Director: Corbin Bernsen
Writer: Kenny Yakkel (Screenplay)
Starring: Bill Moseley, David Moscow, Larry Drake, Corbin Bernsen, Patricia Tallman, Navid Negahban, Joshua Feinman
Plot: Logan Burnhardt is the ego-king of the airwaves, but his unflappable persona is put to the test when a terrorist bio-attack unleashes a plague of flesh-ripping maniacs on Los Angeles.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Strong Horror Thriller
Story: Dead Air starts as we meet our radio presenter Logan (Moseley) who is one of the most listened to men on the air and hosting a show about paranoia. Logan along with his co-host Gil (Moscow) shot down most of the callers as being idiots.
The show takes a turn when Logan receives call about some sort of attack on the city turning his team Gil, Burt (Feinman) and Lucy (Tallman) into the means of communication to the listeners. As the story unfolds we learn that this not just a riot but a zombie attack. Logan must keep his listeners updated to what is going on while finding a way to save his own family.
Dead Air came out at a very similar time as Pontypool so it is going to very difficult to not compare the two. First off the idea that we follow just the radio host works really well because sometimes horror is better if we don’t see what is happening. The issue with this is we do see events happening on the outside but saying this there is a saving grace by having a separate twist on the outbreak which I can’t give away here. Overall this isn’t as strong as Pontypool but still a good contender for horror film.
Actor Review
Bill Moseley: Logan is the number one radio host in the city that is hosting a show on paranoia when America finds itself under attack by a zombie outbreak. He is the ears hearing the stories about what is happening and spreading the word to any survivors listening to his show. Bill is great in this leading role showing how he can play the good guy in what is one of his strongest performances to date.
Patricia Tallman: Lucy is the producer of the show and ex-wife of Logan who has to keep him in line on air but now she sees this as a chance to increase the audience even more joining the pair on the air. Patricia is good in this role showing strength when needed.
Joshua Feinman: Burt is the technician on the radio show that adds in the sound effects and picks and choices the callers, he investigates what is going on within the building when things first start happening. Joshua is solid in this supporting role.
David Moscow: Gil is the co-host of the show who has always been second fiddle to Logan but his act of bravery will show Logan just how much he respects Logan for giving him his chance. David is good in this supporting role.
Support Cast: Dead Air has a supporting cast that fills us in with the information of what is happening as well as following the terrorists making this attack a bigger message.
Director Review: Corbin Bernsen – Corbin gives us a very good spin on the zombie genre that is filled with twists along the way.
Horror: Dead Air gives us a horror side to the story where we don’t see everything happening instead we listen to the events unfolding.
Sci-Fi: Dead Air adds in the sci-fi side of the story as we see the world coming to a standstill because of the outbreak happening.
Thriller: Dead Air keeps us on edge throughout as we wait to see just where this attack will leave our characters.
Settings: Dead Air keeps a large amount of the story inside the radio station but where this film misses the trick Pontypool has by having scenes outside of the studio.
Special Effects: Dead Air has the basic effects used inside the zombie genre without needing them too often.
Suggestion: Dead Air is one I would suggest the horror fans out there to give a go to, it has a strong twist on the genre. (Horror Fans Give It A Go)
Best Part: Concept with extra twist.
Worst Part: Leaving the station.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Pontypool
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Tagline: Spreading nationwide Winter 2008
Overall: Good horror with nice spin.
Rating
