Dead Snow II: Red vs. Dead

Studio: Well Go USA
Directed by Tommy Wirkola

Oct 15, 2014 By Shawn Hazelett Web Exclusive

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead is a ridiculous movie, with a ridiculous premise, that knows it’s ridiculous, but thankfully doesn’t care. It’s also a sequel, but anyone unfamiliar with the exploits of the first is caught up immediately. Skiers vacationing in the Norwegian slopes stumble upon a chest full of gold. Nazi gold. And uncovering it comes with a price: the reanimation of a regiment of Nazi zombies. Led by Colonel Herzog, the regiment wreaks havoc on the unfortunate group, killing everyone except the cunning Martin. Despite losing an arm, Martin discovers the zombies’ intent, ditches the gold, and quells the uprising.

Or, so he thinks. In the sequel, we learn the true intent of zombie Herzog: to complete an unfinished mission to liquidate a Norwegian town that aided the Allies. In his way is Martin, who – in a terrible hospital mix-up – has acquired a new zombie arm. Though controlling the arm presents a challenge (and results in the deaths of countless innocent bystanders), it affords him a rather uncommon gift: the ability to raise the dead. He thus uses his newfound talents to resurrect an army of Soviets murdered by Herzog’s regiment, giving the zombie Soviets a chance to exact some revenge on their Nazi opposites.

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead could have been a lazy movie, but writer/director Tommy Wirkola is too keen let his imagination run wild. The film rarely doubles back, always looking for fresh ideas to trump those that come before. (Human intestines are used in many ways.) The film is both an homage to and a subversion of the zombie genre and has a surprisingly good sense of WWII history. Some ideas do fall flat (the Star Wars-obsessed nerd jokes continuously feel forced) and the movie lacks the nuance of an Evil Dead or Shaun of the Dead. However, Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead is the type of movie where even if an idea doesn’t work, its sheer audacity will make you laugh.

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