Dead Snow (2009)

Norway 90m, Colour
Director:  Tommy Wirkola; Cast: Charlotte Frogner, Ørjan Gamst, Stig Frode Henriksen, Vegar Hoel, Jeppe Laursen,  Evy Kasseth Røsten, Jenny Skavlan, Bjørn Sundquist, Ane Dahl Torp, Lasse Valdal

Set at a remote cabin location in northern Norway, seven medical students on Easter vacation must defend themselves against attack by Nazi zombies. As a campy horror film, the over-the-top gore-filled action sequences in Dead Snow find a good balance between horror and comedy. The characters’ pre-existing knowledge of zombies and the film’s self-referential humour make for a surprisingly original take on a genre which has become well-worn in recent years. The film’s major weaknesses are its plot and the largely interchangeable cast members, whose only motivation is to escape being disembowelled and eaten. Considering the quality of the action sequences and the extreme amount of gore, the lack of an in-depth plot might be excused in lieu of the number and variety of top-notch zombie engagements (Klaus Ming March 2011).