Apocalisse Z - Inizio della fine

What a surprise when I came across this film the other day. I had bought the Kindle book version in 2020, and it was a blast reading, so much that when I finished it I went for the Part 2. The film similarity to the book is huge, with some changes but acceptable, missing the part in which its main Character has to do a mission for the russian sailors downtown, but for the rest is a very easy going film if you accept zombie movies and that not all zombies may die if wounded in the head.

As always there is so much more in a book reading than in its movie recreation. I would recommend the film and so the book.

Apocalypse Z: El principio del fin is a decent movie, but don't expect much. The story is typical. A normal man flawed with the sadness from his past, tries to survive and reach a place which he thinks it's safe.

The acting is good enough, and the special effects are decent. If you love horror genre and zombie movies, it is for you to have some good time.

The movie adds nothing to the genre, all the plots, twists and jumpscare scenes are there, but we don't get anything new. Survival, horror, fall of society and mankind is all we have seen many times before.

As horror is a genre which is not for everyone, this movie is not able to get much attention, and if you're interested in zombie genre, and a newcomer, there are many better alternatives out there.

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.

"Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End" brings an invigorating Spanish flair to the well-worn zombie genre, blending terror with a surprising resilience not only in its human characters but in an endearing feline companion as well. The film is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, capturing survival instincts in a grimly fascinating setting. The cast is superb, with performances that feel both grounded and compelling-no overacting, just pure, authentic grit as characters navigate this grim new world.

At nearly two hours, the film could benefit from a modest trim or, perhaps, a few extra zombie-packed scenes to heighten the tension. Nonetheless, it maintains a fine balance of suspense and emotion, keeping viewers thoroughly entertained. For aficionados of the genre, Apocalypse Z is a delightfully crafted thrill that's sure to satisfy.

I would give it a sound 7 out of 10-an enjoyable entry in the annals of apocalyptic cinema.

Plot

Manel is sheltering from a rabies-like disease which sweeps the planet, until he is forced to leave and meet unlikely but essential traveling companions.

Cast

Not familiar with anyone of the cast but Director Carles Torrens I'm familiar with, though with mix results.

Verdict

As a life long mid 40's horror fanatic by favourite sub-genre has always been zombies. However I'm not as excited booting a new zombie movie up like I used to be as generally they're cliché ridden, trope saturated generic messes and it's rare I come across one I truly enjoy. Part of reason is that they're cheap to make so indie filmmakers with no budget and even less talent are making them and even when the budget is there the originality has waned.

With a generic title like Apocalypse Z which would befit a Scyfy original I went in assuming the absolute worst but found myself engrossed in an entertaining and likeable affair.

Following a single character has been done before but tends to be the setup for rather boring zombie movies this bucks that trend and was very engaging. His tiny travelling companion added both joy and consistent dread throughout the film which I enjoyed but very easily could have not.

The film isn't perfect, it has a mediocre ending and suffers from pacing issues a couple of times but overall this is one of the better zombie movies I've seen in the last 5 years and is well worth a watch for anyone who is a fan of the sub-genre.

Rants

I have 6 cats, they're my world. Being a crazy cat dad and generally a person who looks at the world with a animals > people stance made me wince throughout the movie. I had to Google in advance to find out if the pet dies, if the answer had been yes I wouldn't have watched this as that to me is the biggest horror trope that needs to die. What it did bring here though was heart racing dread and genuine concern, I approve! Horror movies simply don't scare me anymore and haven't for 30 odd years but this dread was a surprising and appreciate substitute.

The Good

Solid character development Some original moments The cat element really worked

The Bad

Weak finale Slumps a couple of times.