As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
With horror, sometimes it can feel like there's nothing new under the sun. When you get into certain subgenres, you feel that even more. Then, there's zombies. A particular brand of horror that, when I started watching zombie films in the early 90's, there used to not be much out there to sink your teeth into. Over the years, it's become so over saturated, that new ideas are few and far between. The few diamonds in the ruff, are usually half baked ideas or so low budget that the core idea is lost. There are always exceptions, where the idea may not be new, but the execution is so well done.... that we don't care. (ie: 'Train to Busan') Then there are films that not only take the genre and twist it into a new realm, but succeed in doing it with some substance and bravado. 'The Girl With All the Gifts' is an example of that. This film takes something we've all seen a 100 times before and puts a spin on it, that makes it into something else. It has deep and rich characters, superb actors and a gripping and intelligent story line. It's far from perfect, but it made me remember why I've always loved this genre and the potential for social commentary it has.
The film begins with a military style installation, where some of the last remains of human civilization are working with undead children. While they still hunger for human flesh, they have retained their human intellect and the ability to learn. They're kept in cells, overnight, but during the day they are subjected to a classroom style education and study. Medical professionals monitor what they accomplish in their studies and are working towards using the children for a possible cure. Among all of the subjects, one stands above the rest, Melanie. An intelligent, eager and very well spoken little girl. She appears to be like any other child her age. The only difference is that she is triggered by a hunger and the smell of human flesh. One of her teachers, takes notice of her and fosters her will to be a little girl. Meanwhile, the head scientist overseeing everything, has other plans. During the course of this research, the base is overrun by zombies and a small band of survivors goes on the run, including Melanie. They begin seeking out one of the other outposts, in the hopes of finding safety and the ability to continue their research. As their numbers begin to dwindle, so does their hope. Soon, they realize there is even more at stake then they had ever imagined.
What immediately sets this film apart from all the rest, is the little girl playing Melanie. In her first role, Sennia Nanua, hits the ground running. She creates a very touching and realistic performance, as a child who didn't want to be born into the skin she's in. However, the life she has is the only one she's ever known. During the course of the film, the more she learns, the more she understands her role in this new world. Joining her in the cast is Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine and Glen Close. All of them came with their 'A' game and ready to play out this script, as though it was up for an Academy Award. You don't see this much in our beloved genre. Horror is typically looked at as nothing more than popcorn fodder. Something to be devoured, but not anything of real substance. But with the dawn of the 'Deathwave' movement and the social acceptance of horror, we're beginning to see this trend more and more. Sadly, Hollywood gets in the way, a lot of the time. Watering down the tale with worn out cliche's and a dumbing down of the narrative. Luckily, that's not the case with 'The Girl With All the Gifts'. What we end up with, is all of the tropes of a good zombie film, and so much more.
This film doesn't break new ground with every aspect of it's story, but with the parts that it does.... it goes for the jugular. I don't know why this garnered such huge buzz before it came out, only to kind of fall by the wayside in the end. Perhaps it's because so many people only saw it as still being a horror film. Unable to look past the bits of blood and gore, to see what's truly going on behind the curtain. In my humble opinion, 'The Girl With All the Gifts' deserves every bit of a 4 out of 5 star review. There's drama, action, zombie fun and a whole hell of a lot of solid acting going on. Glen Close has never been one to be known for 'phoning it in' and this film is no exception. Based on the novel of the same name, by M.R. Carey, there's a lot of new mythos that's added in this tale and some fantastic world building. I don't think this should, could or would need a sequel, but it does leave some unanswered questions. It also ends on a bit of a question mark. However, the entire film seems to come full circle and closes on an interesting up note. At nearly a two hour run time, I almost wish it had been longer or that they had focused on some aspects with more detail. There was such a rich story line that was only touched upon with minor exposition, that it made me hungry for more. In the end, I highly recommend that you see this film. It's not the greatest zombie film I've ever seen, but it's head and shoulders above most of what the genre has to offer these days.... and that's saying a lot.
If you like this, also check out: 'Train to Busan', 'The Battery' and 'Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead'
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