Patient Zero

There isn't anything new here and it has all been done a lot better before, but it isn't awful and considering the budget I'd call it OK.

They have borrowed a lot from other movies but primarily from Resident Evil (2002), although the limited budget means that it isn't on anything like the same scale.

If you do something that has very much been done before you need to have some twist or gimmick and here there is neither and the end leaves much to be desired as well.

If the ending had had a twist or at least tied it all together then this could have earned a couple of points more, but as it is you should only watch it if - like me - you watch everything with bio-weapons and even then there are very many movies that should be higher on your list like: Outbreak (1995), Contagion (2011) or 28 Days Later (2002) to name just a few that are in a similar genre.

We've seen it before. Scientists creates virus. Virus creates zombies. Zombies create chaos. However normally the story isn't told with this much precision and in such a tight little package. After a brisk beginning, we slow down for a bit (but not to a halt) for some nice levity and character development, but as soon as the facility is "locked down" and the tactical team shows up for quarantine, the ride begins.

Good performances all around, especially from Slagle and Quattro, and some fun sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat and hugging the nearest pillow. Recommended.

Alright, this was not very much of a fresh look on the Virus movie, but still it kept me somewhat entertained for the time it took to indulge a warm meal and surf some on the phone.

I would not recommend it but I would not discourage anyone from watching it either.

Kind of bland.

Actually I will start out by saying that "Biohazard: Patient Zero" turned out to be somewhat better than I had initially anticipated. True that I didn't have much hopes for this movie, fearing that it would be yet another one of those low budget zombie movies with awful make-up.

However, "Biohazard: Patient Zero" turned out to be entertaining enough. And while it wasn't as much of a zombie movie as I had hoped or would have liked, it still proved to be a watchable movie.

The story is quite simple, actually. It is about a Dr. Jonathan Wright (played by Brandon Slagle) and Dr. Jenna Barnes (played by Amanda Phillips) who works at a genetic research facility. However, they do more than just simple genetic research here, and when the bio-weapon is compromised, the entire facility comes under lockdown, and there is suddenly a real threat to the lives of everyone trapped inside.

I will say that despite the simplicity of the storyline, then director Brian T. Jaynes actually managed to turn it into something that was entertaining enough.

The movie, however, just wasn't outstanding or particularly memorable. I had expected more of a zombie movie, whereas "Biohazard: Patient Zero" turned out to be more of an outbreak movie. Sure, there were some infected people (or carriers) seen as the bio-weapon was released, but it just wasn't enough to keep a seasoned gorehound like myself satisfied. The ones that you see are merely just people with bloodshot eyes and theater blood on their faces and bodies. Of course, it would be like this as the outbreak had just started, but I just would have liked to have seen something more.

As for the acting in "Biohazard: Patient Zero", well it was adequate. Although you shouldn't set yourself up for some award-winning performances here.

All in all not an overly memorable movie, but still entertaining enough for what it was and for what director Brian T. Jaynes accomplished to muster together with fairly limited resources.

"Biohazard: Patient Zero" scores a four out of ten stars rating from me.

First off, this is not connected to the Resident Evil franchise, nor should the title throw you off in case you're thinking of the original title of the franchise, Biohazard. This is an independent take on the genre of bio weaponry and government conspiracy, plain and simple. It's very scientific with necessary awkward moments that are showcased nicely with a decent acting performance.

This film is an hour and 8 minutes long, and as short and sweet as the running time, the plot is straightforward, but that's the plot. This short underground film is meant to administer a cerebral punch to your thinking brain if you pay close attention to the dialogue.

If anything, this alternate version of something made popular is best seen as a homage to anything and everything zombie fandoms that mostly involve a scientific explanation. This isn't a zombie flick nor an attempt to do something better than what's out there. Underground films and fan-made material can surprise you with the detail between the plot scenes, but most people fail to appreciate certain entertainment products. This movie's an example of this. The writers and producers had a mandate to ensure that this was not designed for general appeal, which means mediocrity isn't fit to criticize unless you speak the language of the themes of the movie. It also manages to keep the zombie genre fresh by using a simplistic script design.

This deserves a solid 8.