Alix Wilton Regan:  Leeann
Rob Oldfield:  Jonesy
Okorie Chukwu:  Carter
Vicky Aracio:  Kayne
Tobias Bowman:  Nicholson
Russell Jones:  Goke
Hiram Bleetman:  Manny

Release Date: October 11, 2011
Studio: Dimension Films
Genre: Horror / Zombie
Unrated  1 hr 28 mins

CAST:

Zombie Diaries 2: World of the Dead

October 23, 2011

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

DIRECTOR:

Michael Bartlett
Kevin Gates

*Comments:

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World of the Dead: The Zombie Diaries (or Zombie Diaries 2: World of the Dead in the US) follows the aftermath of The Zombie Diaries.  Yes, the shoe-string budget Blair Witch meets Night of the Living Dead mash-up that pre-dated Romero’s bloated and tepid Diary of the Dead. The original was a rather so-so affair that actually wound up being a bit more entertaining than Romero’s excessively preachy take on YouTube and video cameras.  However, given the success of the original, the director’s have gotten a chance to continue the story in all of its shaky-cam glory.

Zombie Diaries 2 picks up where the last film left off.  The zombie outbreak across the British country side has continued to worsen and a group of army reservists are trying to maintain their base while committing to random searches for survivors and supplies.  Sole-survivor of the media crew (from The Zombie Diaries), Leeann (Alix Wilton Regan) is held up at the base and the dead are swarming the gates. Soon the facility is overrun and Leeann is saved by a few soldiers who decided to escape into the country side.  Held up in a cabin, the dead continue to stalk the survivors while commander Jonesy (Rob Oldfield) devises an escape plan.  Things continue to worsen as the group are forced to cross the country on foot.  Jonesy heard that outside military forces are set to napalm bomb Britain and they need to get to the last operational port before it closes.  The trek has even more challenges as a group of bandits (also from The Zombie Diaries) are also hot on their trail, slowly picking off the group one by one.

In terms of sequels, Zombie Diaries 2 is light years ahead of the original.  It has better production, better story, better acting, better zombies and better gore.  The film also works nicely as it is one complete story, not three different tales combined into one like the original film.   Also the midnight dashes through zombie-filled woods and a snowy setting gives Zombie Diaries 2 some nice visuals. In fact, the falling snow enhances the scare factor and creates a great atmosphere. The hand-held footage isn’t as nauseating and fuzzy as the original either.  The beefed up budget has greatly enhanced the franchise and allowed the film to visually expand upon its strict plot nicely.

But there are a few complaints.  The shock factor of zombie rape as well as human rape really doesn’t do much for the film.  Both sequences are intended to show the vileness of the bandits, but ultimately come off as exploitative and offensive. Also the flashbacks that appear when the camera is turned off are confusing and unnecessary as they are not explained until the end of the film.  The intention was to add another layer to the film, fails to deliver anything intense as it doesn’t add much and could have easily been skipped.

Zombie Diaries 2 is a quick film that features a fast journey full of pitfalls.  When the group is stuck on foot the film really soars and the snowfall looks amazing lit only by the camera light as it makes the night even darker.  But in terms of zombie films; it’s rather mid-grade.  While vastly superior to the original and more fun than Romero’s hand-held film, Zombie Diaries 2 won’t blow anyone away.  People who don’t like “found footage” type films will groan, but those zombie enthusiasts dismayed by garbage like Zombie Strippers will cheer.   Zombie Diaries 2 is worth a viewing if you enjoyed the original or want to see how Diary of the Dead probably should have been done.