Army of the Dead : In the aftermath of a zombie outbreak, Las Vegas is isolated from the rest of the United States. The government decides to obliterate the walled-off city with a nuclear bomb to eradicate the zombies. Mercenary Scott Ward (played by Dave Bautista) is approached by former casino owner Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) to infiltrate the quarantine zone and retrieve money from his casino vault before the city is nuked. Scott must assemble a team, navigate through the zombie-infested city, break into the vault, and escape on an abandoned helicopter. However, complications arise when Scott’s daughter, Kate Ward (Ella Purnell), joins him on her own mission.
Release Date 21 May 2021 Language English Genre Action, Horror Duration 2h 28min Cast Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthi, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Raúl C, Huma Qureshi, Garret Dillahunt, Samantha Win, Richard Cetrone, Athena Peramplemore… Director Zack Snyder Writer Zack Snyder Cinematography Zack Snyder Music Tom Holkenborg Producer Deborah Snyder, Wesley Coller, Zack Snyder Production The Stone Quarry Certificate 18+
Despite some rushed character development amidst the action, the dynamics within Scott’s team are intriguing. Marianne Peters (Tig Notaro) and Dieter (Matthias Schweighofer) provide comic relief, while Lilly The Coyote (Nora Arnezedar) and Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick) contribute the expected aggression of trained soldiers. The emotional core of the film lies in the strained relationship between Scott and Kate amidst the chaos. Huma Qureshi’s portrayal of Geeta also plays a significant role. Dave Bautista delivers a strong performance, showcasing his versatility in action roles.
The inclusion of mostly unfamiliar faces in the cast adds unpredictability to the characters’ fates, effectively utilized by the screenplay. Zack Snyder’s involvement in multiple aspects of the film, including co-writing, producing, cinematography, and directing, is evident throughout. While his signature slow-motion style is present, it serves to enhance the narrative rather than being excessive. Snyder employs smart camera work, seamless special effects, and convincing zombie makeup to create a visually striking experience.
Snyder’s storytelling is engaging, even during exposition scenes, and the opening credits contribute to the narrative. Although the film’s nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime feels slightly lengthy, the diverse cast keeps it compelling. The introduction of a zombie hierarchy adds depth and tension to the story, particularly with the inclusion of faster and more intelligent zombies. While reminiscent of other sci-fi action-horror films, Snyder’s attempt to establish his zombie franchise shows promise with a thrilling and bloody start.
