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First, let me say that this is in fact NOT a zombie film. I know it's called Vengeance of the Dead but trust me on this one! The original title, Sleep Walker is much more fitting but what are you gonna do? Either way, VotD is a smart and very well plotted ghost story in the vein of The Shining, sharing its overall creepiness and a tale of possession from beyond the grave for the purpose of revenge.
Losing sleep and having trouble staying in touch with reality, Eric does his best to stay entertained with his Grandfather, but that's when the sleepwalking begins. Eric comes to realize upon waking up that he has been sleepwalking and venturing outside, but has no recollection of where he has gone...or why. What is troubling though is the appearance of a serial arsonist who is torching the dead in their graves and the living in their homes. Is there a connection between these crimes and Eric's wanderings? And if there is, why?
All in all, this is the best release I have seen from Tempe Entertainment, and it made me want to track down other Three A.M. productions. I didn't have to look too far though, because included on this DVD was the earlier short film, Schrek, from the same talents who brought VotD to life. Not to be confused with the annoying green ogre, Schrek tells the tale of a group of youths who use a séance to reanimate the dead Nazi war criminal Schrek, of whom they are fans. This short was one of Three A.M. Productions earliest works and it does show it, but also manages to be more than it should. Great and inventive death scenes combined with the fact that the crew of the film are also the actors, makes this one to watch for all budding filmmakers.
I was so impressed with Vengeance of the Dead that I watched it twice through immediately, and I think it should have a home in every collection of horror cinema or independent film.
-aaron-
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When
you hear the term "b-rated movie" you generally think of
some haphazardly thrown together film made either to show the boobs
of wanna-be starlets, or a first attempt at filmmaking from some college
kids who have invested more in latex and corn syrup then they have
in story or plot. But every now and then someone comes along
and reminds us of what b-movies are all about; the chance to make
a film regardless of the budget or financial backing and the pouring
of one's energy and love onto film. Vengeance of the Dead,
while titled as the former, is most definitely a fine example of the
latter! This is a wonderful example of what can be done with
a little budget but a lot of talent.
Eric
is visiting his Grandfather in the out-of-the-way town of Harvest.
It has been a while since he has visited and he intends to stay for
a while this time and catch up. But very soon after his arrival,
he is troubled by some strange dreams...or are they visions?
He begins to see a little girl, who may be only a figment of his imagination,
but it seems she does want to tell him something. More
troubling however are recurring dreams of a family being attacked
and murdered in their own house by a group of masked men.
Vengeance
of the Dead is in one word, believable. We believe that Eric
is seeing his Grandfather for the first time in years, and their conversation
is uncomfortable and awkward as they talk of his late Grandmother.
The conversations all seem legitimate and I think the writing as well
as the acting bring this film a sophistication that most low budget
work trades for "look how gross I can be". The story is
complex, and unravels like a good mystery with the use of flashbacks,
dream sequences and cryptic messages from the dead. The characters
dialog is used to inform, not to entertain or fill time.