New Hampshire is a state that doesn’t see a lot of films made in it or about it. This is largely due to the fact that the state doesn’t provide tax breaks for films. While that fight is still being fought by professionals for more opportunities, that doesn’t mean that films aren’t made here. Two films have premiered at the local theater “The Flying Monkey”, both from Jamie Sharps. The first film being Tucker’s Crossing, which I also reviewed and I thought was very good.
Zombie Boy, Sharp’s newest film, has a lot of local talent involved including PSU teacher Mathew Chaney who plays the title character. Kyle Brew (played by Al Gilman) is a simple man living in the woods of New Hampshire. However, when a deal taking place in his barn that he is unaware of goes bad, he takes in former criminal Max. Max is turned into a beer chugging zombie after he’s injected with a green serum. After Kyle takes him in, he buries the serum so it can never be used again.
However, Frank, Max’s former associate still wants the serum and is willing to do anything to get it. This includes using ninjas, ski mask wearing maniacs, and even a ruthless man named Mr. Greenfeld. With the help of Kyle’s father and “zombie boy”, Kyle must protect this lethal serum from getting into Frank’s hands.
The number one thing I can say about Zombie Boy is that everyone must have been having fun during the making of this film. Everyone takes the film seriously but with a sense of fun and chemistry that really makes this film stand out. While it hasn’t been talked about much, there is a definite western influence. This seems to be more based on frontier western movies that take place in northern states. This helps the film stand out when the film could have taken a more stereotypical route.
Speaking of stereotypical, Zombie Boy doesn’t really act like other zombies. He doesn’t crave human flesh, although he does kill deer and eat them alive. He also very much stumbles around and is very good at chess. Mathew Cheney really has a talent of face and brings life to this character. He doesn’t push it to absurd too often and even when he does it’s still funny.
When this comes out on DVD, it’s highly suggested that you pick up Zombie Boy. All the effects are done practically which adds to its special nature. The acting is spot on and you won’t be wasting your time. I personally hope that more films come out of New Hampshire so that more films can premiere at “The Flying Monkey” and we get to see more local talent.