Vegas ain’t the same anymore in Army of the Dead

by Kathia Woods

Zack Snyder is bringing us the first true content for the Summer Army of the Dead, fresh off the release of Justice League. The planet is in shambles. There is a chance to obtain a pass and a substantial payout, but the path is littered with zombies. We've arrived in Las Vegas, where the bright lights have been turned off. The town has become desolate, and the undead now run the streets.

The film begins with a military convoy of trucks and vans on the Nevada plains. Since the convoy is carrying valuable cargo, it is conducted in secret. Sgt. Kelly (Michael Cassidy) and Corp. Bissel (Zach Rose) are concerned about the top-secret package in one jeep. It's likely that it's a visitor from the undead. Kelly has been told to stay away from the transport vehicle at all costs. According to Bissel, another possibility is that it's an alien.

Curiosity is about to destroy the two soldiers. A newlywed couple is the reason for the unveiling. Their preoccupation with each other, rather than concentrating on the lane, results in an accident. The crash killed them as well as the majority of the soldiers in the convoy. Bissell and Kelly are still alive. When the secret cargo drops, they quickly realize why it was kept hidden. Zeus (Richard Cetrone) appears and lets out all of his bottled-up anger. The soldiers try to fight back, but Zeus quickly outmuscles them, rendering them prey for him.

The film then shifts to modern-day Las Vegas. The opening credits depict the transformation of the town from a party hotspot to a zombie haven. Snyder's grim humor can be seen in the showgirls fleeing the monsters. In the opening credits, the elderly are frightened away from their prized slot machines. This type of comedy is prevalent throughout the movie. The city of Sin has finally met its match.

A government announcement that a "dirty bomb" is about to be dropped adds to the chaos, but casino mogul Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) plans to retrieve something valuable before the town is destroyed. You see, he owns a casino with a $200 million-dollar secret vault. Naturally, he needs to get the money back before the city burns down. He does not intend to do the job himself, as do all moguls. Scott Ward has arrived (Dave Bautista). Ward is a widower and a down-on-his-luck line chef. He's also a well-known mercenary. Because of his shady background, he knows similarly shady characters who can help him pull off this heist. Ward will receive $50 million if he succeeds. He also has a say in how the money is distributed.

Scott must now begin putting together his team after accepting the challenge. In addition to assembling a team, he must contend with the fact that the bombing would damage innocent citizens who are in quarantine near zombie-infested areas. Many people in that encampment are thought to have been exposed to zombies.

A film like this would be incomplete without any family drama. This is given by Scott's daughter Kate Ward in Army of the Dead (Ella Purnell). She is, of course, is working in the quarantine shelter as a volunteer.

Normally, this family aspect would be considered excessive, but this film thrives on it.

Army of the Dead is a film that is all about action, adrenaline, and having a good time. This film succeeds because of this band of misfits, which includes zombie hunters, wise asses, a spiritual warrior, and a topnotch safecracker.

The casting of Bautista as Scott Ward was fantastic. He's the boss, but he's not exactly polished. Some of the melodrama between him and Kate should have been cut out.

Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer) is another amusing character. A clumsy locksmith who is too analytical. One of the best action combos I've seen in a while is his friendship with Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick), a professional soldier with a Zen-like spirit. Marianne Peters (Tig Notaro) plays a bumbling but competent helicopter pilot. Normally, a job like this would go to a male, so it was refreshing to see a woman in such an unbalanced role.

The action, as well as the unexpected natural humor, are both excellent in this film. Army of the Dead is one of Snyder's best films, demonstrating that he can deliver not only thrilling action but also some much-needed levity. A great cast and some terrifying zombies make for a fantastic Netflix summer release.