Just when Michael arrives in Berlin to visit his ex-girlfriend Gabi, a terrible virus starts spreading across the city at a rapid pace, turning people into mindless homicidal maniacs. Much to Michael’s concern, Gabi’s not home; instead, he meets Harper, a teenage plumber’s apprentice at work in her apartment block. Together, they manage to barricade themselves when raging hordes of infected people swarm the building. Surrounded by these thirsty zombies, Michael and Harper have their hands full to survive – and it will take all of their ingenuity to make their way out to try and find Gabi
Well what do you know…German zombies…and they are not Nazi Zombies (well technically they are not Zombies but “Infected people” but whatever for the sake of this piece we are going to call them Zombies)
I can’t remember how I heard about this film – but I ordered it from Amazon and it arrived today so I figured I would check it out, like I have mentioned in previous reviews there have been plenty of German Nazi Zombie films over the years but not too many regular good old German zombies…
I don’t know about you but I really liked this film – I am a great believer in the fact that you can make a good Zombie film with out having to spend milions of bucks – its all about the story line. This one is set in a Berlin apartment building and some sap called Michael has gone to Berlin (from Austria) to win back his ex-girlfriend (note – that is never a good idea – move on) – the action starts within the first few minutes of the film and does not let up.
The Zombies – sorry “infected people” if ya want to get pedantic are pretty well done – they don’t look hookey and they move similar to the infected from 28 days later , shakes and shudders, animalistic running etc – the film is not overly gorey but I think that is a good thing – if you do not have the budget to pull it off right – keep the blood and guts to a minimum. The digital effects are used sparingly too – any one these days can add a ton of cheap effects with a cgi software program but again with a limited budget “less is more”.
The film runs pretty much an hour in length which again I think is perfect – all killer and no filler , the Hollywood film system pretty much dictates that films have to be 90 minutes in length but I would rather see an entertaining 60 minute story than a 90 minute one that is drawn out with rubbish for 30 of those minutes. Budding Zombie directors – please take note!
Again since this is German and not made within the Hollywood system the plot twists and pacing would never have been approved had it been made over here.
I also want to add I have been thinking a lot lately that someone needs to make a Zombie film with a Bike chase scene in it – well guess what these guys read my mind!
So for those of you who are looking for something different in a European Zombie film you can’t really go wrong with picking up a copy of RammBock: Berlin Undead.
Here is the trailer:
