Starring Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Trevor Tordjman, and Kylee Russell
Directed by Paul Hoen
Music and Lyrics by various
Though ZOMBIES 2 did nearly even better than the original in the ratings, Disney still chose to switch the third film in the series to streaming. Otherwise, they didn't mess around with the formula. How does the final parable of tolerance when another, more benevolent type of monster invades the squeaky-clean town of Seabrook come off? Let's begin with the big high school football game as zombie quarterback Zed (Manheim) and human cheerleader Addison (Donnelly) explain its significance, especially for Zed's fellow monsters, and find out...
The Story: If Zed can win the game and gain an athletic scholarship, he'll be the first monster to attend college. He's about to talk with the recruiters when a massive UFO lands, sending everyone fleeing. Fortunately, the aliens who emerge from it are friendly. They only want to find a map to their perfect home, but tell the others they're going to attend the National Cheer-Off.
Neither the zombies nor the werewolves trust these strange and humorless beings at first, especially after they lower Zed's test and athletic scores. They agree to help Zed with his scholarship if he helps show them around Seabrook. It doesn't help that the most enthusiastic, A-Spen (Terry Hu), claims she's in love with Zed. When they accidentally beam Addison up to their Mothership (RuPaul) with Zed, Addison makes a shocking discovery about who sent them there...and wonders if she's finally found who she really is and where she belongs.
The Song and Dance: Once again, I give Disney credit for attempting the racism parallels at all. Many people can certainly relate to Addison's delight when she realizes she's finally found a group she fits in with. I also like how the aliens are portrayed. They don't want to tear apart anyone. They just want to find a home. RuPaul gets some of the film's best lines as the literal Mothership who tries to act as a genuine mother to her extraterrestrial brood, and Terry Wu is nearly as funny as they try to figure out how they feel about Zed and these odd things called emotions. Speaking of, the design of the Mothership is just incredible. They actually did a really good job with the special effects there. It's huge and gorgeous.
Favorite Number: As in the previous films, we open with a big chorus number explaining who everyone is and what's about to happen, in this case "Ain't No Doubt About It." It's an "Alien Invasion" as the cast scatters, frightened or angry or shocked that these extraterrestrials have suddenly appeared and shaken up their lives. The werewolves encourage whomever attacked their moonstone to "Come On Out" and face the consequences of their actions. Everyone encourages Zed in his attempt at getting that scholarship by reminding him that he's "Exceptional Zed," and just him being in a "normal" school and playing on the football team is a great accomplishment.
Addison revels in the discovery of her alien heritage as she admits "I'm Finally Me"...and encourages everyone else to be themselves, too. The squad's big routine at the Cheer-Off has them "Fired Up," and gets the crowd just that as Addison finally completes an amazing twist in the air no one could do before.
Trivia: If you're like me and wonder why Eliza, the female zombie, spent the movie talking to her friends via an iPad, her actress Kylee Russell was pregnant during filming. The story is Eliza now works for Z-Corp, the business that makes the bracelets that repress the zombies' desire to eat brains.
An animated series based on the three films is currently in development.
What I Don't Like: This is yet another rehash of the first film, with the twist that the aliens are more goofy and curious than feral or monstrous. Once again, everyone forgets what they learned previously when the aliens appear. While the special effects have improved, the makeup and costuming still belies the series' low-budget streaming origins. The aliens look more like space-themed rock stars from the 1980's than anything out of this world. The zombies and werewolves are still just kids in bad green makeup and fur-trimmed jackets respectively.
And...frankly, all three movies push their "different is good," "be yourself," and "conflict can be good" morals with all the force of the zombies unleashed from their bracelets. They're not for anyone looking for something more subtle.
The Big Finale: While not my favorite Disney Channel musicals, these are still some of their better ones. Highly recommended for horror fans and musical lovers in the appropriate 8 to 14 age range.
Home Media: Currently a Disney Plus streaming exclusive.
No comments:
Post a Comment