By David Dent
Entrepreneurial Sonny Mahal, who has some form with this type of flick, is just one of a staggering – I kid you not – 165 associate and executive producers that have in some way contributed to – and possibly financed – this zombie action offering.
The impressively inked up Robert LeSardo, whose involvement in an endless stream of low budget horror flicks has made him a household name (and face) for this sort of thing, starts as tough as nails US Army General Vasquez. The General’s unit is defending itself from marauding zombies, who have also overwhelmed the local town, placing huge pressure on the emergency services and causing the occupants to fear for their lives.
One of the army’s number, Sgt. Hernandez (Kate Watson) is made responsible for guarding a bridge, a key staging post in the fight against the infected. But as she valiantly fights off the enemy with her team, there’s another, deadlier threat that lies in waiting to add to the woes of the military.
Director Michael Su wants us to believe that no one in his movie has ever encountered the concept of the zombie before; “it’s new territory for us” one soldier says, which is rather pushing it. Su peppers his gung-ho opus with lines like “we’ve got to take this country back” as Vasquez and his crew mow down wave after wave of zombies, and there’s enough local colour in the supporting cast to suggest that they probably agree with the sentiment, whether or not they’re in role. Oddly Su has obviously decided that LeSardo should have his not inconsiderable skin illustrations covered up for the role, which is surprising as it’s kind of the actor’s USP, and he looks a little lost without his tatts.
Bridge of the Doomed is about as good as you expect it to be, but at 79 minutes minus end credits it doesn’t outstay its welcome, and some of the military vs zombie attacks are impressively grisly.
Bloody Flicks 