Day of the Dead 2: Contagium (2005) (V)

Directors:

Ana Clavell
James Glenn Dudelson

Writers:

Ryan Carrassi (adaptation)
Ana Clavell (writer)

Release Date:

18 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

Every day has a beginning

Plot:

In 1968, in the Ravenside Military Hospital in a military facility in Pennsylvania, the army loses control...

Plot Keywords:

Virus | Zombie | Digit In Title | Sequel To Cult Horror | Prequel

Cast

Laurie Baranyay	...	Emma (as Laurie Maria Baranyay)
Stan Klimecko	...	Boris (as Steve Colosi)
John Freedom Henry	...	Jackie (as John F. Henry III)
Justin Ipock	...	Isaac
Julian Thomas	...	Sam
Stephan Wolfert	...	Donwynn
Samantha Clarke	...	Ava Flores
Joe C. Marino	...	Marshall
Jackeline Olivier	...	Vicky
Andreas van Ray	...	Dr. Heller
April Wade	...	Patty
Kevin Wetmore Jr.	...	Jerry
Simon Burzynski	...	Rubinsky
Mike Dalager	...	Derber
Christopher Estes	...	Charlie

Also Known As:

Contagium (USA)

Runtime:

103 min | Germany:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:18 | Germany:18 (heavily cut) | USA:Not Rated | France:-16 | Finland:K-18 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-18 (self applied) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Taurus Entertainment Company

Trivia:

When the bus arrives back at the Mental Hospital, as the patients are walking in there is a sign on the wall that says "Romero Ward", a reference to George A. Romero.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the 'Prologue' section, the caption says it is 1968, yet one of the soldiers is using a Beretta M92 pistol, 24 years before it was produced.

Movie Connections:

References Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958)

Craptacular fun, but no Romero flick by any stretch.

Yeah yeah, we all know the story about the rights to the earlier Romero flicks, so it's no mystery how this gained the nomenclature "Day of the Dead 2." A better question is why? Because the only way this film should be mentioned in relation to the benchmark work of Romero is in the phrase "...and isn't nearly as good as what Romero can do." It's name is opportunistic cash cow milking, no more. Let's be absolutely clear, this is a Day of the Dead sequel in the same way that the American remake of Get Carter is an inspired and intelligent reappraisal of the original. Not at all, basically.

That aside, it's not a bad movie and is a fun way to waste an hour and a half if you enjoy zombie flicks. Competently shot, if uninspiring and far from inspirational. The writing is ho hum, introducing a pathetic and pointless alien DNA exposition (the whole point is you don't KNOW why there are zombies, you idiots! Cah!) The acting is TV level but enjoyable enough.

It rolls along nicely, gives you what you want and expect from a film about the undead, then stops abruptly and rather weakly. No real gut munching, but some nasty effects. It could well be an extended episode of the Outer Limits with extra blood directed by a film grad and his mates over a dull weekend.

All in all, it just suffers from the expectations of its name. Left as merely Contagion it'd probably get a much needed break from let down viewers. Forget everything you know about the supreme original trilogy, switch your mind off, and enjoy.