Germ

The plot: After a satellite falls in central New York, the hapless townspeople are transformed into ravenous zombies.

As far as zombie film plots go, this is hardly an original one. I doubt most people watch direct-to-video zombie films for original ideas, so we can probably overlook this issue. Less forgivable is the acting and directing. After the first ten minutes, I was ready to turn this off, but I decided to give it a chance. After all, this was made not too far away from where I live, and I was curious what a Syracuse-area zombie film would look like.

I'm happy to report that the film does get better after the first excruciatingly bad minutes, but it's still an uphill battle. We're introduced to quite a few characters, none of whom are especially interesting or memorable. The acting is about what you'd expect for a direct-to-video zombie film, but it should be more-or-less tolerable for genre veterans used to lowering their standards.

Once the zombies appear, the pace quickens a bit, but the action scenes are really no more interesting or memorable than the characters. Zombies siege a house, zombies siege a car, zombies siege a police station -- these are not quite inspired scenarios. If you're just looking for a bit of zombie action and low budget gore, this will hold you over until the next direct-to-video zombie film arrives, but there's little recommend about this particular entry in that crowded arena.

For a film that I originally thought was unsalvageable and boring, it eventually did turn into a slightly more interesting film. The problem is that it never really peaked any higher than mediocre. I doubt anyone outside of the central New York area will be as amused by the novelty of its setting, and this is really the only reason why I finished it. If you really want to see New Yorkers terrorized by monsters in low budget horror films, Larry Fessenden, Jim Mickle, and Larry Cohen are better choices.

I agree with reserved, but positive opinions. This movie has potential for some of the settings and scene direction, as well as some actors' acting. For the budget expectations, this movie shows promise to those involved on many levels. Granted, some of the actors make you cringe, but that happens. As for the overall movie itself, it is an acceptable addition to the zombie genre. Some negative reviews suggest that those reviewers didn't even bother to watch past the first few minutes but merely passed judgement. If you're looking for up and coming, this would be the movie to see, rate, and find talent to recommend. If you're looking for Hollywood polish from every angle and related clichés that comfort you look elsewhere.

A satellite carrying a space-born virus lands near a small town which turns those residents nearest to the impact into raving zombies. Soon the people of the town are caught up in a life and death struggle with no immediate help coming in the near future. Anyway, so much for the plot which is hardly original. Add in the fact that this was a low-budget film and one could probably understand why my expectations were somewhat jaded. However, I was mildly surprised as the directors (J.T. Boone and John Craddock) managed to make the most out of what they had and were able to produce a decent enough zombie picture. Most of this hinged upon the fact that the action was so dominant that the lack of costly special effects and the unknown actors were subordinate to it. That said, there isn't much here that will excite bloodthirsty gore hounds. Again, the action is the key to this movie. Now, would I have preferred a bit more gore? Yes. But I suppose I can't reasonably fault anybody for putting a priority on action instead of gore. Especially since the decision resulted in a satisfactory movie overall.

The military's attempt to shoot down an orbiting satellite unleashes a space-borne epidemic on a remote, small town.

You can change the name of your film from "Germ Z" to simply "Germ" in order to try and hide the fact this is a low, low, low budget zombie film with a no name cast and crew... but we will still figure it out. The fact Netflix recommended it to me while simultaneously saying I would give it less than two stars is a mystery... but they got me to watch it, so well played.

Saying I hated it would be unfair, because there are so many worse films out there (have you seen "Hell's Threshold" yet?). But I sincerely hope I never have to watch this again.

Deserves a higher score for sure. May be a low budget film but the acting is very good. Likeable characters and a fairly entertaining script.

Some nice gore effects, cheaply done but effective and nice amount of blood.

Couple of small continuity errors aside this was a very well directed Infection/zombie film. Far better than most and was kept gripped throughout. Nice pacing, no parts dragged and dialogue and actions of the people believable.

I'd even like to see a sequel.