Let's see... We've had Nazi zombies, zombie beavers, Cuban zombies, Russian zombies, Aussie zombies, zombie strippers, retired zombies, zombie toddlers, intelligent zombies, mockumentary zombies, space zombies, ex-girlfriend zombies, drug-addicted zombies, football zombies, political zombies, cowboy zombies, zombie nerds, Lederhosen zombies, etc. I could probably list another dozen of variations and then simply add "And now we also have zombie boy scouts" at the end, but the point is rather clear. There's an oversupply of zombie comedies in all kind of shapes, settings or specific situations.
I really don't want to sound like a sourpuss, because most of these films are well-made and reasonably entertaining, but the issue is that they are fundamentally all derivative, mundane and tiresome. Without even looking at the trailer, social outcasts turn into unlikely saviors because their geeky habits come in handy, bullies and other loathsome townsfolk attack them in nasty zombie versions, and the biggest dork of the bunch gets to kiss the high-school princess at the end.
Of course, I'm well aware that we don't necessarily watch these "zomedies" for their innovative and intellectual plots. We watch them in the hope of seeing excessive gore, gratuitous sleaze, and maybe even a handful of memorable moments or ingenious gimmicks. Even in this area, "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse" is seriously lacking if you ask me. The gore is adequate enough, although too much special effects are computer-generated, and the girls in the cast (Sarah Dumont, Halston Sage, Niki Koss...) are yummy. There's also a great scene with cats' eyes, but that about wraps up the good news. Where were the stand-alone splatter/comedy highlights? I only remotely chuckled with the Dolly Parton references and the one scene where one of scouts can't resist fondling Missy Martinez' giant fake zombie breasts. Embarrassing moments, on the other hand, there are plenty. It's a stupid sight to see a living corpse sing Britney Spears' greatest hit, and penis-stretching is simply infantile. And yes, I do realize I sound like a sourpuss now, but how disrespectful is it to cast the legendary Cloris Leachman ("The Last Picture Show", "Young Frankenstein", "Dying Room Only", ...) as a toothless old hag who tries to bite a teenager's butt?
I really don't want to sound like a sourpuss, because most of these films are well-made and reasonably entertaining, but the issue is that they are fundamentally all derivative, mundane and tiresome. Without even looking at the trailer, social outcasts turn into unlikely saviors because their geeky habits come in handy, bullies and other loathsome townsfolk attack them in nasty zombie versions, and the biggest dork of the bunch gets to kiss the high-school princess at the end.
Of course, I'm well aware that we don't necessarily watch these "zomedies" for their innovative and intellectual plots. We watch them in the hope of seeing excessive gore, gratuitous sleaze, and maybe even a handful of memorable moments or ingenious gimmicks. Even in this area, "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse" is seriously lacking if you ask me. The gore is adequate enough, although too much special effects are computer-generated, and the girls in the cast (Sarah Dumont, Halston Sage, Niki Koss...) are yummy. There's also a great scene with cats' eyes, but that about wraps up the good news. Where were the stand-alone splatter/comedy highlights? I only remotely chuckled with the Dolly Parton references and the one scene where one of scouts can't resist fondling Missy Martinez' giant fake zombie breasts. Embarrassing moments, on the other hand, there are plenty. It's a stupid sight to see a living corpse sing Britney Spears' greatest hit, and penis-stretching is simply infantile. And yes, I do realize I sound like a sourpuss now, but how disrespectful is it to cast the legendary Cloris Leachman ("The Last Picture Show", "Young Frankenstein", "Dying Room Only", ...) as a toothless old hag who tries to bite a teenager's butt?