A follow-up rather than a sequel to "Zombi 2", this film was begun by "Zombi 2" director Lucio Fulci, who had to leave the production due to a stroke. Second unit director Bruno Mattei and screenwriter Claudio Fragasso were then asked to step in and finish what he'd started. They cut his approximately 70 minutes of film down to about 50 or so and then added about 40 minutes of their own. Once again, apocalyptic events abound, due to the actions of a terrorist, who'd tried to abscond with a biological weapon. He gets infected, and when his body is later cremated, it allows the virus to spread and infect other innocent people, who die and return to life as crazed, ugly killers. A group of uninfected survivors struggle to make it to safety.
As you can see, this is a rather routine plot, but the directors do what they can to at least make it entertaining. One good thing is that the gore is lots of fun; few people can do splatter and zombie makeup as well as the Italians. The movie begins its life as being agreeably cheesy and comical, to alter its tone somewhat in its second half and become more atmospheric. What's interesting to note is that at one point we actually hear a zombie talk, a zombie with whom one of the main characters is all too familiar. A hilarious and memorable highlight is seeing a severed zombie head fly out of a refrigerator and attack someone. Horror fans will roar with laughter when they see this. This would seem to indicate that the movie is never meant to be taken too seriously.
One thing that really makes "Zombi 3" entertaining is the utter absurdity of the performances, especially Robert Marius as Dr. Holder. His delivery is just riotous. Adding some flavour is the presence of a DJ character somewhat like Super Soul in "Vanishing Point": Blueheart, a really cool cat. Deran Sarafian, who just so happens to be the son of director Richard Sarafian, who did "Vanishing Point", stars as good guy soldier Ken, and he'd go on to direct Hollywood action pictures such as "Death Warrant" and "Terminal Velocity". Lovely lady Beatrice Ring co-stars as the determined Patricia who keeps moving and doesn't let a limp stop her. It's also great to see Ottaviano Dell'Acqua, the worm eye guy from "Zombi 2" and the lead in "Rats: Night of Terror", as another of the soldiers.
Ultimately, "Zombi 3" isn't destined to become iconic like its predecessor did, but it's perfectly acceptable entertainment while it lasts.
Seven out of 10.
As you can see, this is a rather routine plot, but the directors do what they can to at least make it entertaining. One good thing is that the gore is lots of fun; few people can do splatter and zombie makeup as well as the Italians. The movie begins its life as being agreeably cheesy and comical, to alter its tone somewhat in its second half and become more atmospheric. What's interesting to note is that at one point we actually hear a zombie talk, a zombie with whom one of the main characters is all too familiar. A hilarious and memorable highlight is seeing a severed zombie head fly out of a refrigerator and attack someone. Horror fans will roar with laughter when they see this. This would seem to indicate that the movie is never meant to be taken too seriously.
One thing that really makes "Zombi 3" entertaining is the utter absurdity of the performances, especially Robert Marius as Dr. Holder. His delivery is just riotous. Adding some flavour is the presence of a DJ character somewhat like Super Soul in "Vanishing Point": Blueheart, a really cool cat. Deran Sarafian, who just so happens to be the son of director Richard Sarafian, who did "Vanishing Point", stars as good guy soldier Ken, and he'd go on to direct Hollywood action pictures such as "Death Warrant" and "Terminal Velocity". Lovely lady Beatrice Ring co-stars as the determined Patricia who keeps moving and doesn't let a limp stop her. It's also great to see Ottaviano Dell'Acqua, the worm eye guy from "Zombi 2" and the lead in "Rats: Night of Terror", as another of the soldiers.
Ultimately, "Zombi 3" isn't destined to become iconic like its predecessor did, but it's perfectly acceptable entertainment while it lasts.
Seven out of 10.