Dead Snow

Nazi Zombies are back!

The nasty Nazis are back…in true walking dead fashion in this new hip swastika splatter movie that is as atmospheric as it is splatter-rific.

The living dead of the Nazi kind…whatta concept! Of course we all squirm at the aquamarine zombie storm-troopers of Shock Waves (1977), some of have a slow-grown affection to the European oddities of and Rollin's Zombies Lake (1980) and Franco's Oasis of the Zombies (1982) and some horror purists prefer to quote vintage creaky potboilers like Revenge of the Zombies (1943) or the British-made The Frozen Dead (1966).

So it's about time, amongst the seemingly endless shuffling parade of contemporary zombie movies (independent or otherwise), that Nazi Zombies were dug up and dusted down, and delivered in a blatantly, unashamed gory-as-hell horror movie….right where they belong!

The Norwegian made Dead Snow is a lively vacationing teenage students Vs onslaught of zombie nazis' movie…it is as simple and as complicated at that. While seeking snowboarding thrills on their Easter vacation in the snowy mountains a group of medical students find a treasure trove of nazi gold under the floorboards of their secluded log cabin (think of a snowed-in Camp Crystal Lake). During the midnight hours an eerie stranger calls by to warn the cool kids of local Nazi legends and of a pervading presence of evil. And soon enough squads of Nazi zombie storm-troopers arise and emerge from the surrounding forests…and close in.

Quite why they have become zombies is never really questioned…and is there any real need to? Swanky academic horror film connoisseurs beware…you may just end up having fun with Dead Snow. Following a predictable horror movie formula that's played out by standardised generic characters supported by a varied selection of well-timed fright-gags and outrageous splatter set-ups…Dead Snow rarely strays from this familiar comfort zone…however its been a long time since this well-worn ride has been this much fun!

Director Tommy Wirkola willingly accepts the guilty subject matter and is out to have fun showing energy, flair and visual imagination in delivering Dead Snow. The photogenic snow-dune and mountainous landscape is beautifully captured and the photography is icily crisp. Initially Dead Snow uses the isolation and claustrophobia to good effect and it appears that the option, at least, may have existed to maintain this threatening atmospheric style throughout…but no need for such seriousness…the stranded students soon accept their doomed predicament…and quickly become skilled (and imaginative) zombie killers thus allowing Wirkola to shift gears from atmospheric set-piece to cartoon gore romp…Outpost this aint!

It's a no-brainer…and its fun!

After an enthusiastic reception at Sundance in January Dead Snow is now thawed out and coming to UK DVD on 31 August from E1 Entertainment.

Let this be your guilty pleasure of 2009!

Though not thoroughly zombiefied….the Nazis are on the frog-march again in 2009 with Tarantino's forthcoming Inglorious Basterds and the Finnish logic-gone-loopy 'space nazis attack from the moon' venture Iron Sky.

And for those who haven't discovered it…yet check out Richard Raaphorst's promotional trailers of Worst Case Scenario on You Tube.

Review by Tristan Thompson