Netflix's 'ridiculously entertaining' zombie heist movie that 'works perfectly'

Zack Snyder, the mastermind behind blockbusters such as Watchmen, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, brought his unique touch to Netflix with his 2021 post-apocalyptic film, Army of the Dead.

The zombie heist movie boasts a stellar ensemble cast that has left audiences thoroughly entertained. One critic on Rotten Tomatoes described the film as an "unusual creation," but noted that it all seems to come together perfectly.

They penned: "Very unusual production. The director plays with many motifs and genres here, creating a very unusual creation that, despite its quirks, works perfectly, not only laying the foundations for a new universe well but also introducing a lot of threads that will provide food for all theory fans. Time loop? Aliens? It's all here."

Set in a deserted Las Vegas overrun by zombies due to government mishandling, the plot revolves around a billionaire casino owner's abandoned fortune, locked away in a vault. A group of mercenaries with the necessary skills are tasked with retrieving it.

In a daring move, they decide to risk it all and venture into the danger zone to execute a massive money heist. The billionaire makes them an offer they can't refuse - secure the money before the US president's plans to obliterate the zombie-infested city with a nuclear strike, reports the Mirror US.

A critic said: "Zack Snyder's ridiculously entertaining latest is a zombie heist movie with gore at its core."

Meanwhile, an audience member acknowledged the film was "not great," but confessed they still had "a lot of fun."

Despite a limited one-week theatrical debut in the US owing to its immediate digital release on Netflix, Army of the Dead clawed its way to victory in the Oscars' Fan Favourite contest at the 94th Academy Awards. During its brief stint on the silver screen, it raked in a cool $1 million.

A review said: "Army of the Dead is a thrilling cinematic experience that brilliantly blends action, horror, and a touch of dark humour. The movie's intense pace keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, with each scene carefully crafted to deliver maximum impact.

"David Bautista's performance is nothing short of extraordinary; he brings a deep, emotional complexity to his character that adds a surprising layer of depth to the film."

Starring former WWE star Dave Bautista, who's supported by Omari Hardwick, Yellowjackets lead Ella Purnell, Theo Rossi among others, the cast delivers compelling performances despite missing original member Chris D'Elia, who was digitally replaced due to sexual misconduct accusations.

The cast's performances have garnered acclaim, but some viewers disparaged both the ensemble and the script. A disgruntled cinemagoer blasted: "The worst roster of characters I've seen in a zombie movie, and probably the worst writing."

One enthusiastic fan took to social media praising the film: "Great zombie flick; the opening sequence alone was top-tier, over-the-top entertainment. The movie was flashy, had a great cast, and had a great story. So many questions that I just can't wait for them to be answered."

They continued, delving into the re-watch value: "Lots of crazy things you will spot after re-watching multiple times. Zack set a good foundation for a hopeful franchise to take off".

For action lovers on the lookout for an easy-watch yet high-octane zombie experience, Army of the Dead is presently available for streaming on Netflix.