63 recensioni
If you come into this expecting something like the Walking Dead, or any of the other hundreds of Zombie movies out there, you will be disappointed. This movie is actually more about the characters and the personalities and what they are experiencing and going through emotionally, than it is about Zombies.
Taking it for what it is, this movie is okay. It's not fantastic, but it is okay. If anything, the Zombies almost get in the way of the actual story itself, at least what little of them there are.
The movie is a wee bit confused in that it is trying to cater to multiple audiences by being a dramatic tale with some conservatively added violence, guns and gore. Doesn't quite work, but I don't think it completely fails either.
Taking it for what it is, this movie is okay. It's not fantastic, but it is okay. If anything, the Zombies almost get in the way of the actual story itself, at least what little of them there are.
The movie is a wee bit confused in that it is trying to cater to multiple audiences by being a dramatic tale with some conservatively added violence, guns and gore. Doesn't quite work, but I don't think it completely fails either.
The plot: After an explosion at a plant that stores biological weapons, a rage virus transforms a small community into bloodthirsty cannibals.
Yes, it's a straight-up ripoff of 28 Days Later and The Crazies. Once you get past that, it's actually pretty watchable, as long as you keep your expectations reasonable. The characters are a bit on the stupid side, but they're likable idiots. The slow pacing and brief run-time don't really leave much time for character development, and you end up not really knowing who these characters are. This is a bit of a problem because the film basically revolves around the characters; there's little gore or action, especially considering the genre. There's a little bit of drama, suspense, and romance, but don't hold your breath waiting for them. When the characters aren't have flashbacks to explain their thin back story, they're staring out windows or peering through rifle scopes. It's not very exciting, but it's a fairly tolerable waste of time.
If you're looking for a film that focuses more on characters and atmosphere, you may enjoy State of Emergency. Just keep in mind that it's an independent, low budget zombie film, and don't go in expecting a masterpiece. For example, the characters inject insulin into a diabetic's vein, and the zombies mostly just strike frightening poses and growl instead of attacking. My guess is they didn't have enough money for many stunts. It's not a great film, but it's better than I was expecting, given the budget and one man crew.
Yes, it's a straight-up ripoff of 28 Days Later and The Crazies. Once you get past that, it's actually pretty watchable, as long as you keep your expectations reasonable. The characters are a bit on the stupid side, but they're likable idiots. The slow pacing and brief run-time don't really leave much time for character development, and you end up not really knowing who these characters are. This is a bit of a problem because the film basically revolves around the characters; there's little gore or action, especially considering the genre. There's a little bit of drama, suspense, and romance, but don't hold your breath waiting for them. When the characters aren't have flashbacks to explain their thin back story, they're staring out windows or peering through rifle scopes. It's not very exciting, but it's a fairly tolerable waste of time.
If you're looking for a film that focuses more on characters and atmosphere, you may enjoy State of Emergency. Just keep in mind that it's an independent, low budget zombie film, and don't go in expecting a masterpiece. For example, the characters inject insulin into a diabetic's vein, and the zombies mostly just strike frightening poses and growl instead of attacking. My guess is they didn't have enough money for many stunts. It's not a great film, but it's better than I was expecting, given the budget and one man crew.
"State of Emergency" is not your average zombie movie. The movie starts out with a fairly good and interesting introduction to the main character, Jim (played by Jay Hayden). However, the movie is fairly slow in pace, and sadly never really picks up and gets into gear.
Now, don't get me wrong, because the movie is not all bad or an entire waste of time. What works out well in favor for the movie is the characters and the way that it manages to build up the relations to the four characters of which the movie revolves.
However, if you are looking for a zombie-fest or gore-show, then "State of Emergency" is a wrong bet to put your money on. As with "The Walking Dead", then "State of Emergency" is a character-driven story, although it just never gets anywhere near "The Walking Dead" effects-wise. I will say that all four people hired for the four main characters did good jobs with their given roles.
As much as I enjoy zombie movies, then I have always had a problem with agile and running zombies, which is what they have in this movie. And why do zombies in low-budget movies always have to make growling sounds like predatory big cats? It is just so stupid.
For a low-budget movie, then "State of Emergency" did a good enough job with what was available, and what they did use worked well enough in favor for the movie. However, it doesn't score high on the zombie ladder in regards of entertainment and enjoyment. There are far worse zombie movies available on the market.
"State of Emergency" is good is you have 85 minutes to spare and got nothing better to watch.
Now, don't get me wrong, because the movie is not all bad or an entire waste of time. What works out well in favor for the movie is the characters and the way that it manages to build up the relations to the four characters of which the movie revolves.
However, if you are looking for a zombie-fest or gore-show, then "State of Emergency" is a wrong bet to put your money on. As with "The Walking Dead", then "State of Emergency" is a character-driven story, although it just never gets anywhere near "The Walking Dead" effects-wise. I will say that all four people hired for the four main characters did good jobs with their given roles.
As much as I enjoy zombie movies, then I have always had a problem with agile and running zombies, which is what they have in this movie. And why do zombies in low-budget movies always have to make growling sounds like predatory big cats? It is just so stupid.
For a low-budget movie, then "State of Emergency" did a good enough job with what was available, and what they did use worked well enough in favor for the movie. However, it doesn't score high on the zombie ladder in regards of entertainment and enjoyment. There are far worse zombie movies available on the market.
"State of Emergency" is good is you have 85 minutes to spare and got nothing better to watch.
- paul_m_haakonsen
- 7 lug 2013
- Permalink
Well,as i started to check this one out,i was ready for anything,or at least something.This film starts small,and sorry to say,stays small.Now,i,m not saying its not worth watching,its just that we have all seen better.The cast does a decent job at playing the roles,all kinda with that "non-actor" thing going on,and i only counted 6-7 zombies,so i take it that most did not survive the "thing" that caused all of the problems to start with.No great hordes,limping,stumbling,or shuffling,but stand-around being dead,until they see you,then they move !.Not too much of the red sauce,or rad deaths,just a couple of head shots.Lots of time on their hands,they talk,plan eat,and when they can,they sleep,which is what this movie inspired me to do
- dadatuuexx
- 29 dic 2012
- Permalink
In Montgomery County, the couple Jim (Jay Hayden) and his fiancée Emilie (McKenna Jones) is ready to go to work when there is an explosion of a chemical plant in the outskirts of the town. Soon Montgomery County is in quarantine and under siege by the army and people turn into zombies.
Jim and Emilie escape from the town, but they have a car accident and Emilie is deadly wounded. They arrive in a farmhouse, but Emilie dies. Jim receives a phone call and a man named Scott (Scott Lilly) invites him to move to the tobacco warehouse close to the house where he is. Jim meets Scott and he introduces his wife Julie (Kathryn Todd Norman) and the unfriendly and weird Alex "Ix" (Tori White). Along the days, they become friends while they wait to be rescued by the marines. Will they survive?
"State of Emergency" is a surprisingly good and dramatic low-budget horror movie. The plot has great character development, good story of sympathy and friendship, but very few zombies; therefore fans of zombies will certainly be disappointed. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Código Vermelho" ("Red Code")
Jim and Emilie escape from the town, but they have a car accident and Emilie is deadly wounded. They arrive in a farmhouse, but Emilie dies. Jim receives a phone call and a man named Scott (Scott Lilly) invites him to move to the tobacco warehouse close to the house where he is. Jim meets Scott and he introduces his wife Julie (Kathryn Todd Norman) and the unfriendly and weird Alex "Ix" (Tori White). Along the days, they become friends while they wait to be rescued by the marines. Will they survive?
"State of Emergency" is a surprisingly good and dramatic low-budget horror movie. The plot has great character development, good story of sympathy and friendship, but very few zombies; therefore fans of zombies will certainly be disappointed. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Código Vermelho" ("Red Code")
- claudio_carvalho
- 10 dic 2013
- Permalink
Although low-budget zombie movies are ten a penny these days and, it's fair to say, the majority of them are absolute rubbish, STATE OF EMERGENCY offers something a little different. For a start, it looks like a professional, well-made movie despite the low budget; it has great production values and it avoids being cheesy for the most part.
Of course, there's a flip side to this coin, and the main detraction with the film is that it's incredibly slow. There are lots and lots of long, drawn-out sequences where the protagonist just barricades himself inside a building and waits...and waits...and waits. Some viewers might find this off-putting, although I found that the tension levels were high, which kept me watching.
The acting isn't bad, and pretty good for a B-movie, and as mentioned the technical values are decent. The zombies themselves are fast-moving and ultra-aggressive, much like the ones in 28 DAYS LATER, and the scare sequences are well handled. STATE OF EMERGENCY is far from perfect, and one of the disappointments is that the ending just fizzles out instead of bangs, but in a sea of trash watching it is a nice surprise.
Of course, there's a flip side to this coin, and the main detraction with the film is that it's incredibly slow. There are lots and lots of long, drawn-out sequences where the protagonist just barricades himself inside a building and waits...and waits...and waits. Some viewers might find this off-putting, although I found that the tension levels were high, which kept me watching.
The acting isn't bad, and pretty good for a B-movie, and as mentioned the technical values are decent. The zombies themselves are fast-moving and ultra-aggressive, much like the ones in 28 DAYS LATER, and the scare sequences are well handled. STATE OF EMERGENCY is far from perfect, and one of the disappointments is that the ending just fizzles out instead of bangs, but in a sea of trash watching it is a nice surprise.
- Leofwine_draca
- 6 giu 2014
- Permalink
While looking for something apocalyptic to watch, I stumbled on this and, after reading the many positive reviews, decided to access it on Netflix. Boy did I make a mistake. The reviews are correct, this isn't a zombie movie, as the people who have been exposed to a chemical leak are just rage filled (sound familiar) lunatics who only want to kill. I really don't know what movie (which this barely qualifies as) were watching, but it couldn't have been this. A derivative of 28 Days Later, this film is boring, unoriginal and has an incredibly lame ending. I don't even think this would count as a film school project. Just poor execution all around, and not one original idea in it. For an apocalyptic completist only.
This is not a blockbuster and there isn't a lot of zombie action, however this is an interesting movie with character and plot development. I started watching this movie while my spouse was at work, but when he got home he immediately got interested in the plot, even though he normally disregards "those zombie crap movies" I watch. He also liked, The Horde, World War Z, The Night Eats the World, and Overlord. So, I'm slowly but surely converting him over to be a zombie movie fan.
- RobLuvsTheMountains
- 22 mar 2019
- Permalink
- bikertamaz
- 27 dic 2012
- Permalink
I'm going to keep this very short as this is the first time I have entered my own review on a film, usually just using the reviews to help me decide whether or not to watch a film, and I don't want to spoil it by giving anything away.
I agree with some of the reviews that there wasn't much zombie action, however, I would mark it up there with the Walking Dead in terms of just the right balance of story vs zombie. For me this was the perfect type of Zombie film as you just never quite knew when those moments were going to happen. Certainly had my heart racing on occasions.
Give it a go - what have you got to lose?? An hour and a half of your time?? In my opinion, it won't be wasted!
I agree with some of the reviews that there wasn't much zombie action, however, I would mark it up there with the Walking Dead in terms of just the right balance of story vs zombie. For me this was the perfect type of Zombie film as you just never quite knew when those moments were going to happen. Certainly had my heart racing on occasions.
Give it a go - what have you got to lose?? An hour and a half of your time?? In my opinion, it won't be wasted!
- zia_andrews
- 30 dic 2012
- Permalink
- nynemout42
- 16 lug 2013
- Permalink
- willemve-686-274647
- 14 mag 2013
- Permalink
This is a pretty decent movie. People keep comparing it to a zombie movie, and the set-up is similar to that of a zombie movie, but this is NOT a zombie movie. A chemical explosion causes people in a town to go mad. Someone complained that they can speak. Yeah, they can speak, and reason at times. Because they're not zombies.
I thought a few scenes were pretty creepy. The scene when the main character remembers the morning the explosion happens, for one. I have always been freaked out by movies with nuclear blasts or bombs, and even though this has neither, the explosion caught my attention, and the military being there...I believe this is a pretty realistic portrayal of what would happen in a situation like the one the characters face.
This isn't an action movie. It's more like a study of what people would go through if something like this happened. They're not out of food, they're in a pretty safe place, but they're stuck, and they're waiting for rescue. It's interesting. If you're looking for a zombie movie, you're not going to like this. But if you're just looking for a decent, creepy thriller to watch one night, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I thought a few scenes were pretty creepy. The scene when the main character remembers the morning the explosion happens, for one. I have always been freaked out by movies with nuclear blasts or bombs, and even though this has neither, the explosion caught my attention, and the military being there...I believe this is a pretty realistic portrayal of what would happen in a situation like the one the characters face.
This isn't an action movie. It's more like a study of what people would go through if something like this happened. They're not out of food, they're in a pretty safe place, but they're stuck, and they're waiting for rescue. It's interesting. If you're looking for a zombie movie, you're not going to like this. But if you're just looking for a decent, creepy thriller to watch one night, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Acting was sub par, opening scene was slow and really set the mood for the whole movie. Slow. There was a huge lack of "zombies" if that's what you want to call them. There was not much emotion and you barely learned anything about the characters. The time frame of this movie was also ridiculous. I don't think it was even really a life or death situation for these characters as long as they stayed hidden. Maybe two weeks at most? Also it seemed the actors/actresses showed up to work, read their script and repeated them out loud and their day was done. I know this is minor but they called the soldiers in the movie marines. While they were clearly Army. That not a detail that should be overlooked.
- jennifers_collection
- 26 mar 2014
- Permalink
- gotrollyourself
- 29 dic 2012
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- robchambless
- 26 lug 2013
- Permalink
- daniel-mannouch
- 29 mar 2020
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- sylphstarwind35
- 30 set 2013
- Permalink
- nogodnomasters
- 4 giu 2019
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- travisdunn
- 22 dic 2014
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