Indie Film Review “ZombieCON Vol. 1” A rollicking, comedic adventure of true friendship amidst corpses and chaos
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
So……have you ever felt like the world was ending? No, really. Like no matter what you do, have done, or are wishing to accomplish, it all just seems to end up leading to, well, THE END. In similar fashion, have you ALSO found yourself desiring for those whom you deem to be responsible for your life’s miseries to simply go away? Maybe you even want to be able to “take care of them!!” (you know what I mean! **Evil laugh ensues**) directly. It sounds kinda nuts, granted, when you stop and truly think about it. However…..what if it ACTUALLY happened???
Rocket (Manny Luke), Claire (Erin Áine), Punkie (Punkie Johnson), and Javier (Christian Casillas) are not only BFFs, but also diehard cosplayers. Existing to press into the characters they embody at Cons (Conventions” for the uninitiated), the dedication to their chosen lifestyle and interests is virtually unparalleled. BUT…..like all heroes, they have an arch enemy, Zander (Carlo Mendez), and others who mock and scorn them. When one of the groups wish is to rid the world of scumbags like him, it sets off an apocalypse they must now fight through to survive. No, really.
Next, my Mind:
“Night of the Living Dead”. “Dawn of the Dead”. “World War Z”. “I Am Legend”. “Shaun of the Dead”. Just a few of the classic zombie/virus-inflicted humans movies the cinematic world has been granted over the course of decades, many defining the genre in new ways as they were released. Now, take ALL of those and toss them out, because there’s a NEW monster in town, and it comes running at you full speed thanks to writer/director/producer/cinematographer/editor (can the guy wear any more hats?! Oh, wait, watch the end credits and find out!!) Kyle Valle, writers/producers Erin Áine and Manny Luke, plus executive producers Rob Valle (who also did music), Crystal Valle, Ryan Bury, and James Andrew Felts. Folks, this is NERD HEAVEN as far as this critic is concerned, so let the flag be raised high while you allow yourself to just sit back, grab the popcorn (and random implements of doom to protect yourself) and RELISH the entertainment offered!
Relentlessly cheeky and conveying so many wonderfully, intentionally hysterical stabs at the amazingly prolific and taken-very-seriously arena of cosplay and cons, plus those who would dare to unduly scrutinize and jeer at such things (shame! shame on you!), the narrative that sees four friends having to encounter a terrifying (yet somehow strangely cathartic??) reality they’ve inadvertently brought to life (thanks to extraordinary circumstances, of course) proceeds with absolute purpose, solid pacing, and enough hilarity to make your stomach ache. What I totally adore about grass roots indie filmmaking is the fact that it doesn’t MATTER what any perceived or real production “flaws” might rear their heads, because the sheer energy and genuine vigor films like this showcase is overtly undeniable, and therefore draws you into the story regardless for the entire runtime BECAUSE you are having so much FUN with it! THAT is the POINT, people! RELAX!
Visually the film jumps back and forth between straightforward and “found footage” stylings for the imagery, embracing the shaky camera and general, but purposeful, haphazard nature of the latter to infuse many of the zombie scenes with a sincere sense of wholly chaotic insanity the grander scenario should elicit. And then there’s the all-encompassing riotousness of the blood-spurting instances (think “Evil Dead 2” here) that are SO over-the-top that you are most assuredly laughing uproariously at it rather than being remotely disgusted…..again, because it really IS funny!! Being that my own horror movie tastes have tended to shy away from zombie-related fare, it has been quite refreshing in more contemporary efforts to see the concept of zombies or virus-infected humans get elevated to where they are FAST! They can actually MOVE and RUN after you, which for me makes them all the more frightening and intimidating. It’s used here, and I appreciated that.
Here is the real kicker in it all, though. As I’ve mentioned a LOT over the years, indie film EXCELS at being MORE than just what’s on the surface, even when it comes to purely amusing, entertaining romps like this one. Thematically, the manner in which the film chooses to address not just pop/geek culture and its validity, but delves into self-identity, bullying, staying true to what interests you no matter what others say, the sometimes volatile nature of friendship, its challenges, importance, and impact upon us, the need to recognize our own flaws in perspective and be willing to accept help from those who care about us, parent/child relationships, standing tall in the face of adversity, developing confidence/belief in yourself, and refusing to give up even when the odds only seem to be more and more impossible. There really is a HUMAN story at the heart of this film, and THAT to me is VERY impressive given the waggishly absurd construct built around it. There might also be a little quick stab at non-GMO foods, but hey.
The soundtrack is so apropos, and the film’s finale we’re entreated to is just PERFECT, setting the stage for what one can actually only HOPE is a further dive into this crazy, comedically-infused, ghoul-filled actuality Valle & Co. have manifested. Additionally….kicking zombie butt with replica swords!! I mean, HOW can you NOT love it?? And you KNOW you own some! I know this critic does. Several, actually. And a light saber. But, I digress. Ensemble casts! A LOT of peeps involved here, and I once more state that I honestly appreciate you ALL, because making a film in itself is an achievement, much less acting in one, especially with such a massive number of thespians in attendance. As I also often say, though, NO SMALL PARTS and while I cannot get into detail about everyone’s performance, I acknowledge the entire groups contributions! Stay the course and keep acting. With that said, we move onwards.
Luke, for what is for all intents and purposes his real debut (not at all discounting the version of “ZombieCON” from 2018) as an actor in a feature film, does an magnificent job through evident energy, bravado, and just plain spirit via his role as Rocket, the “leader” of four best friends, who makes cosplay and its significance to them paramount in his daily focus and time spent enjoying it all. But, in the wake of another winning Con appearance, when a dose of painfully chiding dispersion is lobbed at the crew, Rocket begins to doubt himself and everything people stand for, even as he strives to usually see the best in others. As a sudden jolt to their entire existence occurs, will Rocket be able to hang onto his own sanity and personality to get them through, or will he succumb to the crippling battle against believing in humanity ever again? There’s no uncertainty Luke committed to this role with everything he has, and the amount of vitality he brings is conspicuous.
Áine is a definitive force of authentic heart, vibrantly emotional bombast, and overall jocularity-infused power through her turn as Claire, one of Rocket’s besties and fellow cosplayers who becomes the catalyst for the group’s rather….alarming….change in life perspectives. Once the realization of what’s transpired is made jarringly apparent, Claire’s quiet, smiling demeanor gets turned into angst-filled, blood-soaked, zombie-slaying rage that is profoundly witty to watch come about, SO well enacted by Áine throughout the runtime, again being both charmingly endearing and freakishly intense, which fits the events beautifully. Johnson stands tall with a firmness of emotive ferocity that serves as both inspirational and scary through her role as Punkie, the more strongly vocal members of the quartet who more than refuses to let others wallow in self pity, but rather emphatically encourages people to stop crying and get cracking.
Attempting to be the rock that Rocket needs in his time of said doubts, Punkie’s unquestionable loyalty to them all is very obvious and motivational even when things get funky, where she proves she can let the rage monster out as well as anyone. It’s a fully engaging performance Johnson provides that demands attention. Casillas brings his own magnitude of charisma, humor, and seriousness to his role as Javier, the de facto “jock” of the group who has more than enough confidence to go around while still not being afraid to reveal he’s a total nerd. Equally and just as excitedly involved with the cosplay realms his friends rely on his participation with, Javier must discover a new level of fearlessness in the face of a world gone mad, even if it could mean sacrificing his own life to ensure everyone else is safe. Casillas has this attitude and playful cockiness that he delivers through this role, and it suits the character to a “T” while being altogether fun to watch.
Primary supporting turns arrive from Mendez as the friend’s most hated “enemy” Zander, a consummate a-hole who doesn’t even know the change in his situation he’s about to face, though might it be an improvement to his self-serving ways and the last bane of the other four’s existence? Nichole McAuley plays Mama Bear, Rocket’s mother who is an example of the “overbearing” parent but who also becomes the person they all must save. J. Michael Trautmann is the Mystic Man, another main catalyst for events that unfold. Melissa Jane Rodriguez, Hendrix Deveroux, and Anna Valencia play Ray, Kim, and T respectively, effectively Zander’s fangirls/groupies who might also find that becoming something different could have its advantages…or spell their doom as well. How all of these main actors play off of each other is what makes every sequence they share worthwhile to watch, and that kind of group chemistry, I feel, is not so easy to accomplish. So, BRAVO!
Additional supporting turns are found from Erin Maxick, Leighton B. Allen, Scott Anthony Simmons, Mariana Guerrero, Joseph Drobezko II, Ashlyn Henson, Benji Kaufman, Crystal Cooper, Bertrand-Xavier Corbi, Sterling Price, Chandler Darby, Austin Kress, Justin Hobson, Mike Ferguson, Shawn Cortel, Kyle Valle, Liz Trevi, Zach Gibson, Ian Delaney, Aryiel Hartman, Jeff Nguyen, and Phil Kruse among MANY others. **WHEW!!** Think that covers it. So, in total, “ZombieCON Vol. 1” indisputably dispenses a bellyful of hysterical, fiend-centric, bloody fantastic wackiness that more than speaks up for the wonder that is independent film at its core. Therefore, let the freak flag wave proudly, BE WHO YOU ARE, gather your supplies, choose your weapons, know your goals (and you TRUE friends), pick your targets, be safe, and crank up that CA alt-rock playlist, because it’s time to go hunting!
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
