FleshEater is not usually a movie discussed by the general public when the topic of zombies arises, but perhaps it should be. There is a lot to like about this picture, despite some of the clichés present. One of the few things that stands out is the zombies, and they are actually the main reason one should tune in, as they are unlike many of their brethren one happens to see, whether found on the big or small screen.

Directed by S. William Hinzman, the filmmaker has a passing familiarity with the genre, as he appeared in the original Night of the Living Dead. Not only does he direct, but he also writes, produces, and stars in the film. One might think that would hamper production, but the man had a clear vision and executed it in the best possible way. It ends up being an entertaining movie as Hinzman not only peppers his film with a lot of very gory kills, but he throws in a fair amount of nudity, quite a bit of action and sets a very steady pace to keep it all going, ensuring that his audience keeps themselves glued to their seats. Those who watch this film will find it a campy affair with a fair bit of cheese, but not quite as ridiculous as some might think. As soon as the first death occurs, the movie never really lets up, and while the zombies are a little silly-looking, their actions and single-mindedness make them frightening as well.

As one might be able to tell, Hinzman’s zombies are not the average, shambling members of the undead that most are used to seeing. Each filmmaker wants to make their mark when portraying these particular creatures, and Hinzman is not alone in that respect. Here, these zombies seem to have some sort of thought processes still going throughout their rotted brains. They can wield weapons with apparent intent and possess at least some functioning logic centers, given their behaviour. They still want blood and brains and human flesh, but the way they seek it out and how they go about getting it is something entirely different than most of the undead. The special effects are surprisingly good, and there are times when they become quite gruesome. The picture is not particularly interesting, given that viewers have seen this type of material repeatedly; however, there is a bit of black humour that at least makes it slightly intriguing, and more importantly, keeps its audience watching.

There are, of course, comparisons to be made to other zombie films, and it cannot be helped, but Hinzman and company at least try to do their own thing. While everything unfolds quite nicely, the ending is a bit of a letdown on one hand; yet, one can see why it had to go that way, which makes it kind of perfect. It is good to see that a happy ending is not always as happy as it seems, which is perhaps why it might have left a sour taste in some people’s mouths. With the acting and the script not being as polished as they could have been, FleshEater can thankfully rely on its monsters to keep things rolling along and, for the most part, entertaining.

2.5 out of 5