Matthias Hoenes’ 2012 British Comedy-Horror Cockneys vs Zombies was a nice attempt at trying something different in the Zombies Comedy-Horror franchise.
The films follows the story of Terry (Rasmus Hardiker), Andy (Harry Treadaway) and Katy (Michelle Ryan) trying to rob a bank in order to stop the closure of their grandfathers (Alan Ford) retirement home, while oblivious to (at first) a zombie outbreak that is occurring in the East End of London. Cue foul mouthed pensioners, zombie football hooligans and lots of blood and gore.
Like any zombie-comedy (Especially British) it will inevitably be compared with Shaun of The Dead, but Cockneys vs Zombies goes off in it’s own direction. For this is where it has to be commended. A film like Shaun of The Dead set the bar very high for films of this nature, not just comedy-zombies but any comedy-horrors in general. Films such as Lesbian Vampire Killers (James Cordon, Matthew Horne, 2009) took the easy way out and tried to mimic that style, and failed in the process. Cockneys vs Zombies has it’s own unique style. Our ‘heroes’ are in on the joke. They’re fully aware of what zombies are, and how they have to kill them and a few of the jokes work because of this.
Problems start popping up when there are too many ‘in’ jokes that non UK viewers, and I dare say people outside of London, just won’t get. It’s also reliant on the foul mouthed pensioners being just that, something which wears thin after about 15-20 minutes (with Alan Ford in particular) Once you strip the film of these two factors the plot line becomes very thin and doesn’t have much else to go on. There’s a few nice moments in there such as the traditional London bus being used as transportation but these gems are few and far between. The film also feels like it has a slight nod towards the London Riots of 2011. The first brutal massacre we see is the Police being butchered and that’s kind of how the riots felt. Police outnumbered and kind of hopeless against the rioters, as there wasn’t much they could do, ultimately. It was for the community to sort themselves out, to get back on track and that’s exactly what the message is in Cockneys vs Zombies. They want to protect the area themselves, as best they can, as it’s their City, their home to defend.
With a couple of stand out performers; Richard Briers (Hamish) and Ashley Thomas (Mad Mickey) Cockneys vs Zombies is loud, a little convenient and downright silly, but somehow ends up being an enjoyable watch.
Rating: Not a classic but a good one time watch (5.0/10)
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