Yes I know I only gave it 2 stars, but bear with me. If you know who Bruno Mattei is, then see this! It's hilarious for any zombie-movie fan.
Here are some Things I Learned from Island of the Living Dead:
1) If the opening to Lucio Fulci's Zombie is good, then repeating it three times in a row is even better!
2) Damage from a zombie uprising is indistinguishable from earthquakes.
3) Catholic churches are often underground, and are decorated with images of the Grim Reaper
4) Filipino natives often wore Conquistador armor, or dressed like Spanish ladies with mantillas.
5) If you are not looking at a pack of zombies, they immediately vanish.
6) It's easy to make a raft with no tools but a hammer.
7) Boats have a self-destruct button. It's red, and explodes the whole boat instantly.
Here are some examples of Great Dialogue from this movie:
"I know you're the best carpenter I know of."
Girl "Tao sacrificed himself for us – we have to go back!" Guy "No, Tao sacrificed himself for us – we have to run away!"
Tough Guy offers arm to zombie "Go ahead! Have a bite!" Zombie *chomp* Tough Guy "Argh!"
Bruno Mattei stole scenes from Night of the Living Dead, Lucio Fulci's Zombi (repeatedly), and even his own film, Hell of the Living Dead. But in each case, the theft was in some way inept. For instance, Mattei steals the scene in Lenzi's Nightmare City when the characters encounter a priest in an abandoned church and accost him. But when the priest turns around, he's a zombie. But in this movie, the characters are on an island completely uninhabited by humans, and the person they mistake for a "priest" is wearing a filthy black hooded robe. Is that how priests dress? Why would they expect a priest? The answer - they wouldn't, but this movie doesn't care.
It makes so little sense that one plot point, to which attention is drawn several times, is that the zombies are only out at night. Except that we see zombies in the daylight throughout the movie. It's like Mattei can't remember his own dialog.
Frankly, I can't wait to see Zombies: The Beginning. If it's anything like Island of the Living Dead, it will make for a huge treat.
Hilariously bad. Watch with a friend.
Here are some Things I Learned from Island of the Living Dead:
1) If the opening to Lucio Fulci's Zombie is good, then repeating it three times in a row is even better!
2) Damage from a zombie uprising is indistinguishable from earthquakes.
3) Catholic churches are often underground, and are decorated with images of the Grim Reaper
4) Filipino natives often wore Conquistador armor, or dressed like Spanish ladies with mantillas.
5) If you are not looking at a pack of zombies, they immediately vanish.
6) It's easy to make a raft with no tools but a hammer.
7) Boats have a self-destruct button. It's red, and explodes the whole boat instantly.
Here are some examples of Great Dialogue from this movie:
"I know you're the best carpenter I know of."
Girl "Tao sacrificed himself for us – we have to go back!" Guy "No, Tao sacrificed himself for us – we have to run away!"
Tough Guy offers arm to zombie "Go ahead! Have a bite!" Zombie *chomp* Tough Guy "Argh!"
Bruno Mattei stole scenes from Night of the Living Dead, Lucio Fulci's Zombi (repeatedly), and even his own film, Hell of the Living Dead. But in each case, the theft was in some way inept. For instance, Mattei steals the scene in Lenzi's Nightmare City when the characters encounter a priest in an abandoned church and accost him. But when the priest turns around, he's a zombie. But in this movie, the characters are on an island completely uninhabited by humans, and the person they mistake for a "priest" is wearing a filthy black hooded robe. Is that how priests dress? Why would they expect a priest? The answer - they wouldn't, but this movie doesn't care.
It makes so little sense that one plot point, to which attention is drawn several times, is that the zombies are only out at night. Except that we see zombies in the daylight throughout the movie. It's like Mattei can't remember his own dialog.
Frankly, I can't wait to see Zombies: The Beginning. If it's anything like Island of the Living Dead, it will make for a huge treat.
Hilariously bad. Watch with a friend.