Zomblies (2010) User Reviews

Poor Direction and Editing Ruins It

[artpf · 4/10 · 9 October 2013]

When a private militia's rookie zombie hunters send out a distress call, it's up to the Rangers to cross The Wall and bring them back as well as uncover the truth about a terrifying new breed of zombie.

An interesting concept that is nearly ruined by incompetent directing and even worse editing. Are we sick of the shaky cam by now? I am. And to add insult to injury, the editor decided to use jumpy editing that makes you want to puke.

Some of the zombie sound effects are silly and the soundtrack is horrible. The director tried to make an episodic movie but the content doesn't warrant it so you are left rather bored about a quarter way in and the running time is just an hour!!!!

The acting is decent, but let's face it, there isn't much to do but scream and fight and shoot guns.

I am thoroughly convinced that the couple of reviews who said the director is one to look out for have something to so with the movie.

Where was the storyline?...

[paul_haakonsen · 4/10 · 29 December 2015]

As much as I love all things zombie, then I also know from bitter experience that more than often is a zombie movie a swing and a miss. "Zomblies" was no different.

First of all; the title! What was up with that? What was the whole thing with the added L? I just didn't understand that.

Secondly, you would assume that a movie would require to have a storyline or at least something that even just remotely resembles a story and a plot. The storyline in "Zomblies" was six feet under here, no pun intended, and it never even got close to unearthing itself. It was just a bunch of people running around and away from zombies that were also running. No! Just no!

There was very little acting in "Zomblies", but of course why would there be any acting in a movie where all that was going on was running around and shooting zombies?

And the zombie make-up. Again no! Just no! It was the typical low budget zombie make-up, well, or rather lack thereof. First rule of a zombie movie is proper special effects and make-up. Rule two, no running zombies. Rule three, a proper storyline. "Zomblies" failed on every account.

If you are a zombie aficionado, stay clear of this movie, unless you are nurturing a hangover and just need a mindless, no pun intended, movie to pass the time.

nice but short

[alvinvega-327-299648 · 7/10 · 25 March 2012]

I love zombie horde films and Zomblies was an awesome surprise. What's best, the movie is free to watch on their official website. I honestly think it's better than some big-name blockbusters. Although Zomblies is not a blockbuster, the camera-work is great and special effects are good considering the low budget. There's certainly some work to do with the script, but I hope the director keeps producing this quality of film in the genre. Maybe his next film could be a little longer, as the movie runs only for 47 minutes. What I really liked is the speed of zombies. They're nothing like the zombies in many classic horror films, in which people can just walk to escape the horde. I mean, these zombies are fast as lightning! I know there's the fast vs slow zombie debate and some people may not like it. However, I think that fast zombies really bring about more action-feeling into the movie. At least it works well in Zomblies. Don't miss the scene after the closing credits.

My review

[piu-low · 2/10 · 5 January 2014]

Could have been a good movie with the story line.

C grade acting with some good special affects.

Some of them should have also researched on how a weapon is held and how a tactical unit patrol in formation.

The movie comes across as a few mates have got together wanting to film their own zombie movie, which always ends in failure.

I turned the movie off after 10 minutes.

In these 10 minutes I noticed when the elite unit came out of the water they were not wearing breathing apparatus so not sure what the point was having them rise up out of a stream when they would have entered into it and then only be under for a minute or so. They also came out of the stream wearing black pants and then later they changed to army camouflage pants.

If this isn't a group of mates, the casting team did a terrible job. I would hate to believe that this group of guys was an elite unit, because if so I think the zombies would easily overcome the UK within a week.

Amazing!

[Stormdrain · 11 October 2011]

I have to say was at times better than many top Hollywood films. The story is basically survival and will the men reach safety Along the way they have different battles that are really really well don and amazing considering the budget of this film. For those who say it has no story well neither did Mad max 2 then. One of my favourite films. This is pretty inspirational too.

I think the director will be someone to watch as the way he puts these action scenes together as I'm sure he'll have Hollywood knocking his door.

Well done cast and crew!

"Zombwow!"

[gattonero975 · 7/10 · 21 August 2012]

This small little film packs a wallop! Right away it's starts on the zombie action and does not let up for a minute! Yeah! This is some talent to watch for sure. The music score was right on target and appropriate. No Oscar caliber performances here but some great decent acting with an amateur cast.

It caught me off guard in a couple scenes for some real genuine scares and made me jump! (Not an easy thing to do) The special effects were decent enough and quick enough so you don't linger on the CGI too much. There are quite a few scenes that were very good and suspenseful. Almost like an intense Video Game about Zombies , but good nonetheless.

There really isn't too much of a story line but who cares? It's all about Zombie action! I hope there is a sequel. Definitely worth watching again! Love the motorcycle scene!

Awful

[ferdmalenfant · 1/10 · 2 August 2020]

This is a very poor attempt at making a movie. Extremely annoying camera work, no direction and terrible sound. Kinda felt bad for the actors.

What a pleasant surprise!

[tomrunelian · 10/10 · 27 August 2012]

For Gods sake - somebody please throw some real money at these guys! The creators of "Zomblies" most definitely have the talent, the drive and the will, but seemingly no money. Cinematography, editing and sound are as you would expect from Hollywood professionals. Just imagine what Mr. Reynolds could've done and can do with a larger budget - with better sets, better props and better actors. Sam Raimi remade "The Evil Dead", George Miller remade "Mad Max" - David M. Reynolds more than deserves the opportunity to remake "Zomblies". Im my opinion this is greatness in the making. If I had a million euro I would invest in a sequel/remake without hesitation - but my current holdings wouldn't even cover the cost of sending an email. May this raw talent be showered with cash in the very, very near future.

Great idea, realization with shortcomings

[dokenterprises · 7/10 · 4 September 2012]

First to say: I'm absolutely into zombie stuff. I love zombie movies - what was the reason I stumbled over this one. It is a nice movie, story line incorporates some really nice ideas. However there are two major points I wanted to criticize: First point, the actors. They play it good but one has the feeling, that they are really amateurs. I had in mind the whole time, that they might be airsoft players making a movie in their free time (for the ones aren't familiar with airsoft, just go to youtube and search for it). The military team did not look like soldiers. In fact they look quite weak and scrawny, not what I would expect from soldiers. Second shortcoming are the dialogs. I think the movie should have had more of them! The story would get more deepness and would be more convincing.

However great work for an independent movie. Keep it up!

Could have been ok

[joeblack-23831 · 3/10 · 7 August 2020]

I love zombie flicks but omg. The directing is so bad I could barely watch this. The story was ok. I know it's a B flick. But it's a B flick with a D Director.

A Brilliant B Movie?

[maxwatts-138-922317 · 8/10 · 24 October 2011]

I enjoy low-budget films but more often than not I fail to endure the whole effort. Whilst this film contains some of the common and sometimes entirely understandable failings associated with low-budget features it had me glued! The camera-work, directing and special effects are for me quite brilliant. Some of the chase and action sequences entertained as well as any Hollywood Blockbuster. I smiled a few times at moments inappropriate to the script simply in appreciation of the work. I also smiled at the sometimes weak script itself and this reminded me of the film's low budget. I suspect this could have been improved upon immensely by the same team with more resources.

There's references to other films to spot, humour in some of the gore, the Zombies are as well represented as any I have seen and we get two types as well!

The script and dialogue sometimes let this down. The camera-work and direction more than compensate. The original score was great, especially at the end. I sat through the credits, which I rarely do and was glad I did. I was surprised at how small a team produced this, it seems several people had multiple role's in the production.

I hope to see more of David M Reynold's work in anticipation of great things.

Low Budget Goodness

[DrSeussFreak · 7/10 · 3 August 2020]

I found this short movie to be very fun. There was nothing new in this story wise, and I do not enjoy Zombies that run, which they do in this film, but the camera work was very well done, as well as many of the special effects.

Early in the film, they mention "Roger 2, Delta 2", and I immediately thought maybe it was a Star Wars reference (R2D2), but cannot confirm that.

Targeted at B-movie lovers

[ichi2711 · 8/10 · 19 April 2011]

I was pleasantly surprised by the aesthetics of this film. The mere budget of £10,000 puts certain Blockbusters to absolute shame. With a finer script, and higher level of acting an extended version of the British film could be the next Dog Soldiers meets 28 Days Later.

The key to enjoying this short is not taking it too seriously. The film is definitely aimed at B- movie lovers and if you exit the screening having not laughed then I'm afraid you are the wrong target audience.

Yes, the film does have a distinctive game-like feel to it, but this adds to the exhilarating aesthetic. Some character development is lacking, but pithy one-liners and gruesome action sequences attribute to the soldiers-kicking-ass ethos that prevails.

Having seen "Zomblies" my dream job is now a British soldier during a Zombie apocalypse - give me a kick-ass squad, unlimited ammunition, a load of zombies...and a motorbike please!

Great action packed, Zombie B-movie

[Klay_Abele · 8/10 · 17 October 2013]

Most of the other zombie flicks in this category are complete piles of garbage. Zomblies seems to pull through and live up to B-movie status. If 28 days/weeks later left you wanting more then Zomblies can deliver a satisfying remedy.

For the most part the FX were done very well for being a film with a budget under 10k. The only hangup that I had to get over was the dubbed audio. In places it just felt weird, but I quickly got over that fact. The practical FX were executed very well and the acting was decent.

I'm glad they didn't spend much time on the Government/General as it's usually in those segments in zombie movies where they lose momentum. The Government is always seen as emotionless and flippant, and gets an immediate eye roll when seen in almost every B grade zombie movie.

Go watch this FOR FREE on youtube, another great move by the producers, or you can purchase the 1080p version on iTunes.

Very well done!

None Of The Boring Bits

[j-ritchie-756-25974 · 8/10 · 14 September 2013]

Most people watch zombie movies for the chases, the fight sequences, blood, guts, gore, the infected friend dilemma and the betrayal by Government/Big Pharma. And that's what this film delivers - a zombie movie without all the boring bits. There's almost no back story, no character development, a simple linear storyline, lots of zombies, tons of death, and mountains of blood, guts and gore that'll keep the most jaded teenager happy.

Storyline (such as it is): A group of soldiers goes across the wall to rescue some people and get samples of a new virus. Of course the Government/Big Pharma betray them and the team have to deal with the situation of a member of the troop becoming infected. Thankfully, due to the lack of time for character development, the situations are handled crisply, in a few seconds, without all that shouting and emoting that goes on in Hollywood films.

The whole thing looks low-budget and suffers slightly because of that, but it's a hugely entertaining film that shows more flair than all of the Resident Evil films put together. Give David M. Reynolds a decent budget, an expanded script to include all the usual boring bits, and Jason Statham as the lead character and you'd have a zombie film that'd take the box office by storm.

If you're going to have an evening of beer, pizza and gore, this is a perfect starter before settling in to something more substantial .