Sarah Dumont, Tye Sheridan and Logan Miller |
The dark new horror comedy "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse" is the teenage nerd's survival guide to battling zombie's, and while it has some bloody, fun moments, it's a mess of a movie in more ways than one. What could possibly go wrong when three buddies (Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan) decide to join the Boy Scouts? When bloodthirsty, undead ghouls invade their once-peaceful town, it's up to kindhearted Ben, quick-witted Carter and class clown Augie to save the day. With help from Denise (Sarah Dumont), a beautiful but tough cocktail waitress, the boys must put their scouting skills to the ultimate test to save mankind and earn their zombie-killing badges. Directed and co-written by Christopher Landon, who has been associated with some of the "Paranormal Activity" films (he wrote three of those films and directed 2014's "The Marked Ones"), the likable "Scouts Guide" is peppered with enough blood and merriment that will please those who enjoy the zombie genre, though it's not as funny or satisfying as other films in this genre such as "Warm Bodies" or "Life After Beth," with all of the characters here - especially the teenage trio that must save the day - in overused stereotypes. It starts off well with some nice, bizarre, off-kilter moments, such as the turning of funnyman David Koechner (of the "Anchorman" films), as the Dolly Parton singing scout leader, into a zombie, but falls apart in its last act, in a bloody climax that's so contrived it's sure to provoke some eye rolls and "yeah, whatever's." "Scout's Guide" is bloody fun for a minute or two, but as far as zombie's go, this one really lacks bite for your Halloween Weekend. Definitely not worth your time.