Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead has been entertaining Netflix viewers since its release in May but some have raised a few issues with the movie before its sequel Army of Thieves
Zack Snyder, known for his work on Watchmen, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, showcased his cinematic prowess on Netflix with the 2021 post-apocalyptic feature.
Army of the Dead is a zombie heist movie boasting a stellar cast that has kept audiences riveted. A critic on Rotten Tomatoes described the film as an “unusual creation,” but found that it surprisingly comes together well for them.
Their review read: “Very unusual production. The director plays with many motifs and genres here, creating a very unusual creation that, despite its quirks, works perfectly, not only laying the foundations for a new universe well but also introducing a lot of threads that will provide food for all theory fans. Time loop? Aliens? It’s all here.”
Set against the backdrop of a Las Vegas now desolate and swarming with zombies due to a catastrophic government failure, the plot unfolds. A wealthy casino owner has millions stashed in a vault, and a band of mercenaries possesses the necessary skills to recover it.
Risking it all, they embark on a perilous journey into the infested territory, aiming to execute an audacious financial heist. They are enticed by the billionaire’s irresistible offer to retrieve the cash before the US president executes a plan to obliterate the city overrun by zombies, reports the Mirror US.
A critic said: “Zack Snyder’s ridiculously entertaining latest is a zombie heist movie with gore at its core.”
Meanwhile, one cinema-goer conceded the film was “not great,” but confessed they still had “a lot of fun.”
Despite a brief stint in US cinemas, coinciding with its digital debut on Netflix, ‘Army of the Dead’ clinched victory in the Oscars Fan Favorite contest at the 94th Academy Awards. During that fleeting theatrical exposure, the movie pocketed $1 million at the box office.
“A thrilling cinematic experience that brilliantly blends action, horror, and a touch of dark humor” is how one review described Army of the Dead. The spectacle reputedly holds viewers riveted, meticulously engineering each segment for peak engagement.
Bautista’s portrayal drew particular praise: “David Bautista’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary; he brings a deep, emotional complexity to his character that adds a surprising layer of depth to the film.”
The ensemble cast includes talents like ex-WWE star David Bautista, Omari Hardwick, ‘Yellowjackets’ star Ella Purnell, Theo Rossi, among others. However, one cast member didn’t make it to the final cut – Chris D’Elia was erased using green screens and CGI following sexual misconduct allegations against him.
While many lauded the performances across the board, some were less than thrilled. A viewer critiqued: “The worst roster of characters I’ve seen in a zombie movie, and probably the worst writing.”
A separate reviewer said: “Great zombie flick; the opening sequence alone was top-tier, over-the-top entertainment. The movie was flashy, had a great cast, and had a great story. So many questions that I just can’t wait for them to be answered.”
They added: “Lots of crazy things you will spot after re-watching multiple times. Zack set a good foundation for a hopeful franchise to take off”.
Those seeking a no-fuss, adrenaline-fuelled zombie film can currently stream Army of the Dead on Netflix.
