Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead [2014]

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Writers: Stig Frode Henriksen, Vegar Hoel, Tommy Wirkola

Genre: Action/Comedy/Horror

Starring: Vegar Hoel, Martin Starr, Jocelyn DeBoer, Ingrid Haas

Running Time: 100 minutes

Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead is the type of movie that will rip your arm off, pull your intestines out and then run you over with a tank — just because it can. Set immediately after the original film’s ending (there is a quick primer first just in case you need a refresher on what happened), it’s clear right away just what this much-anticipated sequel has in store. The budget is much bigger, the cast is larger, and the special effects are significantly improved. This is Dead Snow cranked to 11.

The sole survivor of the first film, Martin (Vegar Hoel), finds himself in a mess of trouble with the Nazi zombies once again. Now, rather than wanting to regain their treasure, the Nazis are determined to finish their original orders from World War II: to decimate the small Norwegian town of Talvik. This means everyone — the elderly, tourists and even infants are fair game in their full-on assault.

In order to combat the increasingly brutal invasion, Martin enlists the aid of the Zombie Squad, an American group of movie nerds that claim to be experts on the subject (after all, they have watched hundreds of zombie movies). Led by Daniel (Martin Starr) and his two female compatriots, Monica (Jocelyn DeBoer) and Blake (Ingrid Haas), this trio travels to the cold countryside of Norway to help even the odds. The Zombie Squad, Martin (now with an incredibly powerful new arm), and some unexpected zombie friends all work together to put a stop to the Nazi regime once and for all. In the film’s climax, we are treated to what is essentially a bizarro-verse World War II reenactment.

Red vs. Dead never takes itself seriously, and it’s all the better for it. It’s politically incorrect, it piles on the gore and even comes up with some inventive ways to kill zombies that quite frankly I had never seen before on film. As mentioned before, there is no bias as to who can be killed, so this can clearly offend certain groups. Then again, I can’t imagine anyone watching a movie about Nazi zombies who wouldn’t expect this type of content.

What’s great is that there is never a lull in the action. This is the type of film that even manages to make a trip to the hardware store entertaining. It’s clear that everyone involved is having a great time, and it really nails the perfect balance between horror and comedy. While Dead Snow was a strong film in its own right, the sequel just tops it in every way.

Obviously this will appeal to a very niche crowd, but if you’re into B-movies, gore comedies and just general horror entertainment, this is one that should not be missed. Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead has yet to get a proper release, but it should be hitting the market soon. Keep an eye out — you won’t be disappointed.

8/10





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