Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End is a solid addition to the zombie horror genre. While it doesn't bring anything groundbreaking, it's a well-made film with good acting, an engaging story of a man and his cat surviving in what feels like the end of the world, and endless waves of bloodthirsty undead. Notably, this movie features "fast zombies," so expect lots of frantic chases and intense action.
After watching the trailer, I had high expectations, so I was a bit disappointed by the slow start. The first 45 minutes had little action, but it turned out to be the calm before the storm. Suddenly, the pace shifted, and in just a few minutes, Apocalypse Z went from zero to one hundred. From then on, the film was packed with action.
The movie delves into relationships on several levels. The main character has flashbacks about his late wife, frequently tries to talk to his sister, and, of course, converses with his cat. He also meets new allies and enemies among the survivors. As the story progresses, these relationships reveal their importance to both the protagonist's journey and the plot itself.
While the second half has plenty of zombies, Apocalypse Z reminds us that even during an apocalypse, there's something more dangerous than the undead lurking around every corner: other survivors. Resources are scarce, and desperate times bring out the worst in some, while others take a dark pleasure in chaos.
The special effects are skillfully done and add to the film's quality. Certain zombies, like the abandoned baby, are especially haunting. Although we're seeing more child zombies in recent films, not every director takes the risk of showing humanity's youngest transformed into such horrific figures.
The ending may not surprise seasoned fans of the genre; it's predictable but leaves on a cliffhanger. It's my hope that a sequel will explore what happens next, turning Apocalypse Z into a saga like 28 Days Later and other notable zombie series.
In sum, if you enjoy classic zombie horror with compelling human relationships, Apocalypse Z is definitely worth a watch.
