[B-D Review] ‘Sick’ Plods Away Like Its Zombies

Movies
Posted by Mike Pereira on November 21, 2012 @ 12:54pm
Category: Movies / Indie

When it comes to the horror genre, one thing can be said for certain; zombies will never go out of style. With The Walking Dead’s ever-growing success, the undead’s audience has expanded even further into mainstream appeal. The series’ focus on the human element of an apocalypse has much to do with that. The Walking Dead’s compelling drama only heightens the horror. Co-Writer/Director Ryan M. Andrews’ (Black Eve) Sick follows that direction. It’s as much about the drama as it is about the fright factor. The film takes place two years after the outbreak in which a group of survivors attempt to live on in an unpredictable, dangerous landscape growing shorter and shorter on options.

By the plot description, it sounds like just about every other zombie flick you’ve come across of. Andrews admirably instils elements into Sick in order to make the film standout from the lot. Sadly the execution leaves much to be desired. The story construction is inept at best. The film meanders from one scene to another, devoid of any intention. Basic plot progression doesn’t apply here. The movie consistently feels disjointed. When Sick reaches its somewhat logical conclusion dramatically, the film continues on with its third act (if you want to call it that) without any clue of its destination. I guess the filmmakers were trying to represent the unpredictability of life in a hostile, zombie-packed environment but some semblance of basic narrative has to apply. Now I would forgo this if this character-driven piece had any actual character development. Their motivation and arc unexpectedly and unconvincingly changes on a whim. There’s no one here to get attached to for any reason which is a huge problem with any film. For a drama, Sick rings consistently dull which isn’t helped by the many awkward dialogue exchanges. For the most part, the ensemble cast doesn’t help matters much. READ MORE