Cockneys Vs Zombies – Out now on DVD and Blu-Ray

Cockneys Vs Zombies (2012)
Directed by: Matthias Hoene
Written by: James Moran
Starring: Alan Ford, Ashley Thomas, Dudley Sutton, Georgia King, Harry Treadaway, Honor Blackman, Jack Doolan, Michelle Ryan, Rasmus Hardiker, Richard Briers

Cockneys Vs Zombies – Out Now on DVD and Blu-Ray

Rated 15

Running time – 85 minutes

Review by Juanvasquez

When I first heard of Cockneys Vs Zombies, I despaired. I thought it would be yet another straight to DVD, half-arse zombie horror that loses steam after the first 5 minutes. There have been far too many of of those over the last few years, and some with an even bigger named cast than this film. It came somewhat as a surprise then, when it turned out this is a genuinely great straight to video comedy-horror. After a sealed tomb dating back to the 1600’s is unearthed at a construction site in London’s East End, it unleashes zombie plague. Simultaneously, brothers Harry and Terry are gearing up to pull off a bank robbery. The reason being, is that their grandfather’s care home is going to be knocked down and redeveloped, forcing him an the other residents to move away from the area they have lived in all their lives. However, it appears that the brothers aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed and the heist doesn’t go to plan. It’s not long before the police show up, as well as a hoard of the undead. Simultaneously, their grandfather’s care home is besieged by zombies.

While Cockneys Vs Zombies is more comedy than horror, there’s more than enough blood and guts to keep the gore hounds happy, and although it’s the norm for most of the cast to become the zombie’s dinner, there’s a lack of tension for the most part. In fact the majority of the films tense scenes come from unhinged fellow bank robber Mental Mickey, who is a volatile and violent character (in a fun way). Think of it as Shaun Of The Dead via Snatch, with even less competent criminals. The set pieces and situations the cast find themselves in are wonderfully executed, and there’s even an amusing moment involving some zombified football hooligans from notorious rival London clubs.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFSaASkCBEk[/youtube]

The film is full of recognisable faces from film and TV over the years, such as Bond girl Honor Blackman, former Eastender Michelle Ryan, and Snatch’s foul mouthed gangster, Alan Ford. And for those who have been waiting for Richard Briers, to slay the undead with a zimmer frame mounted sub machine gun, the wait is over! All of the cast are given a chance to shine, each with a moment of their own, be it comedic, heroic or meeting their demise, there isn’t a wasted role. Cockneys Vs Zombies is a genuine surprise, full of gore and belly laughs, and although it’s not quite Shaun Of The Dead, it can stand along side as one of the best horror comedies the UK has ever produced.

Extras include several ‘making of’ featurettes, and a trailer.

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