It’s a little difficult to know what to make of Anna and the Apocalypse. It’s a zombie film … but it’s also a musical! And for me, the two elements just don’t mesh together.
Anna is at university/college with her friends when the zombie apocalypse hits. She manages to survive it by breaking into song every five minutes or so and staging impromptu dance numbers and songs with everyone else on screen. It’s a little like High School Musical with zombies, or episodes of My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend but with a lot more musical numbers.
The zombie plot and action is actually ok with some nice effects and decent scares, but the musical element intrudes to the extent that you just want them to get on with it! Oh, and it’s also set at Christmas … so it’s a Christmas Zombie Apocalypse Musical …
It’s got an excellent cast with Ella Hunt as Anna taking the centre stage and knocking it out the park with her singing, acting and dancing. There’s also Paul Kaye as the creepy University Head Mr Savage, and Mark Benton as Anna’s dad, Tony.
There’s a nicely staged Jocks vs Zombies fight scene, lots of chases, and lots of singing and dancing.
I suppose it depends what you like! If you are a fan of High School Musical and Zombie mayhem then this will be right up your street. If, like me, you find the singing and dancing a little tedious, then perhaps not.
Cast includes Ella Hunt as Anna Shepherd, Malcolm Cumming as John, Anna’s best friend, Sarah Swire as Steph, Christopher Leveaux as Chris, Ben Wiggins as Nick, Marli Siu as Lisa, Mark Benton as Tony Shepherd, Paul Kaye as Arthur Savage, Calum Cormack as Santa Claus, Euan Bennet as Jake, Sean Connor as Graham, Janet Lawson as Mrs. Hinzmann, Kirsty Strain as Ms. Wright, Ella Jarvis as Katie and David Friel as Paramedic.
It's a Zombie Christmas!!
Movie title: Anna and the Apocalypse
Movie description: A zombie apocalypse threatens the sleepy town of Little Haven - at Christmas - forcing Anna and her friends to fight, slash and sing their way to survival, facing the undead in a desperate race to reach their loved ones. But they soon discover that no one is safe in this new world, and with civilization falling apart around them, the only people they can truly rely on are each other.
Date published: April 23, 2019
Director(s): John McPhail
Actor(s): Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
David J Howe, is the author and co-author of numerous books about the TV Show “Doctor Who”, as well as being a freelance writer and Editorial Director of Telos Publishing Ltd.
