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Like many low-budget horror films, EYES OF THE DEAD is a movie that I am fond of as it tries a lot more than its means can fulfill. EYES OF THE DEAD is told from the advanced viewpoint of a farm owner which is experiencing difficulties in his marriage, and for some reasons, he is in the middle of what appears to be a zombie apocalypse. This film, set in a mockumentary style tackles the age-old struggle between humanity and the zombie horde on a personal level. The EYES OF THE DEAD protagonist is trying desperately to escape government officials who have figured out it is too late to contain the outbreak and instead keep trying to take out the zombies as they are turning people to the undead one munch at a time. What makes this story even more intense is that the main character is constantly on the very edge of Letting the zombies turn him into an undead himself.
Even though a zombie apocalypse story is extremely popular, the way this story is told is utterly different. Not only do we see the entire thing through the eyes of Eddie (who is also the writer and director Ben Samuels), we also get to see him turning into a zombie. (This is no spoiler, as the opening sequence has Eddie chasing his wife and friends around the house in an undead state). Of course, this combines two of the most relied on tropes in the last fifteen years in horror, zombies and found footage. EYES OF THE DEAD, however, stays true to its vision and works with this idea without deviating from it at any point.
EYES OF THE DEAD captures a sunset angle that magnifies a painful story surrounding a marriage. This film is unforgettable, thanks to the superb acting from most of the cast, the clever camera tricks, and the technical masterfulness used to craft an illusion of an extended uninterrupted shot from a single perspective. It is, as I say, no walk in the park, and while the chances are high that you have seen a similar film before, I stand by my recommendation of EYES OF THE DEAD because the technique and skill it required is something to be admired, which I believe goes for every film enthusiast.
While our protagonist Eddie (writer/director Ben Samuels) guides the movie, in the beginning of the film Eyes of the Dead, Eddie is revealed to us intimately. Eddie’s life is a mess his marriage is strained, er, he witnesses a drone going haywire and ruining his crops, unscheduled agents popping out from nowhere attempting to intervene, followed by some good, old-fashioned zombies zealously chasing him. Of course ol’ E-man’s family and friends end up holed up in his farmhouse as the shambling dead charge ever forward. Will they survive the onslaught or will they end up a feast for the flesh chewers?
The frightening reality is that we’ve already seen glimpses of what’s to come and still have no anticipation. However, how it’s illustrated is certainly something new and different. Wonderfully eloquent monotony and boredom mixed with loud noises and blood gushing all in a single take that literally has you hooked through the screen. (Let’s be honest, even the thought of a gimmick that has no context itself is infuriating).
Eyes of the Dead, in its entirety, has the aesthetic of a first-person video game and accomplishes the goal it sets out to perfectly. Caught up in the storyline, the audience is left with jaw dropped and eyes wide open.
Take into account great cinematography, such as that point of view shot where I thought I was going to pass out because the all-you-can-eat shrimp felt a bit dangerous, but thankfully there was no vomit in sight. Add in some great character work, like the anguishing personal drama leading to the marital strife which was tragic enough to add some much needed weight to the flesh tearing that was happening. Mix in some entertaining groovy practical effects and we have ourselves a kickass zombie film!!! And let me tell you, there was also a very fun twist I felt added even more to the narrative but you’re going to have to see this one for yourself to know what I mean.
Eyes of the Dead does the near impossible, it takes the hoary ol’ zombie genre and breathes some dynamic new life into its shrivelled lungs with a slick concept, great acting and camera work, and some decent effects to boot! Now set those eerie eyeballs on this one post-fuckin- haste.
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