Today’s pick was the 2013 found-footage Dutch-American film by Richard Raaphorst, Frankenstein’s Army. The 1st person perspective only weighs the film down. In fact, it makes the horror scenes look more like a commercial for a local haunted walkthrough.
The film focuses on a group of Russian soldiers who are making their way through Germany at the tail end of WW2. The receive a call for help, and stumble upon a secret Nazi laboratory, where the Nazi scientists are building… wait for it… zombots. That’s right, these stitched up weapons are half zombie people, half robot, and all crazy. The Nazis have taken a cue from the original Victor Frankenstein’s notebook, using his recipe and descendant to whip up some kooky monsters.
The movie seriously lacks a coherent plot, and when it tries to create and solve tension, it fails miserably. The characters are one dimensional and completely deplorable. I mean, seriously, couldn’t the filmmakers make one of the protagonists remotely likable. I blame the writers for the fact that I had no choice but to be on team zombot. The biggest mistake this film makes is trying to create a third act that takes itself way too seriously.
So should you waste your time? Maybe. If you are super into Frankenstein fiction you might like some of the ties to the original work. Also, if you enjoy over the top gore and practical fx, you might enjoy this film. The zombots are fun. And so are the kills. It almost reminded me of a schlocky bad 80’s flick in the best way. Afterall, it’s not every day that you get to watch a literal motorhead zombie attack bad guy soldiers. I am not sure if you are supposed to take this film seriously, but, if you don’t, you can have a little fun.