by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s the Taiwanese zombie film Operation Undead by writer/director Khom Kongkiat Khomsiri.
Synopsis
1941. Chumphon Province, Thailand. Mok and his ragtag unit of young soldiers are thrown against the invading Japanese forces. The invaders bring with them a terrifying biological weapon, unaware that it has plans of its own.
The Good
Joseph: I’m a hard sell on both zombie movies and war films — especially on the latter — and Operation Undead combines both. It does so impressively, though, and won me over. Two strains of zombies are at play here: one the standard mindless, human-munching type, and the other still clinging on to humanity and memories, and able to talk with one another and form a group. The gore is plentiful and well rendered, delivering pretty much anything that zombie-movie enthusiasts would want in that department. The drama and the themes regarding duty to family and country are front and center, and the performances are generally solid. Khomsiri paces the proceedings well.
Mike: Operation Undead shines most in its nonstop action scenes and practical effects. The zombie designs are quite well done and instead of just the usual shambling horde, there are also more agile and aggressive types that pose more of a danger that keeps the tension high. Khomsiri's direction during these set pieces is very energetic, with tight movement and a fast pace that makes sure there are never any dull moments. The movie also has a fairly good ensemble cast, especially the lead, who gives a strong performance amidst all the chaos. The sound design is also great because it makes every gnash and groan feel too close to be comfortable.
The Bad
Joseph: The drama can come across as a bit on the nose at times, and the messages are, shall we say, not easy to miss.
Mike: Even though the action is good, Operation Undead fails to tell a very captivating story. The plot works, but it often feels like a bunch of tired tropes sewed together, with no real originality. Character growth outside of the main character is pretty shallow, making many secondary characters feel like they are just plot devices and not people you should care about. A tighter plot and more complex character arcs would have made the experience a lot better.
The Verdict
Joseph: Operation Undead is that rare-to-me zombie film that offers a different angle on the subgenre. Its Thai historical perspective makes it a unique offering. Zombie fright-fare aficionados will want to seek this one out, and those like me who are burnt out on the subgenre but willing to be open-minded when a possible interesting take comes along should also give it a shot.
Mike: Operation Undead lives up to its zombie action promise, giving fans of the genre a thrilling ride. Its strong points are its realistic effects and exciting fight scenes, which are definitely fun to watch. However, its simple story and generally weak characters keep it from really standing out in a crowded field. Even though it doesn't change the way we think about the zombie apocalypse, it's still a fun, if forgettable, escape that shines mainly because of its setting and the Thai lens through which the story unfolds.
Operation Undead
Directed By: Khom Kongkiat Khomsiri
Written By: Khom Kongkiat Khomsiri
Starring: Thawatchanin Darayon, Akkarat Nimitchai, Seigi Ozeki
Run Time: 1h 50m
Rating: NR
Release Date: August 1, 2024 (Thailand)
Comments
Post a Comment
Share your thoughts with us