Fido
I'm interested to hear what fans thought of this flick...
Here's my review:
Hmmm... this movie seems to have absurdly high reviews all around. From pro to other flixers, this film seems to have been worldly loved. I didn't hate it, but I thought it was far too muddled to give more than just a so-so rating. Fido is a zombie comedy that takes place in a universe where the undead menace have become domesticated ala 1950s style. A long zombie war has transpired and now the survivors live in little communes that are protected by the almighty corporation that not only protects the world, but also has many useful products for modern day living. That includes a collar that keeps zombies from devouring you and allows you to use them essentially as brainless slaves. Into this world, a young boy meets a zombie and befriends him... and finds the love he doesn't get from his distant father. The problem with this film is that it wants to do too much. It's a satire and a parody... and takes a shotgun approach to everything from the zombie film genre to 1950s consumerism. So, the end result is diluted to a point of it being simply a film that makes you giggle about the zombie genre twist. Which is a shame because there were points in this flick that I really thought it was going to rise above all that and become a great film. And to add insult to injury, Billy Connolly isn't even given a line. Sacrilege. One of the most under-appreciated talents today is reduced to grunting and groping like a background schmuck. What a waste. Anyway, I love zombie flicks and so I enjoyed this one... but I don't think it was particularly amazing. I would give it a mild recommendation to fans of the genre.
*******
What'd you think?
Here's my review:
Hmmm... this movie seems to have absurdly high reviews all around. From pro to other flixers, this film seems to have been worldly loved. I didn't hate it, but I thought it was far too muddled to give more than just a so-so rating. Fido is a zombie comedy that takes place in a universe where the undead menace have become domesticated ala 1950s style. A long zombie war has transpired and now the survivors live in little communes that are protected by the almighty corporation that not only protects the world, but also has many useful products for modern day living. That includes a collar that keeps zombies from devouring you and allows you to use them essentially as brainless slaves. Into this world, a young boy meets a zombie and befriends him... and finds the love he doesn't get from his distant father. The problem with this film is that it wants to do too much. It's a satire and a parody... and takes a shotgun approach to everything from the zombie film genre to 1950s consumerism. So, the end result is diluted to a point of it being simply a film that makes you giggle about the zombie genre twist. Which is a shame because there were points in this flick that I really thought it was going to rise above all that and become a great film. And to add insult to injury, Billy Connolly isn't even given a line. Sacrilege. One of the most under-appreciated talents today is reduced to grunting and groping like a background schmuck. What a waste. Anyway, I love zombie flicks and so I enjoyed this one... but I don't think it was particularly amazing. I would give it a mild recommendation to fans of the genre.
*******
What'd you think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Headcheese on -
I actually really liked this movie and found it to be very light-hearted and sentimental which is definitely different for the zombie genre but I don't think it's a great movie. Yes I'm with you and thought it could have risen to greatness with a little less humor and more seriousness regarding the subtext but maybe that is not what it wanted to be in the end. I like it for the fact that I think for kids (the younger set) it's a zombie movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family without scaring the crap out of the children. It's a good way to expose your children to the zombie genre as opposed to my having to start with the scary Romero's Night of the Living Dead which is what I had to do for my kids. Honestly though, I enjoyed the look of this film and all performances involved. I do understand your point of view though but I think this movie definitely has it's place cemented in this sub-genre. Plus did I say it's still a different twist and just a cute watch? lol
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Permalink Reply by Jimmy and Carla H. well mostly Jimmy on -
oh i liked it, but y'know, i like a whole lotta crap! ...i wish i could disagree, i thought it was great, but anything with zombies and production values pretty much does it for me. I think my review said something about it attempting to be a zombie movie whose balls have rotted off.
I would think Billy C. was wasted, but just his appearance in the film almost made zombies legit, that's gotta be worth somethin' right?
(wow! the number one reviewer is posting in the zombie group!)
thanks col!
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Permalink Reply by Carrie on -
I thought I was part of that discussion and I really liked it. Oh I forgot, I am wrong about everything so don't listen to me.
Seriously, I liked it and own it.
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Permalink Reply by Headcheese on
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I know! Jimmy, doesn't the Colonel lend us some definite street/review cred for our zombie group? I'm glad to have him here! lol
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Permalink Reply by Eclipsed on -
I enjoyed this movie. I think I might of gave it 4/5 stars on my Netflix account.
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Permalink Reply by Alec Pridgen on -
I really liked it. I appreciate good satire when it is grounded enough in reality. This was one such film.
I can get how people might be upset by Connelly not speaking, but I considered it to be an acting challenge for him. Hell, my favorite horror film performance ever- Vincent Price as Dr. Phibes- is done as a mime performance to pre-recorded dialogue.
I hope as time goes by that this movie gets more recognition quite frankly. Maybe if Dylan Baker is the villain in "Spider-Man 4" that will help.
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Permalink Reply by Eclipsed on
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hmm I keep hearing of this The Abominable Dr. Phibes movie.. I have to put it on my list and watch it. I love Vincent Price and also i heard this one best ones he did.
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Permalink Reply by Alec Pridgen on
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I definitely recommend "Dr. Phibes." The film is just great. The fact that you can get and the sequel (not as good, but still recommended) on one disc is just fantastic.
Incidentally, I would say that Anton Phibes qualifies as the smartest zombie in film. Considering how he comes back in the sequel, he is the walking dead for sure.
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Permalink Reply by Headcheese on
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Indeed Leah! Nice post.
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Permalink Reply by Randal on -
The first time I watched it, I liked it but thought it was a little dull and maybe forgettable...like a few of you here have said, it seemed like it could have "risen to greatness" but didn't. It was very well made and had a good look to it. HOWEVER, I ended up catching it a second time and must say I appreciated it quite a bit more. The performances were good and full of subtle touches I missed the first time. It's definitely dry humor that seemed to have to "grow on me".
I didn't feel it was all that diluted. The social commentary was there, as all good zombie films should have, and surely over shadowed by the "zombie genre twist" but I felt it meshed together well. Loved the 50's setting! Billy Connolly's performance was good, one didn't need dialog to get what was going through his mind so that wasn't really a downside for me.
I agree that it's not great but would recommend it...and if your at least mildly entertained the first viewing, give it a little while and check it out again, maybe it will grow on you too. (BTW, the attraction between Fido and the kid's mother... hilarious!)
"Don't forget the head coffin!"
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