The Disney April 24, 2018 DVD release of the February 2018 Disney Channel movie "Z-O-M-B-I-E-S" is a terrific reminder that the Mouse Factory still makes 'em like that. (This also coincides with your not-so-humble reviewer getting a stack of titles ranging from "The Sword in the Stone" to "Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2" through a new membership in the Disney Movie Club; yes, this bounty includes both Disney Channel "Descendants" films.)
Disney Channel fare presenting an idealized version of even lower-income teen life and sometimes being a little heavy-handed regarding "very special episodes" does not diminish the fun of watching enthusiastic young actors perform their hearts out before evolving to a stage that they are very naughty to prove that they are all grown up.
The final diversion into Blogland is that Disney Channel tweencoms are the fare of choice while making Sunday brunch and during (reviewed) stays at the incredible Wentworth by the Sea Hotel. At the same time, the overall concept of "Liv and Maddie" still evades your not-so-humble reviewer; they just seem to be high schoolers going about their daily business without any "hook."
The aforementioned elan is very apparent in the audition footage of Milo Manheim, who plays lead zombie Zed. This segment is one of the scads o' DVD extras and shows Manheim bounding around the room like a puppy on coke as he delivers the expository narration that opens "Z-O-M-B-I-E-S." He is the boy that anyone would love to have live next door.
The scene-stealing/thin white dude/sidekick this time is Bonzo. This excitable boy staying true to his heritage includes refusing to speak the language of his oppressors. Zombie/hacker Eliza more strongly advocates actively fighting for equality.
The aforemtionted narration explains that a freak accident at a nuclear power plant in the community of Seabrook, which is a real New Hampshire city with a nuke facility, releases a cloud of toxic gas that creates the titular brain-craving walking dead. The better news is that scientific advancements in the 50 years since that incident have led to the zombies and their offspring having relatively normal lives thanks to wrist bands that suppress their feral nature.
The segregation at the beginning of "Z-O-M-B-I-E-S" extends to a literal wall dividing the uberDisneyfied pristine world of the "normals" and shabby chic Zombietown. The catalyst for the film is a decision to have the zombie teens attend Seabrook High with the kids whose natural food cravings are less cerebral than their new classmates.
The Juliet to the zombie Romeo is perky unnaturally blonde freshman Addison, whose greatest desire is to join megaperky queen bee head cheerleader/cousin Bucky on the championship Seabrook High cheer squad. The audience quickly learns of her "flaw" that we also know will lead to a dramatic coming out near the end of the film.
Our "Maria" threatening to inflict a "low kick" to our "Tony" during their introduction to each other indicates that Disney acknowledges that we are in the 21st century.
The highly segregated integration of the teens from both sides of the wall initially prevents Zed from pursuing his dream of playing football. This changes when his demonstrating his mad gridiron skills earns him a spot on the team. The kicker (pun intended) is that being a star jock requires unleashing the inner beast.
All this leads to a more peaceful co-existence at Seabrook High until the inevitable reminder that the dark side of the neutered team mascot is near the surface. This, of course, leads to Addison standing by her man. He, in turn, proves his willingness to take one for the team.
A related message in all this is that evil comes in all shapes and forms.
The aforementioned gaggle of bonus features are all must see; they include hilarious outtakes, deleted scenes, additional audition footage, a music video, and a separate sing-along version of said video.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Z-O-M-B-I-E-S" is strongly encouraged to email me; you alternatively can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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