The Horror Show
Scout’s Guide to
The Zombie Apocalypse
by Christopher Landon
After much delay I was finally able to watch Scout’s Guide to The Zombie Apocalypse last week and basically all I can say is that this film is one hell of a good way to spend your time.
When a zombie movie starts out with Blake Anderson from Workaholics jamming to Iggy Azalea while mopping some floors, then you know it’s going to be awesome. The hilarious Anderson, with his wonderfully enormous hair, is oblivious to the research going on at the facility where he is a janitor. So you can imagine that after discovering a man hooked up to a myriad of machines with skin that’s seen some better days, things are about to get a little crazy. The man, clearly a zombie research patient, attacks the janitor and then it’s all downhill from there.
After that delightful intro, we meet our main cast of characters: Ben, Carter, and Augie. Ben and Carter are a bit disenchanted with being scouts while Augie remains very gung-ho, especially since he’ll be receiving his Condor Badge that evening on a camping trip. After a series of hilarious events that involve a car, annoying high school kids, and a mysterious deer, Ben and Carter decide to attend the secret senior party with Carter’s sister and ditch Augie in the woods.
While the boys then attempt to use a bum to score some booze, we’re introduced to our leading lady, Denise, a high school drop-out turned cocktail waitress. She’s quite mysterious and an all-around bad ass from the moment she walks on screen, so it’s pretty lucky that Ben and Carter get acquainted with her before the shit hits the fan.
When the boys finally meet up with Augie in the woods, Ben begins to feel guilty about ditching Augie but Carter convinces him to go. Augie inevitably finds out about their plans and is heartbroken, but the boys go anyway. Once they get back to town, things seem to be out of place when Ben and Carter discover the front doors of the liquor store bashed in. But an even more interesting discovery is that the bouncer from the strip club, “Lawrence of Alabia,” is not at the front door. The guys sneak in and yes, they get the show of their teenage lives. While the scouts were in the woods, the zombie outbreak consumed their town and in a series of amusing events involving a zombie stripper and one pissed off zombie bouncer, Denise comes to the rescue, shotgun in hand.
Back outside, all hell has broken loose and there are zombies everywhere. The trio fights their way to the police station only to find it overrun. With no other option, they lock themselves in a jail cell to escape the growing, hungry horde. But don’t worry, my personal favorite character shows up to save the day despite his friends ditching him for a party. Now our newly formed quartet set out to find Carter’s sister and get the hell out of the town before the military bombs it to kingdom come.
That’s all I’ll say plot wise because I can’t express enough that this movie is so worth the watch. While Scout’s Guide doesn’t beat out Shaun of The Dead, I did feel that it was much better than Zombieland.
There’s the perfect amount of campiness, cornball humor, and well-executed tropes to keep it from being one of those horror-comedies that tries too hard or makes you roll your eyes. Instead, there are numerous times I found myself laughing out loud and the most memorable scene for me involved Augie, a zombie bum, and Hit Me Baby One More Time. Trust me, it’s fantastic.
There was limited CGI which I appreciate in a film like this. There’s no need for CGI crap when there’s plenty of blood and gore like the good old days, and it fits perfectly with the tone of the film. There aren’t any “scary” moments but the horror is most definitely there. Is it out-shined by the silliness of the film? Sure, but that’s what makes this movie so great. It’s just a fun time with some teenagers killing some zombies. Augie is by far the best character; he’s delightfully innocent and yet calm and resourceful in the face of an impending zombie apocalypse.
Oh, and let me not forget to mention that there are zombie animals in this movie, which you don’t see that often, and they were implemented perfectly.
Final verdict, if you hadn’t already guessed it, is that if I had a million thumbs, I’d put ‘em all up for Scout’s Guide to The Zombie Apocalypse. it’s fun to either watch by yourself or with your friends, and I seriously don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Stevie Kopas, HMS
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