...nope...nope...not this viewer, thank you very much...nope...not gonna do it...nope...not gonna do it, dammit, says this viewer!! Not gonna go into another droning and repetitive rant about yet another new zombie comedy, amidst the countless zombie comedies already gracing the horror genre wasteland. Nope. Not gonna reflect back upon bygone humble beginnings, what horror sub-genre has since been wrought, as the result of some little 1968 presumably classic zombie flick, by some dude...maybe you've heard of him...some dude named Romero, or something like that, I think. Oh hell, no. Not gonna shovel out the typical ya-da-da ya-da-da ya-da-da about a new zombie flick that once again establishes & revels the 'basic rules' of the zombie genre, storywise (...i.e., being reanimated flesh-eaters, needing to shoot them in the head, etc.), and yet, tries to turn the genre on it's head, by humorously gives the expected proceedings, a supposedly fresh twist, or some underliningly social satire. And it's a shame that this viewer isn't gonna do all that, 'cause such oft-visited, nostalgic reflection of this beaten and well worn horror genre would still make for a reasonable and much greater measure of insight and relevation, than the adequate, though pretty much shoulder-shrugging, ho-hum offerings afforded the hapless viewer of the 2013 horror comedy, "Zombie Ex's"...
...for some guys, it seems that it's almost impossible to meet the right gal; in fact, sometimes, one is destined to have the wrong gals...who incessively, possessively and manipulatively gravitate about. Such is the problem with Zach (Alex Hammel-Saver)...a young, self-proclaimed, albeit angst-filled 'everyman', who now, in the company of his best friend...a lethargic, though well-connected, obsessed gamer and devoted slacker named Dan (Scott Keebler)...begins to take stock in his track record of failed romances and relationships, having just been kicked out of the apartment, by yet another lady of the questionable motive and measurably off-kilter meld. Really feeling for his bud, Dan arranges for Zach to play the part of contestant in a 'Dating Game'-like show; however, whether by intent or by chance, it seems that the 'unknown' gals used in this game show venue, all turn out to be Zach's previous psycho-girlfriend rejects...each possessing their own possessive idiosyncrasies. Unfortunately, one of the show's sponsors is a company which puts out this special herbal water...directly catering to women...which initially has a lulling, docile, mood-affecting effect, but soon after, causes the drinker to become obsessively ravenous, yet surprisingly articulate flesh-eating zombies. Least to say, the gals who participate in the game show...little realizing that they all have something in common...namely, their relationship with Zach...are guzzling this 'happy water' down, by the truckload. And when they all find out that their intended 'object of affection' is Zach, and the water's adverse side effect kicks in...well, it seems that Zach now has problems far more fearfully difficult and dreaded, than...what might be defined, according to Hoyle, as standard 'trouble in paradise' problems...
...uh, no siree, Bob,,,you just can't make this stuff up. Well actually, in the constantly experimental realm of movie cross-genres, you can...in this case, it's all just a matter of taking a zombie flick, and melding it with "The Hangover" and "Mallrats", that's all. Ah heck, why not go the full nine, take the gut-munching zombie standard...'Play-Dough' mash & meld it with the sexual funny-ings of Blake Edwards' "10"...the fist packing, ape-farting hilarity of "Any Which Way You Can"...and the cross-dressing escapades of "To Wong Foo..."?? (...heaven forbid, this viewer should give Hollywood any ideas, and...uh, back off, Studio Execs!! That idea's mine...back off, I say...). Seriously, and getting to the point, let's face it, folks!! Sometimes, attempts at cross-genre, work like a charm...sometimes, they prove the most absolute of disasters...and in the case of "Zombie Ex's", you pretty much walk out with an '...eh, OK' shoulder shrug, and a somewhat dissatifying thought of '...uh, so what?'...
...that's not to say that "Zombie Ex's" doesn't necessarily have a sense of appeal, charm and uniqueness, in it's cross-genre execution. For the most part, Zach is a pretty likable and relatable character. One cannot help but feel for this hapless lad, whose previous romantic interludes are all expounded upon and exaggerated, in these proceedings, in the sense of their varied sense of character and eccentricities...even going as far as cutting in individual, humorously amusing, punchy, explosive and introductive, comic-book-like caricature screen card shots, when they are initially brought into play, as well as when their resulting zombie counterparts are violently extinguished. Even Zach's goofy slacker pal...the 'Zach Galifianakis' reject, in these 'comedy of error' proceedings...as well-intently bumbling as he is portrayed, is still quite amiable and relatable, with his embraceable sloppy demeanor and his knee-slapping, 'tit-for-tat' verbal retort. Or Zach's brainy and supportive, somewhat attractive girl 'friend', Lilly (Madison Hart), who is secretively smitten to Zach, as blind as he is to see it, and who just might be the perfect gal for him...providing she does not succumb to the allure and effects of the tainted 'HappiWater' (...and of course, we know where this will eventually go...)...
...at any rate, as the 'new kid on the block', with regards to the 'zomedy' genre, of the micro-budgeted, independently financed sort, "Zombie Ex's" does leave a lot to be desired, as far as originality, and ably written prowess. However, such flaws are balanced out, herein, with how the various characters are portrayed and presented, making this somewhat riotous horror/comedy outing, negligibly mediocre at best; worth a look...just don't expect to be outright bowled over, by it.....
Love these guys
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