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Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane
New Line // Unrated // October 2, 2007
List Price: $19.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
"It's an entirely different kind of flying altogether!"
So, which is the dumber title, the groan-worthy punny "Plane Dead" or the sloppy, overlong double-named "Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane"? However you call the movie (the former was the film's original international title; the latter was how New Line rechristened it for Stateside distribution), it's just Zombies on a Plane, and that tells you all you need to know.
The admittedly goofy picture doesn't quite come with the unashamed self-aware B-movie sensibilities of "Snakes on a Plane" (ah, but then, what else could?), and as such it never becomes the sort of balls-out fun its premise suggests. But it's still plenty enjoyable as a beer-and-pizza, Friday-night-with-the-pals flick, the sort of thing you can get by with only half-watching, tuning in for the mayhem, tuning out for the filler.
The setup: the government is using a commercial transcontinental flight to transport the coffin of a woman infected with a mysterious zombie virus. Needless to say, there's a thunderstorm, turbulence, and a whole lotta shakin' goin' on, eventually resulting in Zombies on a Plane. (For those keeping score: these are Fast Crazy Zombies, not Slow Bumbling Zombies.)
Beforehand, there's the usual overlong exposition in which we meet all of our stock disaster movie characters: the surfer dudes and their bitchy girlfriends; the slick-talkin' prisoner and his cop escort; the professional athlete and his wife; the sexy flight attendants and handsome pilots; a couple of tough guys; and, of course, a nun. Oh, and the crazy scientist who came up with the zombie virus in the first place, just so we can have a human villain to boo (and, later, cheer when he's devoured). They're all affably played by third/fourth/fifth-tier stars like Dale Midkiff, Erick Avari, Richard Tyson, David Chisum, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Kristen Kerr.
The movie never really tries to be frightening - it's more after fast-action and quick-gore thrills, the sort of thing that gets horror fans smiling (with, not at). There's zero suspense on hand. As such, things only really click when the script takes a lighthearted approach toward the material. The convict tosses up some goofy banter; a few of our heroes crack wise; a handful of comic touches are thrown in for good measure (after shooting a zombie in the groin for fun, one hero quips, "Two in the chest, one in the balls, that's what I say"). Much of the zombie attacks are in good, dirty fun, and the mayhem is plenty enjoyable.
But just how much filler does a movie like this need? Apparently unaware that they can amp up the camp factor without much damage to their final product, the filmmakers stay far too serious for far too long, both in a stretched-out opening act with lots of boring characters doing boring things and in repetitive cutaway scenes to Washington, with military officials discussing the virus and, later, what to do with the infected plane. These moments play it too straight, and frankly, nobody watching Zombies on a Plane cares about that sort of thing (or, more importantly, there's nothing here to get us to care). There are no memorable non-zombie moments here, and considering the monsters don't appear until a third of the way through the picture, that's a problem.
With a heavy thumb on the fast-forward button, however, "Flight" becomes a moderately zany gorefest, enough to make good on a lazy weekend. Call the pals over, pop some brews, and don't bother trying to keep up with the boring parts.
The DVD
Video & Audio
Things look fine in a clean, if mildly unimpressive, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) transfer. It looks as solid as a newly-minted medium-budget horror flick should. The soundtrack comes in three flavors: Dolby 5.1, DTS-ES 6.1, and Dolby 2.0. All three sound very good, especially the surround tracks, which make excellent use of the booming, grunting effects work. Optional subtitles are provided in English and Spanish.
Extras
Two commentary tracks are featured. The first, with director Scott Thomas and producer David Shoshan, is rather dry, with plenty of gaps in the discussion. The second features IGN.com editors Steve Horn, Eric Moro, and Christopher Monfette; I'm not sure why these guys are here ("to provide the fan perspective," they half-jokingly suggest, although one has to wonder, what fans? The movie just came out!), but their patter is usually a hoot, with talks of drinking game rules and which actress is hotter.
An outtakes reel (3:29) has a few silly moments but it otherwise typical gag reel junk. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.
Hyped on the disc is a collection of DVD-ROM extras, although those turn out to just be a couple of web links. Snooze.
The disc wraps up with a collection of trailers. These trailers also play as the disc first loads; you can skip over them if you wish.
Final Thoughts
Chances are, if you're interested in a movie called "Flight of the Living Dead," you're bound to enjoy at least part of it. Not enough for repeat viewings, mind you, but enough to Rent It for a fun Friday night.
So, which is the dumber title, the groan-worthy punny "Plane Dead" or the sloppy, overlong double-named "Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane"? However you call the movie (the former was the film's original international title; the latter was how New Line rechristened it for Stateside distribution), it's just Zombies on a Plane, and that tells you all you need to know.
The admittedly goofy picture doesn't quite come with the unashamed self-aware B-movie sensibilities of "Snakes on a Plane" (ah, but then, what else could?), and as such it never becomes the sort of balls-out fun its premise suggests. But it's still plenty enjoyable as a beer-and-pizza, Friday-night-with-the-pals flick, the sort of thing you can get by with only half-watching, tuning in for the mayhem, tuning out for the filler.
The setup: the government is using a commercial transcontinental flight to transport the coffin of a woman infected with a mysterious zombie virus. Needless to say, there's a thunderstorm, turbulence, and a whole lotta shakin' goin' on, eventually resulting in Zombies on a Plane. (For those keeping score: these are Fast Crazy Zombies, not Slow Bumbling Zombies.)
Beforehand, there's the usual overlong exposition in which we meet all of our stock disaster movie characters: the surfer dudes and their bitchy girlfriends; the slick-talkin' prisoner and his cop escort; the professional athlete and his wife; the sexy flight attendants and handsome pilots; a couple of tough guys; and, of course, a nun. Oh, and the crazy scientist who came up with the zombie virus in the first place, just so we can have a human villain to boo (and, later, cheer when he's devoured). They're all affably played by third/fourth/fifth-tier stars like Dale Midkiff, Erick Avari, Richard Tyson, David Chisum, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Kristen Kerr.
The movie never really tries to be frightening - it's more after fast-action and quick-gore thrills, the sort of thing that gets horror fans smiling (with, not at). There's zero suspense on hand. As such, things only really click when the script takes a lighthearted approach toward the material. The convict tosses up some goofy banter; a few of our heroes crack wise; a handful of comic touches are thrown in for good measure (after shooting a zombie in the groin for fun, one hero quips, "Two in the chest, one in the balls, that's what I say"). Much of the zombie attacks are in good, dirty fun, and the mayhem is plenty enjoyable.
But just how much filler does a movie like this need? Apparently unaware that they can amp up the camp factor without much damage to their final product, the filmmakers stay far too serious for far too long, both in a stretched-out opening act with lots of boring characters doing boring things and in repetitive cutaway scenes to Washington, with military officials discussing the virus and, later, what to do with the infected plane. These moments play it too straight, and frankly, nobody watching Zombies on a Plane cares about that sort of thing (or, more importantly, there's nothing here to get us to care). There are no memorable non-zombie moments here, and considering the monsters don't appear until a third of the way through the picture, that's a problem.
With a heavy thumb on the fast-forward button, however, "Flight" becomes a moderately zany gorefest, enough to make good on a lazy weekend. Call the pals over, pop some brews, and don't bother trying to keep up with the boring parts.
The DVD
Video & Audio
Things look fine in a clean, if mildly unimpressive, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) transfer. It looks as solid as a newly-minted medium-budget horror flick should. The soundtrack comes in three flavors: Dolby 5.1, DTS-ES 6.1, and Dolby 2.0. All three sound very good, especially the surround tracks, which make excellent use of the booming, grunting effects work. Optional subtitles are provided in English and Spanish.
Extras
Two commentary tracks are featured. The first, with director Scott Thomas and producer David Shoshan, is rather dry, with plenty of gaps in the discussion. The second features IGN.com editors Steve Horn, Eric Moro, and Christopher Monfette; I'm not sure why these guys are here ("to provide the fan perspective," they half-jokingly suggest, although one has to wonder, what fans? The movie just came out!), but their patter is usually a hoot, with talks of drinking game rules and which actress is hotter.
An outtakes reel (3:29) has a few silly moments but it otherwise typical gag reel junk. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.
Hyped on the disc is a collection of DVD-ROM extras, although those turn out to just be a couple of web links. Snooze.
The disc wraps up with a collection of trailers. These trailers also play as the disc first loads; you can skip over them if you wish.
Final Thoughts
Chances are, if you're interested in a movie called "Flight of the Living Dead," you're bound to enjoy at least part of it. Not enough for repeat viewings, mind you, but enough to Rent It for a fun Friday night.
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