ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS
Lucio Fulci (1979)
3.5 STARS
So often, zombie films tap into socio-political issues: discussions of consumerism and capitalism, undertones of racism, philosophical debates. Zombie Flesh Eaters has none of this, but, what it does have is a fantastic fight scene between a zombie and a shark.
Alternatively titled Zombi and Zombi 2, this film was originally intended to serve as a sequel to George A. Romero’s pivotal Dawn of the Dead. However, where Dawn spends its time developing character and commenting on modern society, Flesh Eaters focuses on special effects and set pieces, at which it succeeds in style.
As is Lucio Fulci’s style, the narrative of the film comes second to the special effects centred sequences. The torturously slow self-exhumation of a corpse and a cringe-inducing piece of body horror involving someone's eye are particularly gripping moments in a film that meanders its way between these set pieces.
Arguably the strongest of Fulci’s zombie entries, it’s refreshing to see a zombie film set back in its native Caribbean. Just make sure to leave your plot expectations at the door and enjoy the ride. Oh, and did I mention shark vs zombie?!