Writer: Tim Carter (Screenplay)
Starring: Meghan Ory, Keegan Connor Tracy, Virginia Madsen, Jesse Metcalfe, Dennis Haysbert, Rob Riggle, Julia Benson, Patrick Sabongui, Harley Morenstein, Aleks Paunovic
Plot: A group of people fight to survive in a zombie infested town.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Great Homage to The Video Games
Story: Dead Rising: Watchtower starts by explain all about Zomdrex a cure that stops you becoming a zombie if you take it once a day. We than meet Chase (Metcalfe) running for his life and showing the comedy kills we are used to seeing in the video game series. We then get a flashback to a few days early as we learn about the third zombie outbreak happening around the US.
Chase Carter is a reporter looking at the Zomdrex camp trying to find a story when Crystal O’Rourke (Ory) catches his eye who completely shoots him down. Chase dreams of becoming the next Frank West (Riggle) the true hero of the video games who risked his life to get the original story. It isn’t long before we get the zombie outbreak happening at the medical center leading to Chase having to fight for his life and teaming up with Crystal. The unlikely duo team up with grieving mother Maggie (Madsen) as they find themselves trapped inside the quarantine zone.
Chase continues to try and follow the story which looks like the Zomdrex wasn’t working the way it was meant to be. It doesn’t take long before we see the idea of the build your own weapon which the game is famous for. Chase finds his way out when it becomes apparent that Crystal is on the Zomdrex and not showing any of the side affects others have been showing in the quarantine zone.
Jordan (Tracy) Chase’s camera lady gets out of the zone but continues to follow the story as the military turns up to clean up the situation with firebombing. We get constant commentary from Frank West telling everyone how they should survive and escape the situation in his own colourful way. We find out that zombies isn’t the only thing to be scared of in the quarantine zone as we see how certain twisted people are there and are enjoying the chaos. Chase must escape and uncover the truth about what is happening before his time runs out.
Dead Rising: Watchtower is based on the video game which is one of my favorite ones, so don’t expect to get a Walking Dead level story. This story ends up giving us everything you would expect to see from Dead Rising video game, it has all of the traits with the wacky over the top weapons and blood splatter around every corner. The most important word to describe this film world be fun but you could use enjoyable or easy to watch. I personally really enjoyed this because I am a fan but I could understand the non-fans thinking this is just another zombie film. As a fan I will rate this high because it could easily be put in the list of good video game adaptations. (7/10)
Actor Review
Meghan Ory: Crystal O’Rourke is the infected woman who knows how to survive zombies but she is running low on Zomdrex, meaning she has to fight her way through the zombies to look for her next dose. Meghan does a good job as the kick ass heroine of the piece. (7/10)
Virginia Madsen: Maggie is a grieving mother who loses her daughter to the zombie outbreak and ends up teaming up with Crystal and Chase to try and survive. Virginia gives a solid supporting performance but it really here to show the human effect of the outbreak. (6/10)
Jesse Metcalfe: Chase Carter is an aspirating reporter who finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak where his dreams of a story go against his quest for survival. Jesse does a good job in the lead role playing a character that is very similar for Frank West from the original game. (7/10)
Dennis Haysbert: General Lyons is the man in charge of the quarantine and the plan to firebomb the town, he makes himself look like the hero of the situation even though he has an alternative motive. Dennis plays the traditional General role solid but never offers anything new to the idea but doesn’t need to. (7/10)
Rob Riggle: Frank West provides a running commentary from a newsroom on how to survive the situation and simply not holding back on his comments. Rob steals every scene he is in as the charismatic Frank West the survivor from the original game. (8/10)
Support Cast: Dead Rising: Watchtower has a large supporting cast that includes the other people trapped inside the walls be it the good or the twisted, as well as the military outside the wall with Chase’s plucky partner trying to uncover the story from the outside.
Director Review: Zach Lipovsky – Zach does a good job here which is surprising after his last outing. (7/10)
Action: Dead Rising: Watchtower is filled with plenty of blood coated action throughout. (9/10)
Horror: Dead Rising: Watchtower puts us into a zombie outbreak making it feel like we are trapped much like the games. (8/10)
Thriller: Dead Rising: Watchtower does keep you wanting to see what happens next and who will turn up around the next corner. (8/10)
Settings: Dead Rising: Watchtower creates the isolation for our survivors as they become trapped inside the town. (9/10)
Special Effects: Dead Rising: Watchtower uses great special effects with the zombie kills throughout the film. (9/10)
Suggestion: Dead Rising: Watchtower is one for all the zombie fans to enjoy, it is really just fun and enjoyable to watch. (Zombie Fans Watch)
Best Part: Frank West everything about him was great.
Worst Part: It won’t please the serious zombie fans.
Action Scene Of The Film: Final fight.
Funniest Scene: Frank West interviews.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Could easily have one, depends how popular it was.
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Dead Rising Video Game.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 58 Minutes
Overall: Dead Rising: Watchtower is easily the best video game adaptation to date, fun filled, blood soaked entertainment.
Rating