Shadow Zone: The Undead Express

The other reviewers have done an excellent job of summing this TV movie up. This is an okay TV movie aimed at kids who like scary stories. Those who say it seems like and After School Special are correct. It's fair for the most part but what really makes this something unique is Ron Silver's performance. Silver is fantastic! He brings real pathos and darkness to his role as the vampire Valentine. I rented this thinking it was a more adult oriented horror film. I was a bit taken back when it turned out to be a children's movie. I continued to watch it and Silver as Valentine was such a compelling character that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Silver really brings things to life each time he's on the screen and he has become one of this horror fans favorite cinematic vampires.

This movie first appeared on cable television and is a story based on a series of books by J. R. Black. The actual author was Roy Sallows, the J.R. Black was a pen-name for the series. The books themselves were written by several authors, all under the fake Black name to make them more eerie for the kids. By having many authors, it also made it easier to rush out several titles within a short time. There were quite a few of these juvenile level paperbacks and they were planned as competition against the then popular Goosebumps series, which also found dramatic adaptation, albeit on commercial television. However, the Undead Express was the only film made based on the Shadow Zone series. It is obviously from the goul's commentary, that there were supposed to be other adaptations, but none were ever made. Hopes that the series would take off failed to materialize and the principals lost interest.

Those without premium cable would not have seen it and it has been difficult to come by as a recording. I had to purchase a used copy as I could not find a new one available, particularly in the DVD format. It is a kid film, but some of us like horror movies without nudity, sexually explicit scenes, and vulgar language. The physical corruption of the dying vampires is a bit gross, but I suspect that kids who like such films will find it rather cool.

The "vampires" rules are inconsistent at best. Not sure how any of them actually get human blood as they all seem to isolate themselves from humanity. A few can be seen in broad daylight without a burn.. some burn with the teeniest beam of sunlight.

The "story" is so flimsy, I couldn't bother paying attention enough if there was one as the writing, acting and directing was so awful, I didn't care for anyone on screen. Ron Silver has done some fantastic acting in his career.. this is where he's having his assistant phone in his performance for him.

Avoid this drivel at all costs.

In New York, the teenager Zach (Chauncey Leopardi) is a compulsive liar since his parents divorced, and he has sessions with a psychologist. His best friends are the teenagers Gabe (Natanya Ross) and J.T. (Tony T. Johnson), and he is a fan of horror movies. When Zach gets lost in an old access to the subway, he meets the vampire Valentine (Ron Silver), who protects him against other vampires in a train, and they become friends. Gabe and J.T. do not believe on Zach, and he returns to the abandonment station to prove that the undead do exist.

"Shadow Zone: The Undead Express" is a low-paced good vampire story. The screenplay and characters are well developed. With more action and humor, this movie could be excellent, but anyway it does not disappoint. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Zona das Sombras: O Expresso dos Mortos-Vivos" ("Shadow Zone: The Undead Express")