The Zombie-heist movie Army of the Dead by director Zack Snyder gained huge popularity on Netflix. So much so that a prequel centered around the character of Ludwig Dieter has already been released. In Snyder’s typical style, Army of the Dead is highly energetic and oozes class. Snyder characterizes the town of Los Angeles. He uses it as the battleground for the man vs. zombie trope in the film.
Army of the Dead was released earlier in 2021. It quickly became one of the most recognizable zombie movies of the year. This is also Zack Snyder’s second major release of the year after the director’s cut of ‘Justice League’ came out.
You should definitely know a few things about the film before watching it. We have tried to holistically cover every necessary pointer for you without giving too much away. So let us start with the trivia! Happy reading.
The Setting
As colorful and exuberant with life, the city of Los Angeles serves as the setting for the film. Imagine a present-day LA with ravaged streets turned into a warzone and zombies wandering around. Snyder’s observant eye captures LA to become a character itself in his storytelling. The tremendous architectural prowess of the city is exploited to its fullest by him. There are many iconic spots in the city that you will see become the backdrop for many scenes.
LA natives will have a fun time seeing Snyder and Co.’s rendition of the place they call home. Almost all of what is seen on screen is a result of special effects. Hence, there has been little shooting on location. But the striking similarity is for all to admire.
The Plot
The story begins with a “cargo” transported from Area 51. During the convoy, the cargo comes undone, releasing whatever was inside to the outside world. The creature goes on to wreak havoc and infects the entire city of Los Angeles. A quick flashback shows how brave military personnel and the national guard fight off the infected. They close off the city’s boundaries, thereby containing the spread.
A wealthy Japanese businessman approaches some of these fighters to retrieve a cash vault from the city. A super team assembles to achieve the mission beset with various twists and turns involving betrayals, heroic acts of sacrifice, and a hefty war between the living and the undead.
The Cast
The blockbuster cast is led by former WWE superstar Dave Bautista, having quite a ball in Hollywood. The wrestler-turned-actor has tasted commercial success, starring in the Galaxy, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune most recently. He plays the leader of the super team that is tasked with retrieving the vault with bags full of cash. Ella Purnell plays his daughter of ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. ‘ The father-daughter duo shares a strained relationship, and it is quite an enduring feature of the storytelling how they reconcile their differences.
Completing the super team are action regulars Omari Hardwick (‘Spell,’ ‘Shot Caller’), Ana de la Reguera (‘Goliath,’ ‘Nacho Libre’), and the extremely impressive Matthias Schweighöfer in his English-language debut. Additionally, musician Tig Notaro plays a supporting role in the cast. Finally, for Indian fans out there, Huma Quereshi has a sizeable role as Geeta in the film, an immigrant looking for her children who are sent across the border.
Snyder’s Inspiration
This is not Zack Snyder’s first zombie film. His first-ever feature film was released in 2004 called ‘Dawn of the Dead,’ which was inspired by the 1978 classic of the same name. Although featuring conventional zombies in a typified setting, a revisit of this film gave Snyder the idea to innovate in the genre. Around the same time, he also visited ‘Chinatown’ starring Jack Nicholson again. The manner in which the city of Los Angeles was depicted in the movie piqued his interest to set the film in the said city. The combined effect of these viewings prompted him to begin the writing process.
In addition to the thematic feel of these two movies, Snyder also had the Gerard Butler ‘300’ in mind to lend some teeth to the film. Most of the “Alpha” zombies in the movie are directly based on Spartan warriors in terms of physique. The mercurial director has called the film a “spiritual successor” to his debut film but not a direct sequel. Instead, he titled the project Army of the Dead to tribute to another classic zombie franchise, ‘Night of the Living Dead.’
The inspirations mentioned above play a big part when you look at them. From the concept to the execution, Snyder pays a fine homage to these great films that you can watch after “Army of the Dead.”
It Almost Didn’t Happen
Snyder’s inspired ’Army of the Dead’ almost did not happen due to financial constraints. The film was passed on by several production houses and studios, who did not like the cost overlay of shooting in LA and Snyder’s peculiar vision for the film. Names like Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment dropped out of the project, citing budget issues. The script went through several re-writes due to creative differences between Snyder and other writing team members.
It was Netflix, finally, who stepped in and saved the film, giving Snyder the requested time and money to make this spectacle. On getting the dream partner, Snyder said, “I thought this was a good palate cleanser to dig in with both hands and make something fun and epic and crazy and bonkers in the best possible way. I love to honor canon and the works of art, but this is the opportunity to find a purely joyful way to express myself through a genre.”
All hail Netflix!
Visual Effects 101
Due to the sheer scope of the project, most of what you will see is derived from special effects. Snyder himself loves the use of visual effects that ensure an amended version of what he sees in real places and cut down on filming on location. The digital reconstruction of the city of Los Angeles is a compelling watch in the documentary created about the making of the film. The special effects team has done a tremendous job here, from a zombie tiger to the dilapidated buildings.
Many modern techniques were used to capture minute details of casinos and their helipads for several days. The added obstacle of not being allowed to film the locations made the challenge even more exciting. It truly is a marvel seeing how far technology has taken the world of cinema. The endless possibilities sure seem like an excellent way to expand horizons for ambitious filmmakers like Snyder!
Pop Culture Heroes Turned Zombies
LA’s happening nightlife is replete with heroes of our pop culture. The city is the place that buzzes with celebrity impressionists going away at their chosen art forms. The most common sighting is an Elvis character, with a mic in his hands in his signature style clothes and hairdo. ‘Amr of the Dead’ on Netflix is not the only zombie film that pays homage to the great musician. Remember Woody Harrison in ‘Zombieland 2’? An elaborate sequence is where he visits the star’s deserted house built like a museum. The Elvis connection indeed binds the two films together.
Most of the film’s soundtrack comprises Presley hits like ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and ‘Suspicious Minds.’ So it is only fitting that he is one of the most prominent zombies in Snyder’s LA. The film pays homage to other background artists, including Barbara Streisand, Goldie Hawn, King Caesar, and former US President Donald Trump. However, you would not really call him a people’s hero. There are several other celebs that you will be able to spot in the background, crawling unfazed somewhere.
What Should You Expect?
‘Army of the Dead’ on Netflix is the banger of 2021. Action-packed, high on emotions, and the familiar sight of undead zombies going after human flesh make this Snyder film an electric experience. The pure adrenaline rush that you will experience is down to the wholesome execution of various facets of the production by different stakeholders. In addition, the fast-paced narration provides welcome surprises and an ending that will take your breath away.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out some of our other content down below: