Zombies (2018)

Zombies (Dir: Paul Hoen, 2018)

Girl meets zombie in this musical romcom for the tween set. 

Afraid of the undead? Fret thee not! As a Disney Channel Original Movie, the zombies in Zombies are only likely to induce fear in those terrified by the prospect of perky teens singing and dancing. 

Following a freak accident involving lime soda pop and a mysterious power source, half the population of the seemingly perfect but ultra-conservative town of Seabrook are turned into zombies. After creating havoc eating the brains of townsfolk, the zombie horde are eventually segregated behind a barrier, in their own Zombie Town. Characterised by their pale skin and green hair, the zombies are forced to wear a government issue uniform and keep within the boundaries of Zombie Town. 50 years later the zombies are no longer considered a threat to the community, thanks to the modern tech of  'Z-bands', an electro-bracelet that emits an electric pulse that stops them wanting to consume brains. The movie follows zombie teen Zed (Milo Manheim) as he enters previously off-limits Seabrook High School. Facing opposition from the humans, Zed finds an ally in sympathetic Addison (Meg Donnelly), a pretty cheerleader who does not fit in among the pastel coloured populace of Seabrook. A Zombio and Juliet romance develops as hostility to zombies mounts, especially from Addison's zombie hating parents, desperate for their daughter to blend in. Can the two overcome their antagonists and unite Seabrook? Is this a Disney Channel Movie?!!

Zombies is a lot of fun. The production is good, the song and dance numbers are slickly handled and the clean cut teens are a likeable bunch. While the human/zombie romance is fairly novel, there is little else original in the movie. In actuality this is the High School Musical formula with a zombie overlay. However, its proves a robust formula and happily Zombies still feels pretty fresh. The themes of integration and accepting people (and zombies) for who they are is anything but subtle. Yet, these are ever important messages. The movie certainly means well and if it gets its point across, albeit heavy-handedly, than so be it. 

I have admitted to having a soft spot for Disney Channel movies in the past. For me, they channel the energy of the fluffily enjoyable formulaic Disney comedies of the 70s that I loved as a kid. As Disney’s cinematic schedule become ever more dominated by mega budget remakes and superhero epics, the lightweight output of the Disney Channel seems refreshing simple. No one would claim Zombies is a masterpiece, but it sets out to entertain and in this it succeeds. If you enjoyed High School Musical (Kenny Ortega, 2006) and Descendants (Kenny Ortega, 2015) than Zombies should be right up your alley.