Flick and Colourful Blood Splatter: A Movie Review

Flick is a zombie styled horror film, which will be distributed by the North American acquisition company Peace Arch Entertainment October 26th on DVD. The film was shot over the course of four weeks in and around Wales, England. Stylish, colourful, and involving a conflicted killer, Flick is an enjoyable horror film, which even stars Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway. Moving to DVD shelves shortly fans can find out why Flick deserves your attention in this review.

The film's title has a double-meaning, as Flick is a nickname for the film's main villain Johnny Taylor (Hugh O'Connor) and for "B-movie fright flicks" (Eye for Films). Taylor likes to flick his switchblade at high school dances when things do not go his way and when the bullies outnumber him four to one. One of the bullies is played by Ricci Harnet (28 Days Later) who makes a swift exit when Taylor goes on a stabbing spree. Taylor also makes a quick getaway from police only to end up in a car wreck. Taylor awakens from the wreck decades later as a murderous, revenge seeking zombie.

One of the many elements that makes Flick worth watching is the colourful visual picture. The deep reds, oranges and blues stream out as car exhaust or come through as streetlights. The beautiful colours heighten the visual appeal of the film. Also worth noting are the interesting camera angles, which are sometimes skewed, as Taylor going about his bloody work. Made for a pittance, every dollar seems to have been put into the display and the quality of the film is admirable.

The performances by Dunaway, O'Connor and Harnet are each in tune with both the setting of the '50s or for more modern times. Dunaway is especially feisty as noted: "she brings great gusto to her role as a one-armed, hardened police detective" (Eye on Film). Dunaway warms to characters appropriately, while making light of her mechanical arm in many scenes. O'Connor is just as interesting even with layers of make-up heaped upon his features. Not saying much, O'Connor must display the menace of his character Taylor mostly through his eyes. The effect is dramatic, as intended.

Other elements which add to the enjoyment of the picture are the '50 and '60s tracks and the inclusion of a Rockabilly soundtrack. The many dances in the films take place in various time periods and the music stays in tempo. As well, there is a storyline introduced that involves Taylor's undead power coming from a pirate station, which is his Achille's heal in the final moments of the film.

Finally, the inclusion of buckets of blood during Taylor's many murders is well done and comical. The blood is like a flood in some scenes: "Johnny's gory murders are a bit over-the-top, as the blood sprays [just] as it did in old 70s kung fu films" (Oh the Horror). Literally, waves of blood will splash out of vans, when an enemy of Taylor's is dispatched. The inclusion of this film element is sure to create laughter in audiences.

Flick is truly a one of a kind film in a competitive independent film market and thankfully the film will reach a wider audience through Peace Arch. Creative, comedic, and full of brilliant colours, Flick is one to pick up, while other films simply pale in comparison.

Setting/realism: 8 (a dockside England is well dressed and utilized fully).
Characters/action/interaction: 7.5 (centering the film on a villain is a nice touch, other characters are given enough attention).

Overall: 7.75 out of 10.

A review of the film at Eye for Film:

Flick Reviewed at Eye For Film

And at Oh the Horror by Brett G:

Flick Reviewed at Oh The Horror

The film's homepage:

The Flick Official Website w/Movie Stills