Gangs of the Dead (2006)

Gangs of the Dead (2006) Movie Info

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I’ve been watching urban horror films recently, mostly curious to see if there is anything worthwhile (or even just interesting) lurking in the junk. I have to admit, my standards for what I find enjoyable are pretty low – I’ll deem something worthwhile just because the costumes are crazy, or some actor gets off one really tight line, or just because I decide someone deserves an A for effort. Urban horror still has disappointed me greatly. But I am happy to report that Gangs of the Dead is a well crafted, enjoyable little indie film.

Basically, two rival gangs, one Hispanic and one black, plus assorted others (cops doing surveillance, some arm candy, a weatherman, and Reggie Bannister of Phantasm fame) are trapped together in the warehouse of a shabby local arms dealer while hoards of zombified homeless beseige them from outside. Who is more dangerous, the zombies or the humans? Obviously the set-up is not original, and Gangs of the Dead doesn’t go out of its way to surprise. But it is still a very solid, well made little zombie flick.

The zombies are old school: slow, dumb shamblers. I don’t mind fast zombies particularly, but I give bonus points for sticking to Romero Rules. People do stupid things, but it’s a horror movie so that’s par for the course. There is above average if stereotyped character development (good hearted crooks, hot tempered latinos, good girl, mouthy girl, harmless white guy nervous around swarthy people, etc.) and some quite passable acting, particularly when compared to other urban horror, or indie horror, for that matter.

I actually found some of the characters particularly the leader of the Hispanic gang, Cesar to be pretty scary in their violent stupidity, but in a believable “well, if they were bright and could plan decently they wouldn’t be dumb-ass street thugs” way, not in a “who scripted this bullshit” way. Not that the script is brilliant (I guess the slang is fine, I wouldn’t know, but the actual dialogue sometimes makes you go “whaaa?”), but it’s good enough to give you a sense of believable characters, so I’m not complaining.

While I found Gangs of the Dead to be light on the gore (what is the point of a zombie flick without outrageous flesh eating carnage?), the effects are pretty decent for this type of thing the CGI is used well and mixed with regular old makeup and prosthetics to good effect. The movie is polished and well put together (if predictable and formulaic). I was actually very surprised when I heard how low budget it was there have been a number of proper studio horror offerings in the last few years that haven’t held together as well.

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