Mike takes aim and delivers a stellar review of Cooties.
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| "If we follow this map we can finally reach Mount Doom." |
Over the last few years the zombie movie has become one of
the most popular subgenres in horror.
This also means that it has become the most overdone. The market is flooded with terrible,
formulaic zombie apocalypse movies with irritating, one-dimensional characters
that bring nothing new to the table.
Truly fresh and interesting takes on the genre are growing increasingly
rare, which allows the standouts to separate themselves from the very crowded
field. The latest to do this is the
newly released horror comedy Cooties.
Cooties is never above the classic tropes that make
zombie movies so popular, but it offers a unique and fun twist. Our "monsters" this time around are
elementary school children who have eaten contaminated lunch room chicken
nuggets. As the virus spreads through
the schoolyard, a group of teachers must defend themselves. And it's a pretty impressive cast; Elijah
Wood headlines a group that also features Rainn Wilson, Jack McBrayer and
Alison Pill, among a few other recognizable faces from movies and TV. Among the cast is Cooties' co-writer
and producer Leigh Whannel (who also co-created the Saw films), who
turns in a hilarious scene-stealing performance.
There are plenty of hilarious moments in Cooties. The movie is arguably as much a comedy as
it is a horror film, with a concept that lends itself to some very twisted
moments. Some scenes are even downright
disturbing, particularly to those with a sensitivity to seeing atrocities
committed to, and by, children. But even
in these scenes the movie remains self-aware, fully embracing its
ridiculousness and never taking itself too seriously. The humor balances out the quite well done
horror elements, giving its audience the best of both worlds.
Cooties is a special kind of messed up. Where most horror-comedies fail by being too
much of one and not enough of the other, Cooties finds and maintains a
successful balance. This results in a
fun and engaging movie that has plenty to satisfy fans of both genres. Like the virus in its title, Cooties is
bloody, twisted, and infectious. It's
also high quality, hilarious fun that's worth seeking out. If you're looking to satisfy your hunger for
a clever, original take on zombie movies, you'll want to catch Cooties.
Cooties is now available on most major VOD services and
will open in select theaters Friday, September 25.
Score
-Mike Stec
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