The Dead the Damned and the Darkness

First of all, though I've seen hundreds of low budget horror films, there are folk out there much more familiar with today's low budget fear films, including many experts in zombie film and lore of the undead. Having said that I've seen and enjoyed the Dawn of the Dead remake, 28 Days Later, and yes even World War Z (never read the book), all big budget films when compared to the average independent film. I realize I'm in the minority here, but this film is enjoyable. On the technical side, just about a one man filmmaking army Rene Perez makes the most of his budget and resources, and can't be sure but looks to have done considerable planning prior to filming. He makes the most of his locations, thus he avoids the absurd number of close ups that low budget filmmakers rely on to hide the fact they have no location to speak of. I hate CGI gunfire, but here the filmmakers are wise in how it's rendered and filmed, even including the detail of discharged shells. The acting is no worse than the average teen slasher film, in fact the actors all possess interesting faces unlike the generic casting you often see in a lot of low budget horror. Also on the plus side is the camera-work, Perez has a very nice graphic sense and considering the low budget shows an ambitious eye. As for the zombies many are clearly wearing masks and stumble about in a not always convincing fashion, but hell I don't know how a zombie moves, last I checked they don't exist. The hero's combat suit is well designed and cool to look at. I applaud the filmmaker's decision to shoot the majority of the film in daylight, even big budget fare have difficulty keeping night scenes visible.

I enjoyed the film as it has that certain charm that many low budget 80's action/horror films possess. Some may disagree, but I'm speaking about movies like the Italian Road Warrior ripoffs, or David A. Prior's (Deadly Prey) and Fred Olen Ray's (The Assault) work. I don't go into these films looking for perfectionism, if it's there great, but otherwise I just want some cool and/or fun stuff to watch. On a final note I applaud Perez for the manner in which he weaves the hope that God offers into the storyline, most take a very hostile view of the subject, the horror genre especially, so he went against the grain in this respect, hat's off.

When I started watching "The Dead the Damned and the Darkness," I was genuinely intrigued by its promising beginning. The initial scenes set the stage for what I hoped would be an action-packed and thrilling movie. However, as the film progressed, my excitement quickly faded.

I anticipated a lot of action and intense fight sequences, but instead, I found myself watching three characters aimlessly wander around without any real purpose. The lack of a coherent plot and engaging content made the movie feel incredibly monotonous.

Despite its promising start, "The Dead the Damned and the Darkness" ultimately failed to deliver. It was a disappointment, with very little to keep me engaged or entertained. By the end, I was left feeling bored and unsatisfied, wishing for the action and excitement that never came.

Shouldn't there be a comma in the title? Whatever. Zombies move slowly, so does this film. Zombie films are all much the same. So is this one, mostly. The central character is a soldier, only there is no army left because the entire planet has been taken over by these infernal things; we learn why towards the end. On his travels he picks up a deaf girl, and an older bloke who always looks on the bright side.

Clearly there can be no redemption although there is a happy ending of sorts, and if you watch it all the way through you will be happy to reach the ending.

There is no real plot at such, little in the way of characterisation, but the soundtrack isn't bad, and deserves to be attached to a better film.

Iren Levy made this film watchable. If she had of been killed off in the movie I would have stopped watching at that moment. You could have made the whole movie about her running and hiding from Zombies and somehow fighting off the male survivors. The fact she was playing as a hearing impaired person added to the movie. This was a good idea. Maybe could have been played up even more. Iren has the girl next door look and her personality shines through even in this movie. The other actors were not terrible by any stretch. The old man came across very authentic and likable. The main character and his suit not bad. The metal (or whatever it was made of) crotch cover was not so good. But for a low budget film you can't expect perfection. The helmet though very good and cool looking. Just the type of zombie protection you'd want.

...but wow, this is bad.

If you were expecting the high quality acting, script writing and special effects of your average you tube fan fiction garage edited production, you are setting your sights too high.

Horrendously bad scripting in combination with horrible acting. The music could be worse(trying to add a positive) but even that is being kind. Costumes straight out of a Halloween store. Even the actors shambling around in the rubber zombie masks were bad.

I really wanted to find something to like here, even if it was Plan B level like...