Retardead

Retardead (2008)

Okay when I heard that there was a zombie movie out there that focused on the mentally handicapped turning undead I had to see the movie. I mean I think that sort of thing is funny and I run a website called Gutmunchers. Plus then I realized it was a follow up from the guys that made Monsturd, which is about a giant poop monster! So I sat down with my screener copy expecting to watch, for lack of a better word, a retarded little movie. What I didn’t expect was for the movie to be as clever and funny as it ended up being.

First the plot synopsis. If you have seen Monsturd the characters will seem very familiar, since they are all the same. Retarded can almost be considered a sequel of sorts since the same evil scientist responsible for the poop monster also creates the zombie outbreak. So basically the evil Dr. Stern experiments on the mentally handicapped students at a local “special” school. His serum makes them really smart, but then turns them into flesh eating zombies. They get loose and attack people who then get up and attack people. You know your basic zombie type behavior. The local sheriff and his deputies, Rick and Dan, have to try and stop the outbreak. That and survive because the government has quarantined the town. With the help of Dr. Stern, who they have arrested, an F.B.I. agent, and a serial masturbator named the Weenie Wanker they lure the zombies into a trap. But will they have enough ammo?

This movie is a blast. I was laughing my ass off thru the duration. The funny thing is that the zombies really aren’t that important to the movie. Most of the humor comes from the inept deputies Rick and Dan (played by the co-directors of the movie). These guys have some great onscreen chemistry and really know how to play a scene for laughs. Towards the end they get the job of meat man and meat man’s assistant, which gives them a chance for some great lines. Also these two characters get the chance to make some very funny movie references regarding the situations they find themselves in. Unlike many other low budget flicks that try to be funny they manage to pull it off. I think because the stuff is funny to begin with and the movie references are just tossed in as an extra bit of fun. Plus I’ve never seen a couple of actors that have a knack for making fake vomit so damn funny! The rest of the cast is also pretty good for a low budget movie. The biggest thing is that they all know their characters (many having played them in the earlier movie) and have some chemistry together on screen.

As funny as the movie is the effects can be lost in the shuffle. For a low budget zombie movie they do a damn good job with the effects. In fact I get the feeling that some of the sillier shots are actually done that way for comedy, rather than any lack of skill or budget. For example the obvious plastic and rubber limbs that make up the meat man suit is only made funnier by how goofy it looks. Other than that we get some nice bullet hits, a few limbs being ripped off, and a nice “Rhodes” like fate for one of the earlier victims. Oh and I was also impressed by how good some of the zombies look. And the make up is nice too (watch the movie and you’ll know what I mean!).

This is a really funny movie with a great cast, decent effects, beautiful ladies, and a cameo by David Friedman! I recommend this movie to anyone that is interested in independent movies, or just out for a few laughs. I know I’m glad to have it in my collection.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer