Tye Sheridan, a young actor who impressed in Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life and the coming-of-age drama Mud, takes a sharp turn into the absurd with Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. Following up critically acclaimed roles with what can only be described as a brain-dead mix of teen comedy and zombie horror, this film attempts to blend Porky’s-style humor with Dawn of the Dead-esque gore, and sadly fails spectacularly.
For fans of the zom-com genre, films like Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, and even Cooties offer a benchmark of how to successfully merge laughs with the undead. Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, however, misses the mark entirely, delivering a film that’s neither funny nor frightening. The studio’s decision to embargo reviews until the last minute speaks volumes about their confidence, or lack thereof, in this cinematic misadventure.
The wafer-thin plot revolves around three Boy Scouts: Ben (Sheridan), the sensible one; Carter (Logan Miller), obsessed with girls; and Augie (Joey Morgan), the lovable, larger friend. This predictable trio, archetypes rather than characters, find their scouting weekend derailed by a zombie outbreak. Enter Denise (Sarah Dumont), a tough-talking cocktail waitress who handles a shotgun with surprising expertise, a crazy cat lady cameo by Cloris Leachman, and Scout Leader Rogers (David Koechner), a well-meaning but clueless figure of authority. Mix these elements with a conveniently located lab accident, and you have the flimsy premise for Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.
While the actors deliver commendable performances given the shallow material, they are ultimately let down by the script. The zombie effects are standard fare, offering nothing new to the genre, although the “YOLO zombie” concept does elicit a slight chuckle. Koechner, as the scout leader, provides the film’s few genuinely funny moments, highlighting his comedic talent, which deserves better vehicles than this. His previous work in Cheap Thrills demonstrates his capacity for more nuanced and impactful roles.
Christopher Landon, known for his work in horror and suspense with writing credits on Disturbia and the Paranormal Activity series, ventures into comedy direction for the first time with Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. Unfortunately, this foray into humor is a misstep. The jokes feel recycled, juvenile, and often simply nonsensical. Despite aiming for the demographic that enjoys crude, adolescent humor, the film bafflingly carries an R rating. Perhaps it’s a misguided attempt to attract the on-demand viewing audience, but even for that market, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse is a waste of time and money best avoided.
Ultimately, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse earns no merit badge. It’s a poorly executed attempt at a zom-com that fails to deliver on both scares and laughs.
1 Hour 33 Minutes | Rated: R
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SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE Review
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