Zombie Island Massacre flopped upon release, perhaps because mainstream audiences avoided what they thought were flesh-eating zombies - and zombie fans felt cheated upon discovering there were no flesh-eating zombies.
Horror critics have not been kind to Zombie Island Massacre. In Deep Red, Chas Balum writes: "There are no zombies in this picture. The real walking dead are behind the cameras this time. Ugly, cowlike Rita Jenrette, whose claim to fame is having a disgraced politico ex-husband and posing for a Playboy spread, is simply ... uh ... ugly, cowlike and bereft of any shred of acting talent whatsoever. Sure, her breasts defy gravity and the filmmakers get her naked as often as reason allows; but shit, Francis the Talking Mule could've done a better job and, perhaps, even brought more sensuality to the role. ... alas, no zombies, just Z-Z-Z-Z-Z's."
In his Creature Features guide, John Stanley writes: "A Caribbean island is the setting for this tale of vacationers being slaughtered by what appears to be a killer zombie tree. Huh?"
Well yes, I said the photography was murky, and some events difficult to discern. But overall, I'm inclined to forgive. The film is pleasantly diverting, and mildly entertaining. A critic at Amazon described Zombie Island Massacre as "cheesy fun" - and it is that. A generous body count, hammy acting by a pothead and a voodoo priest, and Rita's breasts. It may not be art, but it's enough for a movie.
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