All Reviews

Excellent animation. I think the filmmakers could have gone an easier path and made it simpler, less graphic novel-esque while still telling the story (and leaving room for last minute changes to the story) - but I can respect the balls-to-the-wall detail put in to many of the illustrations. Especially some of the establishing shots, like of Clancy typing in his lab, and the INCREDIBLE OPENING title sequence and very cool end credits. Really set the bar high.

This is not a slapstick comedy Zombie film, this is a darker, Michael Crichton style flick, with more of a tragic hero and some fairly plausible science behind the action.

Here are a few comments:

I think overall you have a stellar premise, and any horror or zombie fan would immediately be curious to learn more about the story of a scientist so determined to protect his family and continue his work that he evades terminal illness by injecting himself with the plague of the undead. Very cool idea.

Other great moments include the nice visual metaphor of his car being held together by threads, the note to his wife: "don't near me...i turned to...i eat BRAINS" hahahaha. And I think there was another moment "I love you"..."I love brains" discussion that was great. Oh and Jabroni's Pizza? Nice one.

In terms of execution, I think it works as a graphic novel, but I put myself in the shoes of a live-action producer and felt that there were a few challenges with this story:

THE BUILDUP
For example, prior to injecting himself, Clancy has almost no hesitation, no last words to friends and family, no real buildup. He just DOES IT. While impressive as a bold move, I found this strange. I mean, this is a pretty major decision, and he does it kind of impulsively. I feel that it can really spring a story into motion to build it up a bit - especially this one. I think the director of the Bourne Ultimatum said that he viewed the first act of his film as a coil which winds up and then SPRINGS forward through the rest of the film. Z-Man didn't do this, at least not for me, and I think it would be stronger if it did.

THE INITIAL REACTION
Then, almost immediately after injecting himself, Clancy goes and gets drunk. Also strange, in my opinion. I mean - isn't this euphoric feeling of being undead a 'high' or 'stupor' unto itself? Couldn't we show how outrageous it must feel to have eternal maniacal life pulsating through the veins of a previously dying man? Just sayin'.

THE FIRST 48
The '1 month later' technique is ok, in that his wife answers many of our questions by saying 'he just stopped eating, he looks so pale.' But if family is so important to this guy - wouldn't the first few days of being a ZOMBIE be kind of a big deal to show us? I think so.

THE MAIN EFFECT
I'll buy the rather strange effect of eating someone's brains, thus destroying their skull, and then suddenly becoming a perfect replica of them. HOWEVER, from a movie perspective, it is problematic to lose your main character, arguably the most important casting decision in terms of luring in an audience and keeping them in their seats. The film 'Fallen', for example, featured a shapeshifting demon as the villain - but our main character, played by Denzel Washington, is pretty much always Denzel. Had the film featured a shapeshifting protagonist, it would have been a complicated story to bring to the screen. I just fear that people could lose interest in the rotating cast of 'new main characters' - even though the voice remains the same. A counter point to mine could be 'Face Off' - BUT - both characters were still with us for most of the film, albeit swapped.

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To the filmmaker: You're definitely onto something with your premise, your animation is great, and your story is entertaining. I just thought I would offer some perspectives on the broader objective of all this, which is a great big successful film. As a cult film, I think you've got a good thing going here.

Best of luck!

I enjoyed the movie. Even before I noticed the genre, I enjoyed the comic part of it! I was chuckling out loud!!!

The effects, color, dialogue are all well suited for the film!
Good Job!!!!

I give them 5 stars for effort but zombies beating a dead horse the other reviews seemed to like the story but not very original. I just don't see what people see in zombies and Werewolves or maybe I’m looking for something special a original story.