Review: Outpost – Rise of the Spetsnaz / Cert: 18 / Director: Kieran Parker / Screenplay: Rae Brunton / Starring: Bryan Larkin, Ivan Kamaras, Michael McKell, Velibor Topic / Release Date: March 31st, 2014
The latest instalment of the Outpost series features a lot that will be familiar to fans of the previous two films. Yes, yes, yes, there are Nazi zombies aplenty. This time around, though, we find the action set in Eastern Europe during World War II as a group of highly-trained Russian military types seek to take down the Nazi threat. Given the ending of Outpost II: Black Sun, we were a little surprised with this sequel going all the way back to WWII. That said, it works.
After the Russian group botch an ambush attempt, they are taken captive and locked up in a Nazi prison bunker. It’s soon revealed that, as well as the threat of Nazis, there is also the looming peril of some modified Nazi ‘super-zombies’ to contend with. Whilst that may sound crazy, we’re pretty sure if you are watching a Nazi zombie film then you’ve already left your logic at the door. Wishing to test out these created monsters, the leader of the Nazi group (McKell) sees the new captives as the perfect mixture of bait and of a measuring stick for how up to standard these beasts are. What ensues is much, bloody violence, some rather great little action scenes, and some zombies doing their best Hulk Hogan ‘Hulking Up’ impressions.
The third in the Outpost series sees Kieran Parker finally take on directing duties. Having written and produced the first Outpost, then produced the second, it’s a natural fit for him. He uses similar tones, colours, angles and scoring to the previous two films, breeding familiarity for the viewer. He also throws in a shit-ton more blood, guts and action. Leading from the front on the action side is Larkin. As the leader of the Russian group, he impresses here. Once you get over the fact that both Russian and German forces all speak ‘English-with-an-accent’ throughout the film (we’ll never understand that), then you can buy Larkin as a good, hard-hitting Russian badass.
Now for the zombies… they’re actually rather good. Without the biggest budget in the world, the film creates impressive zombies, utilising the tools at its command and making the best of them. There are no plodding, moping zombies here; they have intent, purpose and an appetite, and they’re brutal with it.
Outpost: Rise of the Spetsnaz is a gore-soaked, action-packed battle of the species that triumphs. Sure, there are lulls, but then there’s lots and lots of zombies meeting fists. One of the best zombie films in recent memory, series fans and genre fans alike will find something here to enjoy.
Extras: The Making of Outpost III: Rise of the Spetsnaz
