A Critical Review of Army of the Dead on Netflix: What Enhances and Falters
Analysis of 'Army of the Dead' by Zack Snyder on Netflix
Introduction
The film Army of the Dead by Zack Snyder, released on Netflix in 2021, presents a unique take on the zombie genre albeit with a mix of strengths and weaknesses. The title, which cleverly omits the word ‘zombie’ despite its core premise, signals an intelligent approach to marketing. Drawing parallels to previous works, Snyder chooses to emulate certain elements from the 'We’re Alive' series, a move that pays homage while offering contemporary nuances.
Marketing Earned Its Respect
One of the most striking features of Army of the Dead is the title. The inclusion of the word ‘Dead’ shows a profound respect for the history and lineage of zombie cinema, distinguishing this film from those that sensationalize the genre more superficially. By contrast, the deliberate exclusion of the word ‘zombie’ might be seen as a subtler, more nuanced approach to the subject matter. Research demonstrates that a title like ‘Zombie’ has historically been associated with subpar productions, as evidenced by the poor reception of the eponymous movies from the Zombi franchise. The omission of the letter 'e' in 'Zombie 4' serves to prove the inverse relationship where a movie with a more ambiguous title may attract more positive reviews.
Source Material and Engagement
Adding to the title's intrigue is the film's source material. While Snyder's decision to loosely base the story on the 'We’re Alive' series provides a solid foundation, the execution is uneven. From enduring intelligent communication between zombies to a heist premise and the management of captives, these elements transcend generic zombie tropes. However, the freedom from explicit zombie themes might alienate audiences who are less familiar with the genre.
Flaws and Overindulgences
Despite these positive aspects, the film struggles with numerous shortcomings. The plot is decidedly stale, and the dialogue is clichéd and flat, contributing to a lack of emotional depth. The action sequences, while visually stunning with impressive CGI, become predictable and eventually feel redundant. Snyder's direction, though commendable in its use of visuals, struggles with pacing and narrative coherence. The 148-minute runtime drags at times, and the story becomes overly predictable. The addition of a Tiger zombie and emotional subplots, though creative, fail to resonate emotionally with the audience. These elements, while attempts at innovation, ultimately detract from the overall experience.
Conclusion
While Army of the Dead boasts impressive visuals and graphic action sequences, it ultimately fails to live up to its potential. Critics and viewers alike were left wanting more, with a movie that was enjoyable but ultimately unsatisfying. It remains a watchable series, particularly for fans of Zack Snyder's work and the high-quality visuals, but it could be so much more. The journey through ‘Army of the Dead’ is a testament to the inherent tension between innovation and predictability in the zombie genre.
In summary, ‘Army of the Dead’ offers an intriguing yet flawed exploration of the zombie genre. While the foundation of the story and the homage to classic movies are commendable, the execution falls short, leaving a mixed review at best.