The title cult classic alone is frightening enough at times these days but when cult classic is mentioned in the same breath with Lucio Fulci, it's down right terrifying for me. Face it, the term cult classic a majority of the time means "garbage that I like", and Fulci's films developed a reputation for a lot of people as being garbage that some people like. At least to me, Zombie directed by Lucio Fulci doesn't fall into the garbage category but it's cutting it somewhat close. This film actually gets worst every time I watch it.
There are two reasons why I somewhat enjoy Zombie. The first reason has to be the zombies appearance. I have never seen a real zombie before however I'm sure if I saw these; I would more than likely be frozen in my tracks in the first encounter. The make up artist out did themselves here. I would go so far to say that Zombie actually raised the bar on what a zombie should look like and up to this day even though a couple are very close, I haven't seen a zombie film yet that can really compare. I haven't seen them all but I've seen a lot. I mean these zombies truly look like the living dead. They are completely decayed with earth worms running out the eyes. The make up is excellent. Zombie definitely overachieved in its style.
Reason number two is the gore. You have the famous eyeball scene, a few zombie all you can eat buffets, and some good killing altogether. The zombies take some realistic and flesh eating bites. The film definitely gave me what I want in a zombie movie which is humans and zombies killing each other. This is another area where Zombie overachieved for me.
Unfortunately, like almost of Fulci's films that I've seen. He gets a few things right, but overall his films are very hard to sit through. I still cannot seem to understand what was the purpose behind a zombie fighting a shark. I find this scene worthless and nothing short of stupid. I do not find it anywhere near "cool" or "awesome". To include, the characters are just too unrealistic even for a horror film. While heading towards the end when the surviving main characters are fighting the undead. The doctor whom has been killing these creatures for god knows how long. Never shares the info that a bullet to the head is what takes them down for good. I'm not exactly sure about this. But is it possible that could have been valuable information? Nah... Not at all.
This is an Italian film, so don't expect much from the acting, in which I wasn't impressed at all anyway. There are some creepy moments with the most notable being the very first scene. I believe this scene which took place at the boat had the best build up in the movie. Since the viewer already knows the basic premise is a zombie attack. The very cramped quarters does an excellent job building suspense. You know something is going to happen. You just don't know when and how. Unfortunately, the film also has some boring moments due to its pacing. I found the pacing pretty bad but when things finally picked up the film no longer became a serious chore to watch.
Many fans advise possible viewers when it comes down to Italian films, Fulci's among many, one should forget the story and plot, and just watch the gore and laugh. Perhaps this is the secret to fool themselves into believing that Fulci was actually a genius and most Italian horror is actually art. Well, some of these folks have been telling themselves that for more than thirty years. I just wonder how many actually believe it.
I highly recommend Zombie to die hard zombie maniacs, Fulci, and Italian horror fans. Since I'm a zombie maniac I suppose this will forever be a part of my collection, but don't ever expect me to call it great or a classic heaven forbid. This is a guilty pleasure and nothing more.
There are two reasons why I somewhat enjoy Zombie. The first reason has to be the zombies appearance. I have never seen a real zombie before however I'm sure if I saw these; I would more than likely be frozen in my tracks in the first encounter. The make up artist out did themselves here. I would go so far to say that Zombie actually raised the bar on what a zombie should look like and up to this day even though a couple are very close, I haven't seen a zombie film yet that can really compare. I haven't seen them all but I've seen a lot. I mean these zombies truly look like the living dead. They are completely decayed with earth worms running out the eyes. The make up is excellent. Zombie definitely overachieved in its style.
Reason number two is the gore. You have the famous eyeball scene, a few zombie all you can eat buffets, and some good killing altogether. The zombies take some realistic and flesh eating bites. The film definitely gave me what I want in a zombie movie which is humans and zombies killing each other. This is another area where Zombie overachieved for me.
Unfortunately, like almost of Fulci's films that I've seen. He gets a few things right, but overall his films are very hard to sit through. I still cannot seem to understand what was the purpose behind a zombie fighting a shark. I find this scene worthless and nothing short of stupid. I do not find it anywhere near "cool" or "awesome". To include, the characters are just too unrealistic even for a horror film. While heading towards the end when the surviving main characters are fighting the undead. The doctor whom has been killing these creatures for god knows how long. Never shares the info that a bullet to the head is what takes them down for good. I'm not exactly sure about this. But is it possible that could have been valuable information? Nah... Not at all.
This is an Italian film, so don't expect much from the acting, in which I wasn't impressed at all anyway. There are some creepy moments with the most notable being the very first scene. I believe this scene which took place at the boat had the best build up in the movie. Since the viewer already knows the basic premise is a zombie attack. The very cramped quarters does an excellent job building suspense. You know something is going to happen. You just don't know when and how. Unfortunately, the film also has some boring moments due to its pacing. I found the pacing pretty bad but when things finally picked up the film no longer became a serious chore to watch.
Many fans advise possible viewers when it comes down to Italian films, Fulci's among many, one should forget the story and plot, and just watch the gore and laugh. Perhaps this is the secret to fool themselves into believing that Fulci was actually a genius and most Italian horror is actually art. Well, some of these folks have been telling themselves that for more than thirty years. I just wonder how many actually believe it.
I highly recommend Zombie to die hard zombie maniacs, Fulci, and Italian horror fans. Since I'm a zombie maniac I suppose this will forever be a part of my collection, but don't ever expect me to call it great or a classic heaven forbid. This is a guilty pleasure and nothing more.