DEAD SNOW

Norway is not exactly renowned for its filmic output. In fact, it's more famous for things like 80's pop band "A-Ha", Jarlsberg cheese, and the humble paper-clip. But for horror fans, it has been continental Europe (and the Far East) that has produced some of the finest horror movies in recent years, with originality that the US can only dream about. So as Hollywood continues to serve us endless franchise sequels and remakes, here we have an intelligent, darkly humorous and very bloody fright flick, from our Scandinavian cousins. I hereby introduce to you the sublime Nazi zombie epic "Dead Snow".

Any movie that is willing to go out on a limb, and serve up its first death scene to the deliriously loud thrashings of the BBC's Scottish Symphony Orchestra performing "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" from the opera Peer Gynt, is clearly aiming higher than most, and isn't afraid of piquing its audiences intelligence. As it is, the first four minutes start out in audacious style, and never let up! It is here that we see a young Norwegian woman being chased through a dark, snowy forest, by an unknown presence, until she is brutally caught by an - as yet unseen - force, and cannibalised upon. We jump to the opening credits, and with a pinch of Norway metal music, we are slowly introduced to our heroes and heroines: seven young Medical students, taking an Easter holiday in the peace and tranquillity of Øksfjord.

Arriving at their snowbound cabin, they set about enjoying themselves with a much-deserved break, a game or two of Twister, and copious beer-consumption. Only when a local tourist pays them an warranted visit for coffee and a quick ghost story, does the story begin to unfold its magic on us, as he warns them that the area is haunted by dead World War II German soldiers. Something very evil and brutal kills the tourist off, before turning its attention to the students.

Whilst this kind of film plot has been seen many times before, and is even playfully referenced by Roy, (actor and co-writer Stig Frode Henriksen), who challenges the other cast members to name the films in question, it's the way that this film is played-out for us, that makes it such great entertainment.

Director Tommy Wirkola and co-star/co-writer Henriksen clearly had one intention for their work: to provide maximum entertainment, whilst trying to aim for some originality in the overburdened world of the horror genre. In the film's short 88-minute duration, they succeed for the most part. Any faults, would be nothing more than unnecessary nit-picking. With horror fans desperate for any new works that show originality, we are willing to forgive anyone with ambition, and Wirkola gives the audience plenty to chew over.

Initially, the film blends atmospheric photography of snow-bound Norway forests and mountains, showing the beauty of the surroundings, whilst underpinning just how far from civilisation the students actually are. (I'm sure that this will be even more potent in the Blu-Ray release!) A brief sex scene, in an external, wooden outhouse, is playfully twisted, whilst being tender and genuinely emotional, more so because it shows the geek of the group actually enjoying an unintended quickie. (The plot mentions that film-geeks don't get laid, but rewards us and him, with some tenderness.) And it's not long before one of the group goes missing - via the toilet! Similarities to "The Filthiest Toilet In Scotland" in "Trainspotting" soon come rushing to mind, and for good reason, as viewers will see!

Thereon, something malevolent attacks the cabin, and the attacks turn sickeningly chaotic.

If you are looking for graphic gore and violence, you will find a shockingly large amount of innovative death scenes, from eye-gougings, decapitations, chainsaw mutilations, through to more sophisticated killings like death by snowmobile, bayonet through the eye socket, and a nasty mountain climb via human intestines! It isn't long before the snowy country canvas turns dark crimson, and body parts are being scattered in every direction.

I cannot recommend this movie enough! It is, quite simply, one of the sickest, most darkly comedic zombie horror films I've ever sat through! Not only are we given a reason for the zombie attacks, but the attacks are intelligent enough not to insult the audience, even if it may not be wholly original. (Elements of "The Evil Dead", "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre", "Cross Of Iron" and "Friday The 13th" abound, but the film is no less enjoyable.) If anything, the gore is so unrelenting, that at times even hardened SGM-readers will be shocked at just how relentless the death scenes become! Trust me, when I say that hands will cover mouth on at least a couple of occasions.

This film is a real gem, and although some may be put off by the fact that it is in Norwegian with English Subtitles, don't! It's a truly jaw-dropping cult film, and deserves all the viewers it can! The majority of the cast appear to be unknowns, outside of their native territory, but all put their heart into this movie, and come out very well indeed. The men are not overtly macho, nor too dumb, and show sensitivity and emotional intensity to their roles, whilst the women are neither bimbos nor whiny whores, (which is what many US-horror films would have made their roles). If anything, the women come across far stronger than the guys, in the roles they play, and the way they deal with what goes on around them, whilst retaining that uncertainty and naivety that students of their age would probably experience. The group gel nicely together, and act well, given their lack of previous roles.

The effects are predominantly make-up based, rather than CGI, and are highly effective, even compared to some of the greatest horror movie FX ever produced. The zombies are genuinely nasty, and with minimal dialogue, take viewers to the edge of their seats, in some stand-out scary moments. There are costume flaws, (noticeably the lack of actual rank insignia), but this can easily be forgiven. It is clear who is the leader, and what their intentions are, so their actual rank is relatively unimportant. The blood is realistically coloured, so that wounds, limbs and death are realistically disturbing, without the comical nature and tone, as seen in many recent Japanese movies (e.g. Tokyo Gore Police). If anything, I am quite surprised of the brutality shown, that the BBFC have given this an uncut UK home viewing release. With the recent banning of "Grotesque", the violence shown here isn't as sadistic, but it is no less brutal for it.

My singular complaint, is regarding the layer-break transition in the film. Whilst not the worst I've ever seen, if the transition was performed a few moments earlier on in the film, it would have been a little less noticeable.

On top of the film, which is in a pristine anamorphic widescreen 1.85:1 print, with both DD5.1 and Stereo soundtracks in Norwegian (alongside clear, simple English subs), there are plenty of extras too. A feature-length documentary about the making of the film, featuring interviews with the cast and crew; special effects and make-up featurettes; trailers and a small behind-the-scenes documentary about the film's reception at this year's Sundance Film Festival. With over 80 minutes here, this rounds off the disc nicely, and makes this a good value for money retail release, that puts many others to shame!

I really hope this is the beginning of a very successful career for the director, and he is the new Peter Jackson of Norway. Anyone who can produce a work mixing WWII Nazi's, the zombie genre, and the beauty of little old Norway, deserves something great to happen to them in the future.

Buy this disc now, and you won't regret it! Currently available for less than a tenner in most stores on and off-line!

Review by Pooch