AAH! ZOMBIES!! seems to be somebody's idea of a good time but I'm afraid I found it a complete dud of a film. As a zombie movie it features a couple of actors dressed in zombie make-up but they don't look or act like any kind of zombie you'll recognise. The horror content is nil and as for the comedic value, I'm afraid I didn't laugh a single time. The whole thing is cheapjack nonsense with the bare minimum of actors and talent involved.

Talk about wasting a good idea ... well a pretty good idea! And the second star I gave this movie, relies only on that "new" perspective on zombies. While I had read and heard, that the movie tried to do something different than other zombie movies, I hadn't read what it was they were trying to do.

And it was good that I didn't. Because for 30 sec there, I was really delighted. The 30 sec. being the ones, right after I realized what the big twist of the movie is (I won't spoil it, if you don't already know it). Problem being though, that after those initial "fun" 30 sec (and before those 30 sec. too, if you will),there is a really annoying movie. A movie that tries so hard to be funny, that you almost feel sorry for it, because it really tries.

But it just doesn't cut it. Of course you could argue, with the fact, that it has a pretty good general voting here and it even won in Sitges (I seriously don't know, what they were on, but there you go with tastes!). But then again, they must really dug the idea that much that they forgave the amateurish acting, the jokes that just couldn't (deliver) and inconsistencies that can make your head spin around ... in a bad way! Stereotypical and just plain flat, handling the idea with little to no care, just to make a joke or two ... While having the charisma of a dead corpse (note: not an undead one, because they actually might have some left ...)

Independent/small movies need our support ... but they also need to get their ... act together, so that there is something we can cheer for! Look at "Right at your door" for Low Budget perfection! Or the British "Salvage"!

A barrel of toxic goo turns four friends into zombies. However, the quartet are initially unaware that they are zombies and therefor perceive uninfected humans as bad and weird. Director Matthew Kohnen, who also co-wrote the witty script with Sean Kohnen, ingeniously turns the standard zombie horror premise on its moldy rotting ear by presenting the zombies as sympathetic protagonists who the audience identifies with and roots for as they stick together and do their best to avoid being killed by the living; one can't help but feel sorry for this appealing undead bunch as they display tremendous courage, loyalty, and resourcefulness while under constant duress. Moreover, Kohnen relates the nifty story at a snappy pace, delivers a goodly amount of suitably cartoonish gore, and ably mines a crafty and amusing line in engaging offbeat humor. The excellent acting by the tip-top cast keeps the picture humming: Matthew Davis, Julianna Robinson, Michael Grant Terry, and Betsy Beutler are fine and likable as the four main undead characters; they receive sturdy support from Colby French as tough army dude Nick Steele, Richard Riehle as the huffy Colonel South, Jack Orend as the arrogant Dr. Richter, Joel McCrary as smarmy rich cad Mark Kanan,and Tracey Walter as the cranky Mr. Whicks. Allan Fiterman's crisp cinematography neatly alternates between color and black and white. The appropriately over-dramatic score by The Newton Brothers hits the stirring spot. However, it's the sly way that this movie manages to wring loads of laughs and pathos from the unusual situation that in turn makes this film so special and winning. A highly welcome and refreshing departure from standard zombie fright fare.