The fear, the terror, the panic will eat you alive.|Sep. 21, 2021|United States|70 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Animation;Fantasy;Horror;Mystery;Thriller
Description: “Night of the Animated Dead,” released in 2021, is an animated film that attempts to bring the classic zombie genre to life once again. As a fan of zombie-themed movies, I was intrigued by the cover and decided to give it a watch, despite knowing little about it beforehand. The title itself hinted at its connection to George A. Romero’s iconic “Night of the Living Dead,” which piqued my curiosity.
However, the experience was far from satisfying. The animation style was a major letdown, bearing no resemblance to the eye-catching poster art. Instead, it reminded me of the simplistic Flash animations popular in the 1990s, which felt outdated and amateurish. The visuals lacked polish and seemed more suited to a beginner’s project than a professional film.
The storyline, while solid, was essentially a direct adaptation of Romero’s original work. While this might appeal to some viewers unfamiliar with the classic, it felt unnecessary to me. The original “Night of the Living Dead” has already been remade multiple times, making this animated version feel redundant. The lack of originality, combined with the subpar animation, made the film seem like a missed opportunity.
On a positive note, the voice acting was decent, with notable performances by Josh Duhamel and Will Sasso. These familiar names added some credibility to the project, though they couldn’t save it entirely.
For newcomers to the zombie genre, “Night of the Animated Dead” might serve as an entry point, setting a low bar that enhances the appreciation of superior films like Romero’s original. However, for seasoned fans, it’s likely to be a forgettable addition to the genre.
Cast director: Jason Axinn
Cast actor: Josh Duhamel, Dulé Hill, Katharine Isabelle, James Roday Rodriguez, Katee Sackhoff, Will Sasso, Jimmi Simpson, Nancy Travis, Stefan Marks, Chris Edgerly
Original name: Night of the Animated Dead