Scouts vs. Zombies: A Gory and Hilarious Ride of Teenage Mayhem
A raucously bloody comedy that brilliantly blends enterprising youth, undead hordes, and the timeless pursuit of friendship (and, naturally, sex).
The film introduces us to high school juniors Ben and Carter, who find themselves at that pivotal age where the call of “adult” endeavors typically trumps the innocent charms of the Boy Scouts. Yet, they find themselves reluctant to completely sever ties with their small troop, primarily due to their deep-seated loyalty to their best friend, Augie. Augie is scouting’s most devoted proponent, living and breathing its every tenet. The dilemma culminates in Ben and Carter’s decision to finally break the news to Augie: they’ve simply outgrown it.
However, fate has a far more gruesome farewell in store than a simple campfire goodbye. On the very day of their intended final joint camping trip, a terrifying zombie epidemic erupts, engulfing their unassuming small town. Upon their return, the trio discovers a chilling reality: the townspeople have either been swiftly evacuated or, far more shockingly, transformed into flesh-hungry monsters. Miraculously, only a select group of high schoolers, gathered for a clandestine party at an unofficial local club, seem to have escaped the initial carnage.
Among the untouched is Kendall, Carter’s older sister and the object of Ben’s unrequited crush. This revelation galvanizes the unlikely trio. Joined by an unexpectedly resourceful strip club waitress named Denise, they embark on a desperate, laughably violent mission to rescue their classmates before the relentless tide of reanimated corpses overwhelms them. Their adventure is a delightful (and disgusting) blend of coming-of-age anxieties and splatter-punk action.
Adding to the film’s memorable cast, audiences will spot a familiar name in one of the supporting roles: Patrick Schwarzenegger, the capable son of the legendary action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. Furthermore, the beloved and legendary Cloris Leachman graces the screen as the main character’s elderly neighbor. Leachman, an acting giant with an Academy Award for her performance in the 1971 classic “The Last Picture Show,” has been enthralling audiences since 1947, bringing seasoned gravitas—even within a zombie comedy.
A Reverent Nod to 80s Nostalgia
For those who fondly recall the cinematic landscape of the early 1980s, “Scouts vs. Zombies” brilliantly channels the spirit of that golden age. Back then, Hollywood had a seemingly insatiable appetite for crafting audacious movies about high schoolers, predominantly manifesting as raunchy comedies or gory horrors. These films, often saddled with restrictive “adult” ratings, were paradoxically designed to be irresistible forbidden fruit for teenagers. The producers’ marketing calculus was ingenious in its simplicity: first, young adults, nostalgic for their own formative years, would flock to theaters. Subsequently, adolescents, captivated by the allure of the “forbidden” and word-of-mouth buzz, would guarantee a robust and enduring run in the burgeoning video rental market.
Modernizing a Beloved Formula
While the era of sprawling video rental stores may largely be a relic of the past, the digital age has ushered in a new platform for consumption, and with it, a resurgence of films that perfectly emulate that distinct early-80s vibe. Think of modern classics like “American Pie,” with its frank portrayal of teenage antics, or the wildly popular “Superbad,” which captured a similar blend of awkward humor and genuine friendship.
And now, into this void steps “Scouts vs. Zombies” – a relentless high school comedy slash zombie action spectacular. This isn’t just a film with a little bit of gore; it’s a veritable fountain of blood, guts, and unapologetically explicit jokes that would necessitate its radical re-editing, trimmed by at least half, to even scrape by with a PG-13 rating. This uncompromising approach signals its true target audience: the peers of its main characters. It’s a glorious throwback, designed for anyone who yearns to rewind time for an exhilarating hour and a half and once again embody that hormone-addled, slightly rebellious mess of a teenager. It perfectly captures those wild daydreams: setting a detested teacher ablaze, enacting revenge on a ‘rich kid’, courageously saving the most beautiful classmate from an untimely demise… and perhaps, picking up a few ‘lessons in love’ from an alluring, world-wise twenty-something in a form-fitting tank top and cutoff shorts.
An Unabashedly “Guy’s Movie”
Despite the intriguing fact that “Scouts vs. Zombies” was originally conceived by a trio of female screenwriters, the finished product resonates as a quintessential “guy’s movie” through and through. It fully embraces the archetypal interests and rites of passage associated with male youth: the thrill of sneaking drinks before reaching legal age, the exciting (and slightly illicit) adventure of gaining entry into a strip club, the unwavering bond of male friendship, the yearning to impress attractive classmates, and, of course, the exhilarating (if gruesome) act of dismembering hordes of zombies with whatever happens to be on hand.
The film excels in showcasing improvised weaponry, transforming ordinary hardware store items into instruments of comedic carnage. A lawnmower blade, for instance, proves surprisingly effective in decapitating the undead with satisfying splatter. The film revels in this absurdity; it makes no distinction that these zombies were once peers, neighbors, or even familiar animals like cats and deer. Once they turn, they are merely obstacles to be dispatched, and the more brutally, the funnier. The trusty lawnmower, it seems, is poised to become an indiscriminate zombie-shredding machine!
Delighting in the Absurd
It’s crucial to understand that “Scouts vs. Zombies” makes no pretense of being a serious cinematic endeavor, and it wears this self-awareness like a badge of honor. The film is crammed with far more uproarious jokes and outlandish gags than it has genuinely nerve-wracking horror sequences. It doesn’t aspire to intellectual taste or sophisticated humor; quite the contrary. The picture luxuriates in its own vulgarity and basks in its straightforward, unrefined teenage cynicism. And it does so with such unbridled zest and infectious gusto that even the most jaded adult cynic is likely to find themselves chuckling, if not outright roaring with laughter, at various points. While evidently penned with a younger, less discerning demographic in mind, the sheer commitment to its own gross-out gags and puerile wit ensures its widespread appeal.
What to Expect from This Cult Comedy
Beyond the torrent of comically exaggerated bloody carnage, the genuine camaraderie of teenage friendship, and the resourceful (if unconventional) application of scout ingenuity, what else does “Scouts vs. Zombies” offer? Frankly, not much more – and that’s precisely its charm. The ensemble cast delivers adequate performances, fitting their roles well without achieving widespread memorability. Nudity is minimal, serving only to heighten the comedic edge rather than as a focal point. The fledgling romantic subplot is introduced but barely explored, serving mostly as a backdrop for Ben’s motivations. Psychologism is entirely absent; these characters are exactly who they appear to be. The zombie mythology adheres to contemporary standards – recognizable undead, standard weaknesses – without reinventing the wheel. None of the characters truly break free from established stereotypes, but in this context, it surprisingly works.
Christopher Landon, the director known for his work on “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones,” hasn’t crafted a masterpiece in the traditional sense, nor was it ever his intention. However, for anyone who harbors an affection for spirited zombie trash and boisterous high school comedies, his latest directorial effort is an absolute must-see. This is a cinematic treat perfectly tailored for those who enjoy a no-holds-barred narrative, making it an exceptional choice for a lively Halloween viewing party, especially with a group of friends.
Released in theaters from October 29, this film is a hilarious and unapologetic dive headfirst into chaos.
