16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
So-so horror-satire, April 20, 2003
Zach Galligan's acting career peaked with "Gremlins" and its sequel. Since then, he's done mostly straight-to-video horror and sci-fi schlock, including getting top billing for "Infested." After viewing "Infested," I can definitely say that Zach Galligan's resume is not going to gain any more prestige from this straight-to-video horror-satire fly-zombie flick.
I've read some prior reviews of "Infested." Some people absolutely hate the movie, saying it's a horrible excuse for bad CGI work and an inane, boring plot. Other reviews see it as a great example of social satire wrapped in a silly horror movie. I fall somewhere in between.
The first half of the movie is actually fairly entertaining. After a rather amusing graveside service, a group of old college friends gather at the home of their recently deceased former friend. They hang out, talk about the good old 80's (!) and regret their choices in life. It's all very reminiscent of "The Big Chill."
To gauge the tone of "Infested," one can reference the scene in which a character proudly holds up a .45 record, saying, "Does anyone remember these?" He proceeds to play the record and, instead of a golden oldie, we're treated to "Da Da Da," the song by Trio that gained popularity by its inclusion in a Volkswagen commercial! It's a silly song, a "classic" for this group of socially-stunted individuals who pine for their former glory. Dammit, it's funny.
Of course, a movie about killer flies wouldn't be complete without the killer flies. They eventually make their appearance (after a very gratuitous breast shot of a thirtysomething woman) and the fun turns to horror--albeit for about 15 minutes of the movie.
In this 15 minutes or so, we see several nice "ewwww!" scenes, including a girl getting blood puked on her, a decapitation after a severe and squirting neck wound, a crowbar through the side and a really nasty leg infection with flies growing in it. There's also a shower scene (sadly, no nudity from cutie Amy Jo Johnson of "Felicity" and "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers") replete with a swarm of flies. The dialog is appropriately goofy, including such memorable ones as "They don't strike me as ordinary flies." Dammit, it's funny!
So there's the first half of the movie. I was fairly impressed at this point. I mean, sure, I knew it wasn't going to win any awards, but it was cruising along nicely. The direction is serviceable, the acting was pretty darn good (from Galligan, the aforementioned cutie Ms. Johnson and Robert Duncan McNeill of "Star Trek: Voyager") and the gore effects were pretty impressive.
However, about 45 minutes in (30 minutes of "The Big Chill Redux" plus 15 minutes of the fly attacks), the movie quickly goes downhill. The majority of the last half of the movie involves the surviving characters fending fly-zombies off with torches and running around outside and inside the house trying to decide what to do. There's no suspense, and the comedic element is gone for all practical purposes. The gore is non-existent as well. In addition, there's a "surprise" revelation toward the end which is relatively boring and cringe-inducing. I have a pretty good feeling that it was supposed to be played for humor, but it was only worthy of a yawn.
One other note: Zach Galligan is a decent enough actor. In addition, He's a pretty nice guy. I actually talked to him one night in 1986 or so as he was waiting for a cab on 86th and Broadway in New York. So my advice to him is simply this: get a new agent, buddy. You deserve better.
First half of the movie: 4 out of 5 stars. The last half of the movie: 1 out of 5 stars. As a result, my final rating: 2 out of 5 stars. Rent it.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Can't believe I bought it !!!, March 5, 2003
I cannot believe I actually bought this DVD after reading everyones ratings ! lol
I live in the uk and ordered it from Amazon.com... I put it on last night and fell asleep after 30 mins (can't believe I lasted that long).
If you want a funny film buy Camp Blood or Killjoy (both are really bad films but contain bad acting), this film has good actors and tries to be dung and funny and it does not work, its just boring.
Sorry to seem a bit of a killjoy myself but wouldn't want to see anyone step into the same trap as me, I do enjoy dung films but I have started to try and improve my collection as I have had enough ribbing from my mates for a bad collection, this is bad !
I have Bloody Murder 2 on order ! Didn't realise it was related to Scream Bloody Murder (how thick of me!), can't wait to watch that !!!
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