Re-Kill

"Re-Kill" is an action-horror found-footage film that takes place 5 years after "the outbreak", aka the zombie apocalypse. I am a big fan of martial artist Scott Adkins, and had read about this back in 2010 when it was being filmed (or about to go into production). 5 years later, it's finally available. Is it worth the wait and price of admission?? Well, that depends on why you are watching…

"Re-Kill" plays like an R-rated version of the TV show "COPS", following an elite squad of QUASI SWAT soldiers in a contaminated zone, fighting off seemingly endless hoards of zombies aka "ReAns" (short for Reanimated). The opening of the film is exciting, FULL of blood, bullets and gore. Since it plays like a TV episode, every 15 or so minutes commercials come on, a la "Starship Troopers" (still one of the best science fiction-horror-action films to date in my opinion), which are amusing and later in the film break up the bleak tone. It also peppers in personal interviews of our squads members throughout the movie, helping you (somewhat) get to know the guys who are doing all the shooting- and there is a LOT of shooting.

The film, shot in Bulgaria, has a generic but suitable look, fitting for a zombie apocalypse. After the first act (which has outdoor battles during the day), the film stays almost entirely gray, taking place in either the dark of night, in old run down buildings, underground corridors etc. Another issue is that everyone in the squad is wearing the same black SWAT uniform and helmet, so it's very hard to tell who is who, especially during the action sequences. There is a LOT of action in "Re-Kill", some of which is rather cool (especially in the big opening battle) but much of it is lost due to the shaky cam that plagues so many found-footage films. That being said, when it's not a "shaky cam" moment the movie looks good. There is a ton of action throughout the film- there is no shortage of bullets, blood or zombies (which are runners like in "28 Days Later", one of my favorite modern zombie films). I would love to know how many rounds of ammunition were used in the making of the film, it's probably in the tens of thousands.

The acting is adequate, but there isn't much for them to do besides fire their guns at the endless onslaught of zombies. Veteran B-movie actor Bruce Payne ("Passenger 57", "Highlander Endgame") is almost wasted (because there really isn't much for him to do) although he gives arguably the most memorable performance in the film as the religious zealot of the squad. Martial arts master Scott Adkins ("Undisputed" 2&3, "Ninja" 1&2) is the alpha male in the squad, and is totally wasted in the sense that he doesn't display a single punch, kick or flip- he just mows down hoards of charging zombies with his machine gun. I think its important to note that both of the aforementioned actors are supporting cast. The lead of the picture is the Sarge, chameleon actor Roger R. Cross (who has over 100 credits on IMDb), as the somber squad leader.

Recommended to fans of the genre, "Re-Kill" is a fast paced action-horror found-footage film, that focuses on action over scares. There is no shortage of carnage from start to finish. If you play video games, specifically first-person shooters, or enjoy the occasional found footage film (and not seeking an impressive martial arts display from Adkins or an intense monologue from Payne) give this movie a shot. It's a shame that this didn't release back in 2011 before the market was flooded with so many crappy low budget zombie movies. It's easily one of the better direct to video zombie movies to come out since the success of "The Walking Dead". It's a fun action packed, bullet and blood soaked, zombie filled 87 minutes and is a fairly fresh take on the zombie apocalypse.

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Re-Kill doesn't just employ average shaky cam, this is the shakiest cam that ever shakes. Being found footage doesn't exemplified the utter chaotic scenes, especially when the action starts and the editing shifts into drunken state. It's a shame since the movie has a couple of unique renditions of zombie genre that are funny in its satirical overblown tone.

Story mainly follows the squad of soldiers investigating new threat of Re-Ans (its witty attempt to not use the Z-word). The squad brings cameraman to capture the mission in episodic format, thus the mockumentary style. It also brings a few nifty humors with faux commercials and silly products in the interval of each Re-Kill episode. The social commentary about consumerism is blatantly crude, and it's by far the best aspect of the movie.

Some of these mock shows are excessively wild, but seeing how many shocking reality shows already on TV, it's ironically plausible that a channel might exploit zombie apocalypse. The action part could be decent as well. The cast of Roger Cross and Scott Adkins is fitting for B-movie gorefest.

To their credit, it's an above average in term of acting, and the plot can be immersive with its first person perspective. It already has a justification to use monologues in supposed interviews as well as the squad bantering masked as behind-the-scene. It's a surprisingly deeper premise than ordinary zombie outbreak. The clever outlandish tidbits are very enjoyable and strangely don't disrupt the pace too much.

However, the camera is where everything falls apart. It trembles frantically even in simple conversations. When the action hits, it turns into a mess of unfocused scenes, flailing random shots and choppy editing every half a second. This may just be random shots of walls or floor, or worse, the second coming of Aliens vs Predator : Requiem.

I've seen many found footage movies, it's understandable to have some jittery cam, almost expected in a dysfunctional way, but Re-Kill is utterly horrible and gave me actual headache. Re-Kill expects audience to tolerate its shoddy camera work, it's honestly almost unbearable to watch at some points and might very well ruin the movie.

As my title suggests, if you are a fan of the original Starship Troopers then this is a movie you will likely enjoy. It's a great spin on the (slowly getting tiresome) Zombie genre that had me laughing and, at times, on the edge of my seat, for the entire movie.

Without going into too much detail you get to follow along with a news reporter (yes, this means shaky-cam) as he is embedded with an elite group of zombie smashers. The story moves along at a brisk pace and the script, while atrocious at times, is mostly coherent and palatable. The gore is great, albeit overdone in some scenes. Where this movie shines is the FORMAT. Like with Starship Troopers there are cut-ins of commercials that are, at least to me, hilarious! If you can get past the shaky-cam being TOO shaky in some scenes then you just might find a movie that warrants a recommend to your friends.

The bottom line: If you loved Starship Troopers as I did, you will love this movie. If you like the Zombie genre, as I do, this is a different take on it with a few surprises. The effects aren't bad and the acting is slightly above average. Red Box it if you are a fan of the genre, you might just love it!

So I've been trawling through the zombie horrors as of late. By chance I happened upon Re-Kill, which I originally bypassed on release! I can still see why, but I found myself surprised by how well-executed the action/horror was. Drop the corny REC (Spanish zombie movie) dialogue, the First Person camera angles (which caused me some motion sickness) and a few pointless scenes here and there and this movie is actually a nod to '80s Paul Verhoeven sci-fi parody and Left 4 Dead multi-player gaming.

It's not there for the drama or to deliver a message, it's solely there for the experience and as zombie shoot-'em-ups go, it does a fine job when it gathers momentum. It just takes some effort to get there as a result of distracting cut-aways to scenes the movie didn't need.

What surprised me first and foremost, though, was its cast. Roger R. Cross never quite made the transition from TV face to movie lead since cult sci-fi series First Wave.

In Re-Kill he gets his own platoon and he kicks ass. His character is quite reminiscent of Tony Todd's performance in the 1990 Night of the Living Dead remake.

Also surprising was the return of '90s rent-a-villain Bruce Payne, who takes the crazy hero slant for once. He's still creepy as hell, though. And Scott Adkins, a martial arts action hero as a meat-headed SWAT trooper? He's pretty intense and very welcome for this one.

Some other actors could have done a better job, or simply not had a job. At first you won't know if Re-Kill is trying to be serious or just resemble the silly 3D movies they used to play at Alton Towers but eventually it comes into its own.

I just wish they had a director's cut with the idiot cameraman voice deleted, or rewritten and performed by someone who isn't irritating.

Good effort, just not a great contender!

I checked this out expecting the same old zombie apocalypse movie and that's exactly what I received. But with a small twist to this flick, it's shot entirely in reality show style. Now that is nothing new or anything because that's been done with zombies, such as the Spanish film REC and the zombie diaries. Now I'll say the reality show style here is not as believable as REC but it was well executed and delivered a nice twist to the movie it even includes commercials such as zombies apocalypse propaganda about re populating the earth, you know the good stuff. The plot is isn't anything to really talk about because it is what is, just a group of people killing zombies, running and hiding from zombies and being by eaten zombies.

But the acting is good, it's above average for this kinda movie and the special effects are well executed with a nice mix of practical effects and modern computer effects. Now the story gets a little boring in parts, the camera sometimes shakes a little to much and the propaganda commercials gets a little annoying at times. But overall not a bad movie just don't expect much from it and you might like it.