Thursday, December 11, 2014

Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead Brings two Undead Armies to Life: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a DVD screener of this film was provided by Well Go USA.

Director: Tommy Wirkola.

Writers: Stig Frode Henriksen and Vegar Hoel and Tommy Wirkola.

Cast: Vegar Hoel, Ørjan Gamst, Martin Starr and Jocelyn DeBoer.

Director Tommy Wirkola returns to the zombie genre with Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead. After dabbling in bigger films, including Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), Wirkola returns to where he began, indie horror. This sequel, to the 2009 film, picks up right where the last one ended. Martin (Vegar Hoel) is still dealing with cursed, Nazi zombies. This time, the enemy is growing and seeking revenge, on a small town, in Norway. This sequel utilizes lots of exterior shootings, while relying on a comedic and light tone. Horror elements are minimized. And, any real thrills or scares are forgotten, in favour of over-the-top camp. Still, Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead brings a great climactic final scene and lots of laughter, along the way.

This sequel follows right where the previous one left off. Martin is stalked by Nazi zombies and they want his gold, which he stole in the previous film. An action scene takes place not much later, but Martin finds some peace of mind and solace in a hospital bed, nearby. However, Martin has a new arm, which is cursed and very murderous. Soon, doctors and police officers are killed as Martin plots his escape. Later, he has an uphill battle to defeat Herzog (Ørjan Gamst) and his growing army of zombies. His only choice is to create his own zombie army, through the powers of his cursed arm. A final battle scene brings all kinds of chaos and characters together, in the chilly Norway landscape.

Wirkola utilizes lots of exterior shooting in this sequel. The original was spent, mostly, inside a cabin or in an outhouse. This time, the film is more expansive and less claustrophobic. In these larger scenes, Wirkola also brings lots of characters in front of the lens. This sequel uses German soldiers, the Einsatz, to fill the space. As well, more of the Norwegian landscape is shown and all of settings look natural and more colourful. A creepy cabin is no longer the focus in this larger film.

Dead Snow 2: Red vs Snow is more comedy, than horror. Just like the original, this is a film about light humour. Reminiscent of The Evil Dead (1981) and its successor, Evil Dead II (1987) scenes of violence are delivered tongue-in-cheek. As well, Martin has a modified arm, much like Ash (Bruce Campbell), in these earlier films. For an instance of campy violence, Martin disembowels one zombie and uses its intestines to electrocute the enemy, with power lines. CGI enhancements show this scene's shocking power. As well, the film brings in a "Zombie Squad," now that all of Martins' friends are dead. They also play some of the film's court jesters, always creating laughter from their lack of competence. Finally, the film ends with a scene of necrophilia, which is offered as the film's only love story; this steamy is strangely not horrifying, but disturbingly funny. All of these scenes, and others, create laughter; horror elements are mostly forgotten, or pushed to the side to create more scenes involving comedy.

So, any excitement comes from the film's action elements. The climax is particularly well done as a German Tiger tank enters the fray. Two undead zombie armies fight, in close combat. Meanwhile, Martin must face Herzog again and probably for the last time. Action elements are well-choreographed. They are also complex, with the inclusion of so many extras. The action genre is also very prominent in Wirkola's latest.

Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead has just released in North America (Dec. 9th, 2014) and this title will entertain fans of both action and comedy. Though, horror fans will not find much excitement, nor scares here. Horror elements are relegated to the creatures onscreen, make-up effects and a few night scenes. Still, this film offers lots of laughter, through its use of special effects. Gore is sprayed everywhere, in this picture. Wirkola continues to blend genres in his films and his latest will entertain a number of action focused film fans.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (likeable characters, good pacing and a suitable ending for the series?).

A United Kingdom trailer for Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead is here (United Kingdom version):

A Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead Trailer


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