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The Mad (2007)
Being a big fan of zombie movies I'm always skeptical when it comes to new direct to DVD's featuring our favorite flesh eaters. There has been about a billion different takes on the zombie subgenre itself, and that's not even counting the zombie comedies that have been released over the years. But the mad is a pretty decent one that I would put over the majority of said films. It's comical, gory, and promises to be a fun flick that doesn't take itself too seriously. One of the things that I found to be funny about The Mad was the fact that it stars Billy Zane from such films as Bloodrayne and Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight. But I really have to give him credit as not only is he pretty good in this, but it's very different from the roles that you usually see him in. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mr. Zane in a few more comedies in the near future as well.
The Mad is a story about a father, his daughter, his bitchy girlfriend, and his daughters dipshit boyfriend. One day they are eating at a fine truck stop dining establishment where people become flesh eating zombies upon eating the burgers that the place serves. The meet comes from cattle at a local farm in which the meat is infected with some kind of virus. Nonetheless people eat the burgers, become zombies, and of course hilarity ensues. There are a few moments of overall lame comedy, but most of it is at least somewhat funny as it's a sarcastic, yet somewhat over the top movie that really delivers.
This was the first work that I've ever seen from director Johnny Kalangis, but I thought overall he was a pretty fair director for this one. He shows promise as he understood what was important about a zombie comedy. It's entertaining, it brings some gore, and manages to have something behind it other than blood and guts. Therefore exceeding the crux of the other zombie comedies that have been released in general. If you've ever seen a film called "Dead & Breakfast" before then you will really enjoy this one. Although I would most likely say that this one was a little bit better than that.
Finally I would say that The Mad is worth checking out, it's worth the rental fee and the hardcore zombie fans may even want to add this one to their collection. If you are even a remote Billy Zane fan you'll enjoy this one to, and with not too much good stuff on the rental shelves in the stores these days this will satisfy most horror fans. RECOMMENDED.
Rating - **½
-Ed Demko
