The Neon Dead is like less like watching a movie and more like watching a video game. It encompasses the best and worst of video games. So while at times the movie is a ton of fun the results are mixed with the final product being merely ok.
Allison Hillstead (Marie Baker), a recent college graduate, just inherited a new home but things aren’t as nice as they seem. While the house is quite large and very nice, there appears to be some paranormal activity. Unsure of what to do she gets a lucky break when a girl scout stops by and gives her the business card of a couple of paranormal investigators named Desmond (Greg Garrison) and Jake (D. Dylan Schettina). Desmond and Jake turn out to be a couple of slackers that work at the local grocery store, but they like to fancy themselves as paranormal investigators and eagerly accepting the job.
When Desmond and Jake showing up at Allison’s house they immediately come in contact with some type of creature thing. A big portion of The Neon Dead is debating what the creatures are. Jake and Allison call them zombies but Desmond thinks they’re something else. Later in the movie though there are zombies, so that aspect all very confusing but it’s like 50% of the dialogue. Whatever the case may be, Jake and Desmond do battle with the thing and are able to defeat it with salt. Things should be good now, right? Nope, we’re just getting started. There’s a whole army of these creatures and they all have neon eyes and are controlled by some smiling king.
The Neon Dead is very rough around the edges. The dialogue is spotty at best with a bunch of humor that feels forced and often lands flat. The story also gets very muddled by trying to create something more complex than it needs to be. As the film moves along with learn that the things terrorizing Allison’s house are actually controlled by one of her great relatives who is controlled by an ancient demon. There’s all these flashbacks that attempt to explain things but just get in the way. It’s all unnecessary fat that doesn’t need to be there. Cut that garbage out, keeps the house, the demons attacking and let’s have a war of man vs monster. That’s all we need!
While the story trips all over itself the visual effects and final battle serve as the saving grace. The Neon Dead is written and directed by Torey Haas, a VFX artist known for his work on films like V/H/S Viral, and for what Haas lacks in writing a coherent story he makes up for with his VFX knowledge. The film is called The Neon Dead. The monsters, or whatever you want to call them, have these wonderful pops of neon colors – blues, reds, greens, pinks – and it really does look fantastic. When these creatures are on screen the film is very appealing to look at. In addition to the great colors I think the practical effects and creature design are solidly done. Some of it is a little cheesy, especially when they defeat creatures and pick up their bones, but it all has a fun feel of a B-movie.
In the end The Neon Dead manages to offering up a number of enjoyable moments but is never able to fully find it’s footing. As a filmmaker this is certainly something Haas can build off going forward. He’s got the visuals down, just needs to get rid of the story elements that are boring and get in a way, and just have fun.
So I suppose that leaves us with the question of whether or not I would recommend The Neon Dead? I would, but just keep your expectations in check and don’t expect too much.
The Neon Dead is now available on DVD and Digital HD from Wild Eye Releasing.
