In a small Scottish town, Anna has dreams of leaving to go travelling before university, much to her father's disappointment. However, in the morning after a Christmas talent show, Anna and her friends find herself battling Zombies as she tries to reach the school, and her father...
The Zombie sub-genre of horror has, I feel, been done to death. It is getting harder to come up with new ideas in the genre. Even Anna And The Apocalypse on the surface, story-wise, isn't anything new.
The idea for this film came from a simple thought. Co-writer Ryan McHenry while watching a High School Musical film had the thought, 'what if Zac Efron was attacked by Zombies?' From such a simple idea, one you have to wonder why no-one had thought of it before, McHenry made a small short, called Zombie Musical. From there he began writing Anna And The Apocalypse. Sadly, McHenry died of osteosarcoma in 2015 but co-writer Alan McDonald along with the producers kept the project alive, something McHenry hoped would happen after his death and now we have the realisation of that dream.
But wanting to keep a dream alive is one thing. Was the dream one worth keeping alive? In short, yes. Simply put, Anna And The Apocalypse is a total delight.
As I said, the basic story itself isn't anything new. Anna wants to go travelling, causing a row with her father. Her best friend, who loves her, is willing to go travelling with her rather than follow his own dreams. Steph, effectively dumped by her parents for the holiday wants to spend it with her girlfriend but can't. And one fights to find his gran and his girlfriend who are at the school. Anyone who knows the zombie genre will know not everyone will make it to the end, but like the better films, the writers have created characters that you will care about and you do hurt when they suffer.
As a zombie film it would have been a good one. But it's a comedy too and the humour works well too. It may not always be laugh out loud funny, but you are smiling throughout.
But it's also a musical. On paper this should be a disaster. But that's on paper. The songs by Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly are very good indeed, with Break Away possibly being my favourite one. The film doesn't do the big musical numbers, with two exceptions, Hollywood Ending and It's That Time Of Year an innuendo-laden song about Santa(!), instead using the songs to convey emotion during events taking place. Some critics have said it's 'Shaun Of The Dead meets La-La-Land.' Personally, while I understand the Shaun comparisons, musically I would say it's closer to the 'Once More With Feeling episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer in how it uses its songs.
Director John McPhail stages the musical numbers very well indeed, but he also handles the zombie scenes well too. It's a film that doesn't skimp on the blood and gore. It is a proper zombie film. Don't mistake that it's a musical or comedy. The stakes are high and blood will be shed. And you will get emotional as a result.
The cast are first rate. Ella Hunt plays Anna and is superb in the role, one that could potentially star making. She can sing, dance and act, capturing Anna's determination but also vulnerabilities. There is great support from Sarah Swire as Steph (she is also the choreographer of the film), Malcolm Cumming as Anna's best friend, John, as well as Ben Wiggins, Christopher Leveaux, Marli Su, Mark Benton and Paul Kaye. All sing their own roles and do them very well indeed.
The film is very well shot by Sara Deane, it's funny, charming makes you emotional, will break your heart and want to have you singing along. It really a terrific film. And the Christmas setting just adds to the film's magic.
I first saw this film at FrightFest London. I've seen it twice since then. Each time, it goes up further in my estimation. I have seen films that are better than Anna And The Apocalypse.
But I've seen few that I've enjoyed so much. One of my favourites of the year.
See it when you can. You can thank me later.
Rating: 5/5
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