DVD Review: Choking Hazard - Page 2

When the zombies show up, the action really begins. The merry band of bickering students get split up as they do their best to retain their lives. I am not sure what to think about this. Yes, the zombies are kind of fun and some of the things they do are awfully random, which is fun, but it does not really make for a good movie.

I understand that they are trying to make a philosophical statement, but I am just not seeing it. It is a movie that I am sure has a message, but since I could not really put the pieces together, I chose to sit back and take it in as just another zombie film. Unfortunately, there is not much of a story to tell and while there are many sequences to like, they are greater than the sum of the parts.

There is no explanation of where the zombies came from, other than they are all woodsmen. What that means, I could not say. They are all dressed the same, so there is a definite connection between them. They are also introduced with the title card "Instinct." Later on we get a different, smaller group of similarly dressed brain-munchers, but they are a little smarter, they are introduced as "Reason." Hmmm, could these guys be tying into the blind professor's lectures? I am sure of it, but what does it mean? What does it mean? Sorry, couldn't rightly tell you. Well, let's just skip the purpose of the story as I can tell this is going nowhere.

What helps this movie work as a pure entertainment is the style. It is a low budget affair, but director Marek Dobes brings plenty of style to bear. It is sort of like an existential, Quentin Tarantino, zombie film made on a $20 budget. I am sure it cost much more than that, but you catch my meaning. There are some nice angles and cuts, plus some fantastic slow motion shots that are icing on the cake rather than anything substantive, but it works.

As for the performances, they are what you would expect for this sort of film. Many of the characters are of the throwaway variety. There were a couple that stood out. There is the slacker character who never looks like he wants to be there and just works as he makes his way through the onslaught with an ever bemused expression. Then there is the girl with the little Princess Leia-like hair-buns that seems to be having fun. However, the one character that made the biggest impression is the porn star who also happens to be a Jehovah's Witness, an odd combination that is just very funny. Plus he gets the best final moment of the bunch.

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Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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  • Choking Hazard Choking Hazard

    "A comedy Full of Cheeky fun with buckets of raspberry hued gore" —Eddie Cockrell, Variety A zombie horror-comedy about finding the meaning of life! A blind philosopher, a shotgun wielding children’s ...

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