Zombies

In recent years, Disney Channel created an image for itself by releasing teen-friendly musicals with positive messages and energetic songs. The latest flick, “Zombies,” is one of the better flicks with a sweet message, fascinating performances, and some catchy songs. It was released in 2018, and was worth seeing on Disney+, especially if you have teenage children.

The set-up for “Zombies” is easy. In a town called Seabrook, a zombie outbreak was unleashed which scared the life out of the citizens. To manage, the town built a wall to keep the zombies out. Fortunately, they also developed a cure for the zombies’ brain-eating habits which allowed them to behave like anybody else. Like he villain’s children in “Descendants,” the decision is made to welcome the zombies into the human schools, and this met with harassment and scorn at first. Rachel Wagner said in her review, “Animation fans should enjoy the introduction to Zombies, which shows the creative flair the film has.”

The protagonist, Zed, is played by Milo Manhein, and his dream is to play on the school football team. Meanwhile, human girl Addison, played by Meg Donnelly, dreams of making the cheer team at school. The leader of the cheer team, Bucky, played by Trevor Tordjman, hates the zombies and is the main antagonist in the film. There is also a zombie named Eliza, played by Kylee Russell, that becomes friends with Zed and has a bit of a rebellious side in her.

Wagner said, “There’s nothing all that groundbreaking in Zombies and it could easily be accused of being maudlin and predictable; however, it clearly has its heart in the right place with a positive message that elevates it above typical Disney Channel fare.” The songs are also a lot of fun and well-choreographed by Christopher Scott and director Jeffrey Hornaday. It is impressive how they use glow in the dark effects in the song BAMM.

Donnelly and Manheim are charming in the protagonists and overall, it’s a nice, entertaining film the whole family can enjoy watching together.

If you are a fan of the recent Disney Channel musicals, then you will love “Zombies.” It is one of the better films lately with a sweet message, likable cast and energetic musical numbers. You can see this on Disney+ no problem.

I know it may come as a surprise that this film I found myself enjoying when I have never been a fan of Disney Channel Original Films. However, I don’t think this is great, maybe because it hits the necessary check marks that every one of these films hit. Still, it doesn’t focus on that too much and moves along nicely. The songs are surprisingly energized, and I found myself moving in my seat when they were playing. If you have kids, they can enjoy this no problem, but I don’t think a lot of adults will. If you want to watch it, it wouldn’t hurt, but if you don’t think you’ll watch it after one time, I get it.

Tomorrow I will look at an animated movie that sounds like it would have been a lame plot, but surprisingly turned out to be a fun, entertaining flick in “Disney Month 2021.”