disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES -- A Vibrant Dramedy about Grief

7/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Review by Sean Boelman
Picture
Though its title would almost suggest that it’s a new horror flick, Makoto Nagahisa’s ambitious directorial debut We Are Little Zombies is actually a crazy new dark comedy with a very distinctive voice. And despite the fact that it loses some of its steam heading into its final act, it ultimately sticks the landing to be a surprisingly touching watch.

The film follows four Japanese orphans who, after meeting at the crematorium where their respective parents’ funerals are being held, decide to form a rock band as a way to cope with their grief. This is far from an average indie band underdog story, though, as Nagahisa takes the tropes of the genre and deconstructs them in a way that is almost self-referential.

Admittedly, one of the movie’s biggest weaknesses is that it is so hyperactive that it can almost be difficult to follow at times. There is a lot going on in any given moment, making this a film that demands multiple viewings to make sure that one catches everything that it has to offer. This segmented nature can be frustrating at times, but also lends it a great deal of energy.

More energy is given to the movie by its vibrant and idiosyncratic visual style. Very obviously inspired by 8-bit video games, Nagahisa’s film is often bright and poppy, creating a stark juxtaposition with the undeniably dark subject matter that the story explores. Still, by creating this fantastic world, Nagahisa immerses the viewer in the emotion of the movie.
Picture
The script does a very good job of exploring these ideas in a way that is satisfying and sometimes hard-hitting. Yet even though it deals with issues that are traditionally “easy” targets for the heart strings of audiences, Nagahisa never falls back on the cheaper and more artificial methods of pulling on emotions.

There could have been more time spent with the other three bandmates, but the protagonist (who also narrates the film) is a very compelling character. Nagahisa’s take on youth feels entirely authentic and honest, selling even some of the more ridiculous and fantasy-based moments in the narrative.

All four of the leads — Keita Ninomiya, Mondo Okumura, Satoshi Mizuno, and Sena Nakajima — are super charming. Although the songs may not be “good” in a traditional sense, they’re catchy, and the four give a hell of a performance. The stars also have great chemistry together, making the friendship elements of the story work quite well.

We Are Little Zombies doesn’t quite hit all of its shots, but it works much more often than it doesn’t. For audiences looking for an uplifting and lively musical, Nagahisha’s movie will almost certainly scratch that itch.

We Are Little Zombies hits theaters and virtual cinemas on July 10. A list of participating locations can be found here.

Rating: 4/5
               
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About