Special Dead

... but that's not an endorsement.

Retards and zombies is a genre sorely lacking, but this effort did not hit home. There is squeamishness evident throughout at laughing at the intellectually handicapped - which kills the whole premise. C'mon, if you are going to make fun, you need to let go with both barrels or not at all. This squeamishness is what undid what could have been a true cult keeper.

I expected a _Police Academy_ brand of American idiocy. In this regard at least I was surprised. Nowhere near that level of dumbness. Zombies are good. Story not entirely predictable. Acting is passable. Still, opportunity squandered. I imagine what could have been in the absence of guilt and ethics. A _Bad Taste_ on steroids. Sadly, this blew it.

Worth seeing with pizza and a case of beer. But very easily forgotten.

Despite the title this film is really pretty charming and the most original zombie film I seen in ages. The gore is nice and grimy, different to the usual..

I couldn't believe how sensitive the attitudes were to the retards in the film. wtf?

There's a nice, genuine, 80s vibe flowing through the whole thing which just about does it, really. All the 90s and 00s zombie offerings were pretty dull. surely everyone's agreed on that.

this one rocks like shaun of the dead only much nastier and with hot girls.

definitely a 7 at least

bless

This is a B flick that does justice to the zombie/horror film genre. Even the songs in the movie are hilarious, and there are lots of hot chicks. If you love B flicks, zombie films, or both put this on your must see list. Good gore and the zombies look pretty creepy. Also some funny twist in this film that I never thought I would see in a zombie film, for example one of the hot ladies in this film is transformed into a zombie, but this does not stop the hero from making out with her. This film will someday be called a classic and will even have a cult following. If you want to be cool within your movie loving circle of friends, be the first one out of the group to see this film. You will not be disappointed.

How did this get selected for a Film Festival? Great concept. Great poster. Awesome Tag Line.

That's it. Your enjoyment ends there.

This film was so badly shot that 90% of the movie was impossible to see. How was the gore, you ask? How was the makeup? No idea. Couldn't see ANY of it. It was almost completely shrouded in darkness. I can't believe that this was allowed in a film festival where people paid money to see it. I was so angry, I almost walked out and demanded my money back. It's like watching a bootlegged copy of a movie someone recorded at a movie theater with a hand held, cheap video camera as the battery was dying.

I stayed, out of respect for the filmmakers who probably did try to make something new. But basically, it was a waste of 2 hours and hard-earned money. They should sell the rights to the concept and let Sam Raimi or someone completely re-write and direct it.

Save your money and your time.

As a zombie movie fan, I bought "Special Dead" simply out of fascination for the entire concept. Let's face it, a camp for retarded people getting invaded by zombies - who wouldn't want to see that!? Not me!!! "Special Dead" is quite bluntly, fantastic fun.

As far as horror-comedy goes, it rates right up there with Shaun of the Dead, Evil Dead II and Severance.

How can it not rate as highly when we are talking about a film that contains a zombie with Tourette's Syndrome, sex with a zombie, a frustrated toothless zombie, and a bunch of retards trying to stay alive (including a wheelchair-bound woman wielding an electric chainsaw!? It has to be mentioned that the film is also very well directed and written - quotes like "Holy Jesus's hairy nut-sack" spring to mind. But truly memorable, quality quotes are too numerous to mention here.

The death scenes are exceptionally well done too. Any movie that manages to include a zombie dying through a multiple popsicle-stick stomping must be praised.

Special mention has to go to the Editor (exceptional work) and the soundtrack. Particularly the soundtrack. If, by chance, your handicap is blindness (in which case I'm not quite sure how you're reading this review), then it's worth buying this film purely for the soundtrack! There are a couple of original tracks that are pure gold.

My only negative here goes to the acting ability of Jason Brubaker (Machiavelli Stone). All I can say is that he has the charisma of a car accident, and if only his character was played by someone who could pull it off (like Andrew Dice Clay for instance), then I would have rated this film a 10.

Regardless, Special Dead is tremendous fun. I can only hope that it gets the exposure it deserves, and if you have the chance to watch it, you will not be disappointed. For its genre, it really is a great film.