The zombie is a tried and tested… and tested theme within the horror genre, ranging from sober social commentary to light-hearted comedy. As a result, it is now difficult to be surprised or presented with something really different. There is also no doubt that the spectre of Shaun of the Dead looms large over British horror comedies in particular, with few able to match it’s charm. I’d mostly put my tepid response to Shed of the Dead down to that, particularly as the film deliberately invokes Shaun on several occasions.
Synopsis: Trevor spends much of his time in a shed on an allotment. Instead of gardening he paints figurines and, along with his agoraphobic friend Graham, dreams of his fantasy alter-ego. The small matter of a death on the allotment and an undead remake jolts Trevor into action to save his wife, her friend and his way of life.
The well-worn loser-turns-hero in a crisis trope is in full effect here. Trevor (Spencer Brown) begins as a fairly unlikeable, lazy character who undergoes a transformation and while your mileage may vary in terms of if he’s any more likable at the film’s close there are clear attempts to develop characters.
There is solid enough chemistry between Trevor and friend Graham (Ewen MacIntosh). Lauren Socha is given pretty standard ‘overbearing wife’ material but does deliver it well. The real highlights are the supporting and cameo cast. Kane Hodder playing against type as an allotment owner with a desire for neatness is suitably fun. Emily Booth camps it up tremendously and there is another very fun cameo thrown in too.
Brian Blessed narrates the fantasy elements of the film which adds colour to segments I could have done without, although it does add another element to the film.
The main issue with Shed of the Dead is that it is a bit too crude to be feel-good, but not dark enough to be taken seriously. That, alongside jokes that feel like they’ve been pitched elsewhere to greater effect means I couldn’t entirely warm to it, despite a few moments where I genuinely wished I could.
Still, if you are looking for something which doesn’t demand too much attention and offers some good gags it is worth checking out.
Shed of the Dead is showing on Saturday at Sci-Fi-London and is available to buy from Monday.
scaredsheepless 