Dead Meat (2004)

Such a frustrating disappointment

A Masterpiece!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

When I was attending a horror convention with a friend we bought together this flick, the man who sold it had a big laugh on his face just to give the statement, you've been ripped off but it costs only 2 euro's so we couldn't be ripped off I guessed. Was I right, this is an excellent zombie flick. Of course it's low budget and it shows but it gives something extra on it. I mean, the night scene's are a bit too dark so you don't really see what is happening so by that way you can't see the cheap effects, but again, they are well done. Just watch out for the end when the zombies really attack. There are decapitations, pitchforks going into bodies and everything else you would like to do to a attacking zombie. That's all done very well but the make up of the zombie's faces are really bad. But don't hesitate to go search for it, is will well worth your money. The only thing I could say that was a bit annoying was the Irish language, I have nothing against that but it is sometimes hard to understand and sadly there were no subs on it.

It may be hampered by poor production values, amateurish acting, dreadful dialogue, and a derivative script that veers awkwardly between horror and splatstick comedy, but low budget Irish zombie flick Dead Meat is at least a lot of fun, which is more than I can say for some of the dreck from the 'Emerald Isle' that has been passing for horror in recent years (see Isolation and Shrooms).Director Conor McMahon wisely opts to ignore the fact that the genre has already been 'done to death' and concentrates instead on keeping the action flowing: his plot, a basic fight for survival against the undead in rural Ireland, allows for plenty of gory mayhem, and the introduction of several colourful characters midway through keeps proceedings fresh until the inevitable showdown between the film's final survivors and the mounting zombie hordes.By utilising hand-held DV camera-work to lend an urgency to proceedings, McMahon delivers some surprisingly effective scenes (although I would have liked to have seen a little more thought put into shot construction during less treacherous moments) and the director also makes great use of his amazing rural locale, capturing some beautiful imagery whilst staging action in both vast open spaces and restrictive, claustrophobic buildings (including a run-down rustic cottage and a couple of historical ruins).Sometimes, the comedy angle doesn't work as well as it might (particularly when strong Oirish accents make understanding dialogue rather difficult) and the gore isn't always that convincing (although it is certainly very enthusiastic!), but on the whole, this is an admirable effort.6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.

Helena (Marian Araujo) and her boyfriend Martin (David Ryan) are traveling in the Irish Country for the weekend. When they hit an man by accident on their car but what seems to be accident, this man attacked them and he bite Martin in the neck. After Martin kills this crazed man, Martin becomes increasingly weak. Helena tries to find help for her boyfriend but suddenly he attacks her. While Helena is running for her help, she finds help from a mysterious gravedigger Desmond (David Muyllaert). Helena finds out from Desmond that it all started with some several farmers are been serving dead meat to the call. Which the meat is been infected with an Mad Cow Disease. When these cows get sick, they bite and kill several adults by infecting them. Which they become mindless zombies and affecting others in the country side of Leitrim, Ireland.Written and Directed by Conor McMahon made an decent, somewhat imaginative low-budget effort horror film. I read many reviews of this film saying this is a Horror/Comedy. But i don't see the comedy in this movie but it certainly tries hard. Dark Comedy element failed in this picture, which i thought, it has many unintentional funny moments. Also the make-up effects are amateurish at best but i felt the digital video camera work in the film by Andrew Legge is good, however. Perphas what's truly missing in this effort is the lack of real scares.DVD has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD also includes an behind the scenes featurette, an short film titled "The Braineater" and trailer. There's decent performances by Araujo and Muyllaert but don't quite feel something for these characters. Although the premise is good, since in the old days Farmers did feed dead meat to their cows. Which it's illegal now, which Farmers are not supposed to do. The movie is watchable but it's hurt by failed black comedy and an unsatisfying conclusion. Although, Horror Fans will find some enjoyment here. (***/*****).

I absolutely HATE zombie-movies! But this one, this one was wonderful (if you can say that about a zombie-movie! I've read some reviews and everybody states that this one is for zombie-lovers, but that is so wrong. The things that make me like this film is that it has a fine mixture between horror and humor. Like, I can be scared to death and then seconds later I can laugh so much it brings tears to my eyes. I like the characters too, especially Desmond, he's the coolest ever ^^ The Irish accent is wonderful, not only that an Irish accent is beautiful, but somehow it brings even more humor to the already funny comments :D There are very funny scenes too, and scary ones. I might think it's scary since I have a zombie-phobia but I think I read that someone else got scared too. Anyway, I have a favorite scene *SPOILER*: and that is when they're driving the car and they see the zombie-bride. When she sees them and turns around and begin to run! Its so darn funny I laugh only to think of it :D *SPOLER ENDED* Those kind of things makes this movie a movie everyone should see. It's all fun and scary at the same time. The only thing that disappoints me is that it's so short. Besides I'm a bit confused about the ending. *SPOLER* I mean, what happened to her and all the other survivors? An old friend told me that they were making food of them, but I don't know. To me it looks like they're just taking them away in a not so very mild way... But maybe I'm naive :P *SPOLER ENDED* Anyway, not even the low budget effects bothered me, but I never really care about effects as long as the movie itself is good. So why am I not giving this movie more than 7? Because it's a zombie-movie and the shortness. Still it's the best zombie-movie ever, and remember: I HATE ZOMBIE-MOVIES!