2346. Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse (2015)

Starring: Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan

Director: Christopher Landon

Running Time: 88 mins

Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse is an American film about three scouts who find themselves caught up in the middle of a zombie outbreak on the eve of their last camp-out together.

Zombie comedies seem to be all over the place nowadays, and while I can’t say that Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse does anything to really stand out among the crowd, it proves an easy-going and entertaining watch regardless. With a light-hearted take on the horror genre combined with some good humour, the film is a simply enjoyable watch, although not one that will really thrill you in ways that better genre pieces can certainly do.

First off, the main thing to enjoy about this movie is its no-holds-barred, ridiculous action throughout. Unlike some more horror-oriented zomedies (sounds like it should be a word), this film just goes all out with as much over-the-top action and comic gore as possible, and that’s what really helps to make it a more enjoyable watch.

There’s no excessive emphasis on the real threat that the zombies pose, and the various methods that the characters use to evade the undead make for some rather pleasing little challenges to watch throughout. Of course, that means that the film isn’t in the least bit scary, but as far as being a simple horror-comedy goes, the film does a good job..

When it comes to the humour and the screenplay, things are also not all that bad. I can’t say that I was laughing out loud throughout, however in keeping with that tone of ridiculousness which we see in the action, it’s a rapid-fire and gleefully silly comedy.

Sometimes it’s a little crass, and some of its teen humour is a little underwhelming, however with all the jokes about being a scout and how it all comes in very useful in a zombie apocalypse, as well as the entertaining relationship between leads Tye Sheridan and Sarah Dumont, the film is an undoubtedly enjoyable and easy-going watch.

Despite all that, the biggest problem that I have with Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse is that it does absolutely nothing to make it feel at all special or unique. In comparison to modern genre classics like Shaun Of The Dead and Zombieland, both of which had hilarious comedy and brilliantly quirky characters, this film does feel a little too generic, and that means it can get boring in the periods when it’s not all about going out and attacking zombies.

The characters here are a little too simplistic, and the dialogue isn’t all that impressive throughout, so there’s little reason for you to really grab on to the story at hand – beyond the crazy zombie action – and as such the film doesn’t feel particularly impressive, quirky or unique in the way it may aim to.

Still, if you’re looking for a fun, throwaway zomedy to watch with friends, then Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse will do just the job. It’s not a particularly original or interesting film, but it is fast-paced and energetic enough to prove entertaining throughout, complete with some good comedy and fun action as well, and that’s why I’m giving it a 7.1 overall.