Walking The Dead (2010)

Zombie movies are an undeniable trend on big screen right now and Hollywood isn't the only source for these gore-iffic flicks. The trend has spread worldwide, and the latest release from Australian director Melanie Ansley is a zombie flick that is unconventional to say the least.

Walking the Dead focuses on the story of Charles, a Western reporter who, after a breakdown at work, exiles himself to a small remote Chinese village. While there he discovers strange goings-on, like people acting more like puppets than humans. After hearing of a man who kidnapped his own niece and buried her alive, Charles goes after the story, hoping to salvage his long-dead career. Eventually Charles intercepts the girl's mother, Anna, who is hysterically trying to find her child before it's too late, and she informs Charles of the town's terrible secrets. Walking the dead is a practice known to few, which involves raising the dead and controlling their bodies via the eyes. The reanimated corpses are out for blood and it becomes a struggle to stay alive for not only the buried girl, but also Anna and Charles.

The cast of this film is largely unknown to Canadian audiences. Ted Biggs plays Charles, but his overacting largely contributes to the confusion of the film. Fan Wei Don takes on the role of Anna, the mother of the buried girl, and does a competent job of playing the wizened local. The cast is rounded out by Li De Hai as the uncle, whose role is small yet important as he seems to be the only character driving the plot forward.

Everything about the film is confusing. Characters names are seldom used, the plot is choppy and all over the place and there is a severe lack of details given to the audience. It becomes so difficult to follow that you're not really sure what the movie is even about. The editing is poorly done and the continuity, or lack thereof, only adds to the confusion of the film. The DVD contains no special features, other than a widescreen option. The only thing there is plenty of in Walking the Dead is blood and gore. Over-the-top violence and grisly, gruesome shots make this flick verge on the side of nauseating.

If all you want is to see some gory, grisly deaths and creepy Chinese zombies, then this movie might be worth watching. But if you're looking for a coherent storyline with a neat and tidy resolution — or a plot that can be followed — then this movie is not something you want to spend your time watching.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars