Good movie but grossly overrated

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Ever since Shaun of the Dead, anyone and everyone thinks they can make a zombie comedy. They're wrong and this lame waste of time proves it. What people miss is that Shaun is a traditional zombie film with comedy elements. When something tries to be comedic, like this mess, it usually doesn't work. Poor acting, bad directing, some lame effects and stupid ideas make this the terrible waste of time it is. I'm sure when the screenplay writers got together and lit up that bowl of cheap weed, they thought it was hysterical. Too bad any hilarity that existed didn't make it to the screen. A comedy is supposed to make one laugh, not sigh with relief when it's over. Watch only if A)You don't own Shaun on DVD or B) you're too drunk or high to care. This is bad enough to be one of the 'movies' the formerly known as the Sci-Fi channel shows on Saturday.

Normally, I am so tired of zombies these days, I skip such films. But this time, I'm glad I didn't. Bored and lazy at 2:00 in the morning, I saw nothing interesting on the tube, so I said what the heck, I'll check it out before I crash. It turned out to be quite funny. The goofy characters approached over the top, but in an affable way. Think of your craziest real-life acquaintances thrust into an even crazier situation. I liked the artificial graininess imposed over the film like worn black and white stock. And the hokey lighting was perfect vintage '50s monster movie. Also, the soundtrack was a gas - rock Christmas music played in creepy minor keys. All in all, a good time, with a lot of laughs.

the dialogue in this movie is very well written and the janitor actor sells the whole thing with his performance. Everyone else is what you would expect from an indie film but he steals the show. Gore and dialogue are the key reasons to see this. its indie film making done right. This movie will fit in perfectly with my collection of Christmas horror movies and becoming essential viewing over the holidays. The people behind this seem very talented as the gore effects all looked great and the one liners hit more often than not. I liked the part where the janitor was passed out and the drunk was moving his lips and talking for him, twas priceless. I had a great time and this movie fits in well with newer grindhouse-esque slew of indie films as well as all of my holiday favorites.

Zombies are a given but the characters still need to stick to some kind of personality, some basic persona with unflinching motivations. The fake cop breaks character after entering the school. First he's the bad guy apprehender. Then he's the guilty guy who accidentally killed his cat and then he's just a scared guy who wants to escape. But the real king of character changes is the janitor. He's aware that they need more weapons, and some real cops (not just the fake one they have). But both times he tries to call 911 he can't complete the deal. Instead of letting the school security girl have her routine fact finding, he hangs up even though it closes out his hope that she'll call the cops if there's a real need. Rather than this being an inconsistency in his character, maybe he's just a little impatient. But after they have the showdown at the professors office and half of them are dead or infected they run downstairs and the janitor is the one who no longer feels outnumbered and outclassed. Now he wants to stay and fight even though they have no weapons and no hope. It's totally against everything he said in the film up to that point. Total personality reverses are harder to take than slobbering mauling zombies so I bailed. But now I wonder how it turned out.