Howdy. It’s your neighborhood feline fetcher again. It appears Cult is taking part in a spot of home improvement, sweating buckets and cursing with a brush in hand. So, what better time than now to snag a comfortable spot on the couch, a mountain of delicious treats (the majority of which fresh from the ‘hood’ with the fur removed, naturally) and the remotes? I’ve a towering stack of movies from which to choose. What say we give this a view?
Dead Shadows (France) 2012
Written by Vincent Jule
Directed by David Cholewa
Runtime – 75 minutes
DC Medias
Section 5
Poop, it appears I’m watching a feature with SUBS. I should probably grab my glasses lest I lose myself in a mire trying to decipher what’s taking place in a language I know very little of. I’m back* (I couldn’t find my glasses I had to borrow some I feel sorry for the poor bugger who finds these once I’m through). Here goes nothing…
Chris is a well-mannered kid stuck in the wild streets of Paris. Yea, it really isn’t like its depicted in the slightest. Surrounded by drug dealers, junkies and various other dubious types he finds himself stuck indoors, most of the time. His dilapidating anxiety doesn’t help the situation any. Enter Claire (the hot neighbor). She has a thing for our intrepid hero and zero qualms about displaying her intentions. Somehow Claire manages to talk Chris into attending a block party. Did I forget to mention there’s a comet on the way? It’s close, and many fear it will bring the end of the world with its passing (or collision). The party is a celebration of such an event (but wouldn’t a family BBQ suffice?)
Much like the commencement of the Aussie shocker “Undead” (is there any questions as to where this movie is headed, seriously?) the comet brings a certain something with it. In this case people are “changing”. Chris witnesses an early indication though partially puts it down to (probable) visions caused by a spiked drink he’d downed only moments before (he’d decided to attend the party after all). Strange incidents continue, those around him turn increasingly more violent, apathetic and display tendencies of the transformation type (start music*…”robots in disguise”) with a Lovecraftian slant. Yes, kiddies, there’s plenty of tentacles wriggling across the screen in this feature.
Separated from his “date” he finds himself witness to a scene of rather disturbing alien “rumpy pumpy”. A scene which would put a certain Mr. Holmes to shame (any fans of depraved 80’s porn here?). He scampers away only to find himself eventually cornered by a collective of phallic monstrosities. With his fear of the dark (yet another thing, the exact term for which I can’t be asked to research at this time, to add to his list of phobias) the least of his worries he passes out. What happened in his unconscious state is anyone’s guess but it’s safe to say from this juncture that he gradually matures. Finding himself paired with an enigmatic Canadian brandishing a katana he ventures outside; an arena in which all hell has broken loose. Is this due to the comet or the sudden influx of bottled water finding its way onto grocery shelves by way of Flint Michigan? This is anyone’s guess.
Is climate change to blame, asbestos or Black Metal acts with a member within its ranks having a penchant for Nazi memorabilia? Flip a coin, roll a dice, Paper, Rock, Scissors. I’ve no idea. Though the comet is, undeniably, the bet to put the coins upon. (I’ve found that my narrative path has veered, let’s get back on track). Outside. Ah yes. It’s dark (obviously) and our pair are quickly discovering the streets are a little busier than normal with loitering riff raff (did I mention Cult is a Brit I know he’d love to rip this French feature to shreds for obvious reasons). Not to worry, this is where the baseball bats, shotgun and the glorified stick with a sharpened, shiny, edge come in handy (and the film suddenly takes on a video game aura, for a little while, anyhow). Chris discovers his hidden talent as a ninja with baseball bats, but is it too little, too late? Just how far will our heroes get? What’s happened to Chris’s date? Did the comet hit? Has Flint water taken the place of Perrier as the aqua of choice? So many questions, to which I’m not going to supply the answers.
Though in typical Cult fashion (no spoilers, all tease) I will comment on the qualities of the film itself.
For a low budget affair, it delivers the goods. In between CGI sequences and practical FX scenes it provides enough beasties and crimson chunky delights to quench the thirst. Did I mention tentacles, yep! There’s plenty of them. Obviously not as many as Slither (bearing in mind the budget discrepancies) and the beasties aren’t quite as impressive and in the same quantity as that witnessed in Skyline but they suffice. There’s plenty of rotting ghouls on offer (I wouldn’t deem them zombies so much as “possessed” forms) and the FX in this regard are passable also. I would’ve liked to have seen more steaming entrails and dismemberments but you can’t win em’ all! The multitude of fight scenes are a nice touch with an added bonus being the fact that the main character isn’t super-powered but rather somewhat relateable; sporting an everyday Joe lacking cardio and niggling medical issues which don’t help his quest in the slightest.
Dead Shadows is immediately likable and engrossing. It unfolds at an exciting rate, and only builds as the film nears its climax, introducing the characters (along with mannerisms which are slightly off from the very get -go), the films location and the impending scenario adequately before all manner of putrescent viscera hits the fan at an alarming rate. The direction is worthy of note, the film flows in an easy to understand manner and tension builds in the appropriate places aided by a soundtrack which is epic, though rarely overbearing.
The sequences of found footage are injected nicely adding a “Rec” (the Spanish version not the lackluster US ripoff) feel and undisputable evidence as to Chris’s extra-curricular “blackout” activities. Amidst the many commendable scenes, most of which aren’t suitable for work, small fluffy animals or grandparents there’s one in particular which shows the turning point of the main character (have I said too much already?) Exhaustion transpires into acceptance, denial then rage. A powerful scene if truth be told which might confuse at first though makes sense as the film heads, accelerating in momentum, towards its climax.
For a feature which delicately balances Sci-fi and Horror elements the result is commendable with neither aspect overpowering the other (yes, there’s aliens and bloodshed). My only qualm lay in the film’s abrupt conclusion and its running time (a mere 75 minutes). There could have been more avenues explored within this time though bearing in mind the budget I’m of the opinion that Dead Shadows fares well (there’s plenty of scenes to widen the eyes) parodying the appearance of a feature with decidedly more funds to splash around. I’m intrigued as to what the same crew could do with a few more stacks of green to play with.
Until then this will certainly whet the intrigue and will most likely pry open at least a few of the many doors required to glimpse at the light, success, stacks of cash and wild parties (featuring the finest drugs and illicit vice) which fuels every budding director’s dreams.
7.8 (Cult loves to leave a score and so shall I)
B
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