Dance of the Dead (2008)

Directed by: Gregg Bishop | 84 minutes | horror, comedy, adventure | Actors: Jared Kusnitz, Greyson Chadwick, Chandler Darby, Carissa Copabianco, Randy McDowell, Michael V. Mammoliti, Mark Lynch, Justin Welborn, Mark Oliver, Blair Redford, Lucas Till, Hunter Pierce, Jonathan Spencer, Stephen Caudill, J. Jacob Adelman , James Jarrett

Anyone who regularly watches teen films knows that the life of an American schoolboy has no greater peak than prom night, the farewell ball at the end of the school year. It all listens closely. The tuxedo, the dress, the corsage. The partner choice. The vehicle in which you make your entrance and in which you can lie down afterwards – if you are lucky – fidgeting with your date. Everything has to be perfect. If not, you’re in for a shambles that you’ll often explain to the psychiatrist later on. It is therefore quite bummed that the dead in ‘Dance of the Dead’ choose the evening of junior prom to come to life. But hey, it does make for an entertaining movie.

One after the other gala-goer falls prey to the zombie army, but luckily they rise again in time to continue their way as well-dressed undead. A successful scene also shows that an infected partner does not have to be an obstacle to having a pleasant evening. You forgive director Gregg Bishop that this concept was stolen from ‘Braindead’. Meanwhile, the remaining high school students led by underachiever Jimmy (an endearing Jared Kusnitz) remain remarkably laconic about the invasion. Teens with bad haircuts turn out to be heroes and kill the undead scum with flair. It turns out that Bimbos have balls after all. And if flair and balls don’t help, you can also work wonders with an electric guitar.

‘Dance of the Dead’ is best described as ‘Pretty In Pink’ with zombies. Adolescent problem meets Peter Jackson: being in love with the prettiest girl in the class, being bullied, being detained… and taking out zombified classmates. The film’s biggest assets are the charming young cast and the fun with which the film was made. Wonderful, a horror film that starts without further ado (the strong opening scene literally cuts in) and keeps the pace until the end. It’s also nice that Bishop doesn’t stretch the film unnecessarily, but finishes it on time. Add to that a few good jokes and undead that tear themselves apart like bloody chewing gum, and you have a successful evening. Okay, ‘Dance of the Dead’ is not that original, but you could also call the film an ode to the classics.

‘Dance of the Dead’ isn’t “one of the greatest horror comedies of all time” as the DVD cover exults. He loses to ‘Shaun of the Dead’. Against ‘Bad Taste’ too. So what is ‘Dance of the Dead’? A very good mid-range engine! In fact, the further the film progresses, the more slices are added. And that’s what the average horror fan is all about.