Everyone loves Zombies. They instantly add additional points of awesome to any movie, and it’s almost impossible to mess them up (though some movies certainly try). But why are we so enthralled by the cinematic undead? Is it their immediate kitsch value? The zombies’ insatiable animalism and hunger? The mindlessness of the violence? The gratuity of the sex? The stupidity of the characters or the epicenes of their survival?

Whatever it is that makes zombie movies great, Dead Snow (2009) has it all and is bound to be the next zombie classic. Taking many cues and paying a lot of homage to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead Series, this Norwegian zombie film hits all the beloved conventions. Young, oversexed and naive victims in a cabin. Doomsayer wise old man. Isolated and eerie snow covered mountain and forest environments. And Zombies. Nazi Zombies.

It’s hard to critique a zombie movie cinematically. In comparison with something like Dead Alive (1992) or Re-Animator (1985) it definitely benefits from higher production value and more polish. In comparison to any none cult film however it’s definitely lacking. Poor acting matches even poorer characters with weak motivation, bizarre choices and indistinguishable characteristics. The plot is also all over the place with obvious plot points, arbitrary back-story and just random moments.

But none of this makes for a bad movie. Zombie films situate themselves in a specific niche of film where normal conventions don’t apply. You can’t ever complain about the films plot, or acting or effects. The horribleness of these usually leads to the film being more successful. Cliché as well isn’t something to be avoided, as that’s usually what the fans are looking for. And that’s what zombie movies are really all about. The Fans.

Sitting in the theatre, watching the film with scores of other zombie enthusiasts, one gets the feeling that zombie appreciation is really a culture. There was a community of likeminded individuals at the Bloor Cinema last weekend, all raring for the experience of gore and blood, sex and violence, chainsaws and intestines. And we sure got it, with porter potty sex, Nazi zombie decapitation with a hammer and sickle and a machine gun mounted snowmobile. As ridiculous as it all was, there is something cathartic about zombie films. Maybe it was the gore, maybe it was the Nazi’s, maybe it was even that the film was in Norwegian, but something about the film seemed to resonate deeply with everyone in the audience. I have heard from someone that the reason Zombies are so fascinating is that they embody a very primal question. The afterlife for some is the ultimate unanswered question, and zombies are the walking undead, a pure literal walking symbol of death and the unknown.

Whatever it is, all you need to know about Dead Snow is that the action is awesome, the plot is random (Nazi pirated gold as a start point) and the gore is waaaaaay over the top. It’s also one of the most intentionally funny zombie movies I’ve seen. Dead Snow is a must see for all Zombie enthusiasts.

Dead Snow just premiered last weekend at the After Dark Film Festival, but should be arriving some time soon to kick ass in theatres across Canada. While you’re waiting to get your Norwegian gore on, I recommend checking out the following Zombie Classics.

The Return of the Living Dead (1982) – Dan O’Bannon

The first in a long series of horribly hilarious zombie movies. This is the film that popularized the line “BRRAAAAAINZ” with its unique take on the undead and juvenile punks. When you’re in the mood for a terrible movie, it is one of the best.

Wild Zero (2000) – Tetsuro Takeuchi

Both looks and feels like a film from the 90s, but this is by far the best combination of Rock n Roll and Zombies. Get ready for aliens, hermaphrodites, eye lasers and the funniest last line ever. Oh yeah and it’s Japanese.

Re-Animator (1985) – Stuart Gordon

Another zombie movie which spawned a series. Re-Animator is probably tied both with Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive and Evil Dead 2 for the most ridiculous zombie movie. I can’t even begin to explain what goes on in this film but I think all that needs to be said is that there is a scene where a man asks a zombie to hold his disembodied head so that he can perform cunnalingus on a tied up woman. If you aren’t already on your way to download or rent this, I don’t know what else you want out of a zombie movie.

(7.5/10)

Ein, Zwei, DIE! Check out the trailer: