Almost all of the characters in "Dead Set" are the cast and crew of Britain's "Big Brother," who soon find themselves trying to survive an ever increasing number of ravenous undead. As usual, they pose almost as great a threat to themselves as the zombies do. The living made me recoil in disgust more than the zombie guts and gore. With just 2 or 3 exceptions, the cast of characters are a real miserable bunch of cretins. So, I was rooting for the zombies within minutes. For that reason, a big part of the suspense was, which one of these creeps will get slaughtered next and how deliciously gruesome will their demise be?
Although I've never willingly watched an entire episode of Big Brother (I truly hate all that "reality" drivel), I understood the premise...the social commentary in this film. I would love it if the zombies who watch that trash would turn against the real life reality show miscreants. That would be an episode I'd pop some corn for.
So, the characters are compelling mostly by being irritating, with a few exceptions. In addition, the story, which is just another variation on the usual zombie fare, is well written, including the dialogue, which is believable throughout. There's a bit of dark humor here and there and several unexpected character based twists. The director and production team did a fine job; the TV actors are very good; and the zombie make up and gore are excellent. Most of all, the drama is compelling and the plentiful action is exciting. And the ending was just plain crazy!
I'm a zombie genre lover and have watched the undisputed greats as well as lots of low budget garbage, hoping for some level of entertainment. I've been rewarded, I've been disappointed and I've gotten angry. So, as zombie movies go, this is one of the best limited budget offerings I've seen. I'm giving it 8 stars out of 10 partially for it's few flaws, buy also because many of the characters were just so unpleasant to watch.
Nonetheless, worth another watch, I'd say.
Although I've never willingly watched an entire episode of Big Brother (I truly hate all that "reality" drivel), I understood the premise...the social commentary in this film. I would love it if the zombies who watch that trash would turn against the real life reality show miscreants. That would be an episode I'd pop some corn for.
So, the characters are compelling mostly by being irritating, with a few exceptions. In addition, the story, which is just another variation on the usual zombie fare, is well written, including the dialogue, which is believable throughout. There's a bit of dark humor here and there and several unexpected character based twists. The director and production team did a fine job; the TV actors are very good; and the zombie make up and gore are excellent. Most of all, the drama is compelling and the plentiful action is exciting. And the ending was just plain crazy!
I'm a zombie genre lover and have watched the undisputed greats as well as lots of low budget garbage, hoping for some level of entertainment. I've been rewarded, I've been disappointed and I've gotten angry. So, as zombie movies go, this is one of the best limited budget offerings I've seen. I'm giving it 8 stars out of 10 partially for it's few flaws, buy also because many of the characters were just so unpleasant to watch.
Nonetheless, worth another watch, I'd say.
