Zack Snyder, the director known for blockbusters like Watchmen, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, took his cinematic prowess to Netflix with his 2021 post-apocalyptic thriller.
Army of the Dead captivated audiences with its unique blend of zombie chaos and heist excitement, boasting a stellar cast that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. A critic on Rotten Tomatoes praised the film as an “unusual creation,” lauding its ability to mesh various elements successfully.
The 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 lost to the undead after a catastrophic government failure, the story unfolds. A wealthy casino tycoon’s fortune lies locked away in a vault amidst the ruins, and a band of skilled mercenaries is tasked with the daring mission to recover it.
Risking it all, they plunge into the infested wasteland, aiming to execute an audacious heist. With the promise of untold riches from the billionaire and the clock ticking down to a presidential order to obliterate the city, they face the ultimate test of nerve and skill, reports the Mirror US.
A critic said: “Zack Snyder’s ridiculously entertaining latest is a zombie heist movie with gore at its core.”
(Image: Daily Record)
However, another viewer felt the film was “not great,” yet admitted they still had “a lot of fun.”
Despite a brief stint in US theatres, owing to its digital release on Netflix, ‘Army of the Dead’ triumphed in the Oscars Fan Favorite battle at the 94th Academy Awards. During its limited box office window, it managed to rake in $1 million.
One review described ‘Army of the Dead’ as an exhilarating film spectacle combining action, horror, and a sprinkle of black comedy. The frenetic pace of the film grips viewers throughout, each scene meticulously designed for maximum effect.
“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.”
Starring former WWE star David Bautista, along with Omari Hardwick, ‘Yellowjackets’ star Ella Purnell, Theo Rossi, and others, the film boasts a strong cast. Chris D’Elia, originally slated to appear, was digitally replaced via green screens and CGI amid multiple sexual misconduct accusations.
Fans have lauded the overall performance of the cast, while some remained critical. One commentary denigrated: “The worst roster of characters I’ve seen in a zombie movie, and probably the worst writing.”
One viewer 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”.
For those looking for an action-packed, no-fuss zombie film, Army of the Dead is up for streaming on Netflix right this moment.
