Atom the Amazing Zombie Killer is a film that gets better and better as it goes along, leaving you with that happy feeling 80 minutes later, that feeling of being rewarded for the time you spent watching it, that high you get from a movie that was much better than you expected going in.
One thing that makes ATOM THE AMAZING ZOMBIE KILLER unique and far above other zombie gore flicks: The film is solidly scripted and totally original. Not merely a rambling schlock and gore fest, like so many in this genre, but truly a complex script with really believable characters and rewarding surprises and twists. Everything is set up properly, and then paid off. The great writing is what gives this film its dignity and lovable-ness. You know that the filmmakers respect the audience and aren't just trying to sloppily package 80 minutes of tits and blood. This is a real proper, solid comedy deserving of a $100 million dollar Hollywood remake any day now.
As for the blood and gore that this film delights in: In the world Atom inhabits, the police are thankfully always 2 steps behind the killer, the victims never run fast enough, and body parts rip apart with oh so much ease...making for an excellent festival of gore, blood and death and ridiculous silliness. Each kill is done in a unique fashion, with its own humor. The writers of this film clearly thought long and hard how to make each death unique, ironic, and humorous - and memorable. You'll cringe and laugh and puke all at the same time....after the film, you and your friends can discuss your favorite moments, because as I said, each death in this film is its own work of art.
My only negative criticism: The opening scene in the bowling alley is the one spot where I got worried and probably the only part of the film that might turn people off if they're not used to low budget independent films. So, have patience here, the best is yet to come! In this first - and only truly problematic - scene, which is at a bowling alley, there are oddly no extras. It seems too quiet, too much like it is being filmed after hours. And also in this same scene, the two rival bowling teams are almost never together in the same shot, clearly having been filmed separately on different days. But once you get past this snag, which is the result of a low budget and probably also the scheduling problems of the actors...from then on, you are in good shape: from here on, the movie build and builds, like the ascent of a roller coaster.
By the 30 minute mark, the roller coaster peaks and then you're in for 50 minutes of loops and drops that will have you screaming! Expect lots of subtle gags too and background jokes and colorful props. It's not only a wild roller coaster, it's also got a bit of the old classic merry go round.
I can't say more, because any further information might be a spoiler. So, as Troma's Lloyd Kaufman (who makes a cameo) would say: Let's watch!
