into the undead. From here, the film changes characters and situations. The film now focuses on Cara (Alex Elliott) and her struggle to save herself. She will go to any length to secure a serum. And, this drive leads to lots of awkward conflicts. A final scene, involving Cara, tries to sum up all of the inconsistencies, with a voice-over-narrative. This scene is uncompelling, especially considering her unexplained final location. The film's story is not cohesive.

Bombshell Bloodbath is not really a zombie film. There are flesheaters introduced early and late. But, much of the film is concerned with a new, experimental drug and its vaccine, or serum. Family members do their best to save each other, but the results are mostly flat. Make-up effects are well done. However, the horror elements are very weak, overall. Conflicts are minimal. And, this film could have used a few more action scenes, to balance out the dramatic ones. In the end, Bombshell Bloodbath is an unsatisfying indie film, which will only entertain the more resolute viewers.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10 (make-up effects are practical, the film changes into a standard zombie film at the seventy-five minute mark, acting is average, the budget for this film was very low).

A trailer for the film is available here:

A Bombshell Bloodbath Trailer on 28DLA


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Posted in: 2014,campy,drama,dramatic thriller,horror movie review,independent,indie,movie,movie review,review,zombie,zombie apocalypse,zombie movie review,zombies