Zombi: La creazione (2007) (V)

Director:

Bruno Mattei

Writers:

Giovanni Paolucci (screenplay)
Antonio Tentori (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 September 2008 (Czech Republic)

Genre:

Action | Horror

Plot Keywords:

Blood | Pregnancy | Children | Living Dead | Violence

Cast

Yvette Yzon	...	Dr. Sharon Dimao
Alvin Anson	...	Mark Taylor
Paul Holme	...	Paul Barker
James Gregory Paolleli	...	Captain Jurgens
B.B. Johnson	...	Sgt. Zamora (as Robert B. Johnson)
Dyane Craystan	...	Kramer (as Diana Croyston)
Gerhard Acao	...	Thompson (as Gerhardo Acao)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ronny Boos	...	Berger
Sereno Cunial	...	Carter
Miguel Faustmann	...	Morris
Jim Gaines	...	Zombie leader
Sven Stefaniksen	...	Fox
Mike Vergel	...	Ludmann
Gene Zwahir	...	Young

Also Known As:

Zombies: The Beginning (International: English title)

Country:

Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Filming Locations:

Philippines

Company:

Diamonds International Film

Trivia:

Uses some stock-shots from Crimson Tide (1995). Viggo Mortensen, Danny Nucci and 'Jaime Gomez' can be seen in those shots.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the very end of the end credits there's another mention of the movie title, only this time it says 'Zombies : The Beginnig' instead of 'Zombies : The BeginniNg'.

Movie Connections:

References Aliens (1986)

Ol' Bruno goes out with a BANG!

Bruno Mattei's final film picks up directly after ISLAND OF THE LIVING DEAD with Sharon (Yvette Yzon), the lone survivor, being rescued at sea. Back on the mainland, Sharon is having nightmares and execs at Tyler, Inc. don't buy her story on how the ship and crew disappeared. Six months later, Sharon is a monk but is contacted by Tyler, Inc. to participate in a rescue mission after contact with a colony on a nearby island is lost. Sound familiar? Yup, ol' Bruno gets his James Cameron on in his pumped up sequel. Actually, I should say Mattei is getting his James Cameron on again as this is his second film to rip off ALIENS nearly scene-for-scene (after 1990's equally amazing SHOCKING DARK).

This is truly a high note for Bruno to go out in for his long career of xerox cinema. Why? Is it a technical masterpiece? Does it contain amazing acting? Hell no! It is because Bruno has the gall to lift tons of scenes from CRIMSON TIDE and shamelessly steal the TERMINATOR 2 theme. There is also stolen footage of an oil plant blowing up, but I couldn't place it. I was equally disappointed and impressed that Mattei didn't steal anything in the previous ISLAND, so this was a welcome return. Plus, you have to love a direct sequel titled ZOMBIES: THE BEGINNING. What? The mimicking of the plot of ALIENS, 21 years after the fact, is just hilarious. Every major scene is here, just with 1/50th of the budget. Yzon gets all tough like Sigourney Weaver's Ripley and the film's bloody finale has her in a big breeding chamber where there is a huge talking brain (no, it is never explained).

In terms of entertainment, I would rate this one above ISLAND, for the sheer ripoff factor. But they both need to be seen together. I did them back-to-back and that might be the best way as you feel like you are getting a 3-hour zombie mini-series. The flick ends with a short clip of Bruno saying something on the set and the words, "Ciao Bruno..." on screen. Indeed, many thanks for all of your fine films. And also many thanks to Cameron, Romero, Stallone, Spielberg and all of the other director's who have given Mattei "inspiration" over the years.