Deadline (2002)

Director: Jonathan Kray

Writer: Michel Bonset, Jonathan Kray, Jan Willem Peters, Ruben Taneja

Tagline: [None]

Actors: Cas Jansen, Anjali Taneja, Willem Emo, Dorus van der Meer, Dirk Beemster, Floris Bakker, Ruben Taneja, Wende Snijders, Javier Guzman, Michel Bonset, Henny Stoel

Runtime: 21m

Category: Zombie

Synopsis: After a bio-hazardous spill at a chemical factory, precautionary measures have been taken to assure the public that everything is under control. Unfortunately, you cannot control everything. Mosquitoes end up taking in some of the waste and causing horrible mutations in humans who have been bitten.

That same night, a video game design corporation is on a deadline to finish their latest creation. During all the commotion, one of the team members gets bitten by an infected mosquito. The supervisor, Mike, decides to send another team member after the first to find out what was taking so long. Mike soon finds out that his crew has become flesh-hungry zombies!

After the outbreak in the office building, a TV news crew head in to get a scoop. They run head-on into what looks like a war zone. Jenny, the reporter, finds Mike, very badly injured but alive, who gives them the low-down on what happened. All hell breaks loose when the other team members find their way to the remaining survivors. Who can escape the undead?

Review: I was hoping for something amazing with this film considering it was produced by Twisted Pictures, the same company that brought us the Saw films, Catacombs (2007), and Dead Silence (2007). I was not thrilled to find out that I would be reading subtitles throughout the entire film but, I gotta say, this has been some of the most well spent twenty minutes in a long time.

The story although not a new one was very well detailed and delivered. Not too many films can boast such a statement, even big-budget films. But the story here was crafted in a way that left some imagination flexibility but gave you enough to solidify your enjoyment. It was very well orchestrated and executed, and I’m happy to be a fan.

The acting was a lot better than I have expected. I thought I was gonna have to drop a bomb here but I can’t. The acting was believable and compelling…simple as that. I don’t know if any of these actors are big over in the Netherlands, but they sure made their mark here. I hope to see more from the Netherlands sometime soon, they actually have good actors.

The gore was another story. I was so blown away that I think I was actually speechless. I guess I should have figured so, being a Twisted Pictures production and all, but for a short film I just wasn’t expecting much. But the gore was very well done and was successful in the portrayal of the zombie physiology (Romero Model). The only complaint I have for this section, is the eyes of the zombies. I would have preferred them to not be a green version of the effects of Dune (1984). It just seemed to take away from the grit of the film. But that’s my only complaint.

Rating: 23. I thought this film was absolutely phenomenal. If you ever get a chance to see it, please do. If you can’t find it, try checking out my friends at HorrorFlix, they might have it…they have everything. Thus, I’ll leave you with my second horror-short review. I’m getting a good feeling about these horror-shorts, I hope I don’t run into any duds! (23of25).