State of Emergency (2010) (DVD Review)
Directed By: Turner Clay
Starring: Jay Hayden, Andy Stahl, Tori White
Rated: UR/Region: 1/Widescreen/Number of disc: 1
Available from Image Entertainment
After an explosion unleashes the contents of a military bio-weapons plant, the unsuspecting populace is transformed into a roaming army of flesh-eating zombies. Trapped in the quarantine zone, Jim (Jay Hayden, A Warrior’s Heart) finds himself cut off, confused and fighting for his own survival. Contacted by a small band of others unaffected by the toxins, Jim sets out to reach their besieged warehouse. Becoming the group’s de-facto leader, he struggles to keep order as they hunker down, fortify their stronghold and arm themselves against the attacking mutants. Fragmentary radio reports from outside hint at a last-ditch government rescue plan. But can the survivors hold out until help arrives… or will they succumb to the living hell of an undead apocalypse?
State of Emergency is coming along in the middle of the current zombie love fest in the horror world. And taking a note from The Walking Dead the film gives us more drama than zombies. It also gives us people that I’d call infected instead of zombies and they even have gnarly red eyes like the folks from 28 Days Later. I wouldn’t dare say that this movie doesn’t bring anything to the table, but it does lack in the excitement front and the true horror area. It feels more like a drama and it at times seems a little too typical for its own good.
Still I’d call State of Emergency an underwhelming but watchable film. It is also a film that goes somewhat against the norm for the ending which is always a welcome turn. The acting doesn’t hurt anything, however I do I ponder if these characters should be spazzing out over candy bars in the middle of the apparent zombie apocalypse. So if you are a fan of zombie films and want to toss another on your list give this one a chance. If you are tired of it then you may want to pass this one up for now.
– Making of
– Trailer
