Review: Army of the Dead

Director: Zack Snyder

Screenplay: Zack Snyder

Year: 2021

In the midst of a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries is hired to enter a zombie-infested casino to recover a large sum of money. The mercenaries must fight their way through the zombie herds and be well paid for accomplishing their goal, but they face a threat they have not faced before. 

"Army of the Dead" is one of the most anticipated horror films of this year. One of the reasons is for being a project of the acclaimed director Zack Snyder, responsible for films like "Watchmen", "300" and "Justice League". Another reason is that we haven't had a major release in the zombie subgenre since “Zombieland: Double Tap” back in 2019. To clear up some doubts before continuing, by name and because Snyder also directed the "Dawn of the Dead" remake, it has been rumored that this film may be tied to the successful trilogy of George Romero, but it has nothing to do with these films.

The first thing I should mention about “Army of the Dead” is that this is not a movie to take seriously. Its plot is quite absurd and is designed to suspend reality and enjoy it for what it is: a festival of blood, violence, and special effects. If accepted for what it is, "Army of the Dead" is a fun zombie movie.

The next thing I should mention, which is more of a warning, is that ladies and gentlemen tighten your seatbelts because this movie is almost two and a half hours long, specifically 148 minutes. The question that many will ask is, did this movie need to be that long? Well, the answer is a resounding no. In fact, its long extension is its biggest problem, since many parts feel unnecessary in the story and too much comic relief is used that does not always fulfill its purpose, putting a lot of dead time between action scenes and mistreating its rhythm, which may have been one of his greatest virtues, as evidenced in these scenes.

Where "Army of the Dead" shines is in the gore and violence. Sure, with a budget of about $70 million, the special effects, both practical and digital, are expected to be of high quality and are undoubtedly one of its strengths. Blood gushes out, we witness dismemberment, beheadings, and bites in great detail, proudly earning the R rating.

"Army of the Dead" arrives as one of the most anticipated horror films of this year, but it will not go as one of the best. Its outrageous violence and excellent special effects and audiovisual elements make it a nonsensical fun movie, but it doesn't offer much more than that. It is an ideal movie for when you want to see something funny and superficial where you don't want to think much, that of course, if you are willing to endure the unnecessary two and a half hours of duration and ignore the multiple holes in the story.