Gangsters, Guns and Zombies (2012) Review

Gangsters, Guns and ZombiesAlthough the film Gangsters, Guns and Zombies does contain cockney gangsters, plenty of guns and some undead, human-flesh-hungry zombies, this low budget Brit horror has much more to it than the clichéd cash-in title suggests.

After successfully engineering an armed robbery, getaway driver Q (Vincent Jerome) and the misfit bunch of tooled up hooligans he hangs with are on the run with the money in tow.

When they discover the police surrounding their safehouse they set out on route to a second hideaway with one of their number mortally wounded.

While on their quick escape however, they gradually realise that the populace around them seems to have changed somewhat. Soon they realise that that they’re witnessing the dawn of a zombie apocalypse.

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies

As the gang try to come to terms with the zombie hordes taking over England, debating on ‘what to do next’ the situation is not helped by the fact that the criminals in the getaway van are as almost as unhinged as the undead outside it.

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies

As a big fan of Cockneys Vs Zombie I was understandably dubious when I first saw Gangsters, Guns and Zombies, believing it to be a rushed out money spinner, attempting to make a monkey or two out of the East End monster mash-up that had gone before it.

But from the opening you can see that director Matt Mitchell, who co-wrote the film with Taliesyn Mitchell, has much more to offer. The film throws you straight in with Tarantino-esque dialogue blended with Guy Richie cockney caricatures that sit just the right side of ridiculous, centered by a fine performance from Vincent Jerome as Q who is the audiences eyes and ears on the whole madcap situation.

Cleverly, the first act of the movie is played out predominantly in the van as the gangsters escape, with the madness going on outside in miniature zombie movie vignettes, some of which are somewhat scary and some of which are frankly hilarious.

This decision to keep the no good cockney villains contained ups the movie’s originality, as well as the drama and character development whilst intelligently avoiding the limits of the small budget> This makes the film almost a road movie as well as a horror comedy heist.

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies

With plenty of gore keeping the horror lovers happy there are some great lines and laughs, and with the story getting more serious in the second act – as they seek refuge in a windmill with a plucky old lady and her granddaughter – the film even manages to throw in some romance and drama.

Okay so it does lose momentum in the final act and does get a little cheesy. But as a first movie for the director as well as most of the cast it’s a fine attempt and shows promise for all their future endeavors.

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies Gangsters, Guns and Zombies

Working as a horror, comedy, gangster, romance, drama, road movie, Gangsters, Guns and Zombies offers swearing, gore and one liners and is well worth checking out. It would definitely appeal to anyone looking for something different in the over populated zombie genre or to fans of early Guy Richie and the many copycat films that have followed.

You can also check out our exclusive Gangsters, Guns and Zombies Prequel comic right:
Gangsters, Guns and Zombie Prequel Comic

Movie Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

Trailer:

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Alex Humphrey

Alex studied film at the University of Kent and went on to work for Universal Pictures in their Post Room gaining an inside look at the movie industry from the very bottom. Constantly writing reviews in everything from local magazines to Hip Hop sites Alex honed his critical skills even spending a brief period as a restaurant critic. Read more

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2 Comments

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  • […] To celebrate Gangsters, Guns and Zombies which is out on the 7th of January and is reviewed right here we have a specially made 6 part Prequel Comic. The film follows a getaway driver for a group of […]

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  • So happy to see that someone GETS this movie! Too many don’t seem to realize that it’s a comedy/horror movie and as such is absolutely brilliant. Made on a shoestring (most of the actors & crew worked for free) this film drew people to it based on the storyline – which is also why I love it. A bank heist, romance and buddy on the road film that just happens to be a comedy and a zombie gore-fest. . . its a fantasticly fun movie.

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