Movie Review: Dead-Alive (1992) directed by Peter Jackson
Times have been tough on Skull Island since the colonialist exploiters stole the island’s biggest attraction, King Kong, back in the 1930s. And now another colonialist has come for a specimen of the Sumatran Rat Monkey, which despite the name is found only on Skull Island. Explorer Stewart McAlden is determined to have one for the Wellington zoo in New Zealand. He even has a permit, though not from a government the Skull Island natives recognize. Knowing what the creature’s bite does, they try to persuade the explorer not to take it, but to no avail. McAlden loses his head over the specimen, but the die is already cast. It’s New Zealand’s problem now.
It’s October, and you know what that means! Horror movies! Admittedly, not that different from most months for me, but more so. I’m starting off with Peter Jackson’s third film, and the one that got him noticed in the U.S. (with a name change from BrainDead). It’s an over the top horror comedy, which set records for the amount of fake blood and gore used.
The Sumatran Rat Monkey, poor creature, isn’t in the zoo very long before it runs across Vera Cosgrove, who’s there spying on her son Lionel’s date with new sweetheart Paquita. Vera is a controlling woman who has been the sole target of Lionel’s affection since the drowning of his father years ago. (Lionel still has traumatic flashbacks about the experience.) She gets too close to the monkey cage and it bites her. Vera promptly stomps it to death, but the damage is done.
Vera becomes Patient Zero of an infection that turns its carriers into rotting monstrosities that aggressively seek human flesh. The situation is not helped by Lionel’s bumbling attempts to hide what’s going on. He’s soon hiding zombies in the basement, only to be discovered by Uncle Les, a venal man who only sees the creatures in their quiescent state and blackmails Lionel into letting him have the inherited money and being able to stay in the very nice house.
Uncle Les, not being good at keeping matters quiet, invites a bunch of his rowdy friends over for a loud party. When an attempt by Lionel and Paquita to finally end the creatures’ wretched existence backfires, the stage is set for a massacre!
The 1957 New Zealand setting is nifty, though I am sure I am missing some cultural references that Kiwis find hilarious. There’s some standout scenes, such as Father McGruder’s brief moment of glory (“I kick arse for the Lord!”), Lionel chasing a baby creature around the park (specifically shot to use up the rest of the budget) and of course Lionel demonstrating his lawn care prowess. As a gorefest, don’t get too attached to any of the minor characters.
I found some of the early cringe comedy stuff more unwatchable than the seriously gory moments, particularly when Lionel and his mother are trying to have a quiet dinner with important guests. Paquita is a love interest because “fate” (the plot) says so. And having Uncle Les be an attempted rapist in addition to his other dastardly qualities seemed a bit much.
Recommended for horror fans with strong stomachs, and Peter Jackson fans interested in his earlier work.
