Following the outbreak of an incredibly evasive virus that turns human hosts into the walking dead (you know the drill), a team of international Special Forces soldiers are brought in to track down the scientist who brought about the impending zombie apocalypse. With this mission in mind, the team travel to various possible sites within the quarantine zone, encountering feral gangs, hapless survivors and swarms of the undead. But these aren’t your run-of-the-mill shuffling mouth-breathers, these zombies know kung fu. No, really.
There are some strong commercial ideas here and while the production value is a cut above for the film’s modest budget, director Chee Keong Cheung goes out of his way to attempt full Michael Bay ‘Hollywood’. As a result, it’s a bit like attempting to create the Mona Lisa with poster paints from Poundland. The cast and crew exude passion and it’s great to see the UK’s indie film world pull something like this off, but Cheung’s vision is misplaced, the script is a disjointed rambling mess and the cocaine-snorting, nunchuck-waving zombies themselves are crudely fleshed out and, as a result, laughable. Had the film taken itself a little less seriously (co-writer/star Mark Strange, I’m looking at you) this could have been the same kind of loveable genre romp as Dog Soldiers and the like. Instead, it’s just funny for all the wrong reasons and very much a missed opportunity.
Given its indie status, the behind the scenes are bountiful and, damn it, really made me want to like the film more. Interviews with all of the cast and crew talk at length about the characters and Cheung’s ambitious vision. Everyone is here (bar writer Steve Horvath who, for some reason isn’t even mentioned) including the Sound Designer, Editor, Composer and DoP. What’s great is that, not only do they discuss their involvement with Redcon-1, but they also give advice to anyone else who wants to get into the film business. It’s a wonderful touch that really speaks to the community within independent film. There’s also a good look at the community that built up around the film’s production with the wealth of zombie players, some of which is tremendously touching. A zoom through some of the film’s appearances around the country at various events is fun, while a sit down with the movie’s military consultant is a fascinating insight into, not only the process, but soldier life in general.
Within the Deleted Scenes you’ll find plenty of unused footage of army versus zombies, including a few touching character scenes which, frankly the film could have done with a lot more of. Finally, Trailers and Idents and a Photo Gallery round off what is a great selection of bonus features.
All in all, a rare case of the added value being more compelling than the film it supports.
REDCON-1 / CERT: 18 / DIRECTOR: CHEE KEONG CHEUNG / SCREENPLAY: CHEE KEONG CHEUNG, STEVE HORVATH, MARK STRANGE / STARRING: ORIS ERHUERO, CARLOS GALLARDO, MARK STRANGE, KATARINA LEIGH WATERS / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
