After a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries takes the ultimate gamble by venturing into the quarantine zone for the greatest heist ever.

Returning to the playground of zombie horror which first started his career with 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, long-time blockbuster filmmaker Zack Snyder makes the shift to Netflix with Army of the Dead, a quasi-sequel of sorts to his original work on Dawn of the Dead which re-imagines a new zombie outbreak in Las Vegas and mixes in a high-octane, larger than life casino robbery with a group of very out-there and electric characters. Snyder is once again on point with this new adaptation in Army of the Dead and he seriously blows things up thanks to a mixture of hard-hitting action, intense character development and freakishly inventive zombie horror gore.

While we all think we understand and know what a zombie horror movie is, Snyder throws that out the window this time with Army of the Dead. Yes, there are zombies, and yes there is gore, but he really shifts things up with his creativity and imagines a brand new zombie world after the fall of Las Vegas. While we have the dead and ghoulish ‘scramblers’ in Army of the Dead, we also have a new species of zombie, The Alpha, a set of creatures who show extreme strength, speed and intelligence and who are this hyper-primordial new species of fearsome monster. These ‘Alpha’ zombies are legitimately terrifying and Snyder’s use of them throws the action of his movie in a brand new direction, and it’s a solid addition to a genre where we thought we had seen everything. And yes there is a ZOMBIE TIGER!

Army of the Dead is first and foremost a ‘men on a mission’ type of movie, and Snyder assembles a large ensemble cast to break into Las Vegas for the ultimate heist job. Leading the pack is Hollywood heavy-hitter, Dave Bautista, as Scott Ward, a former Special Forces soldier turned mercenary who faced the initial zombie outbreak head-on and who has been left broken by it. Finding a last-ditch effort for redemption he jumps at the chance to enter Vegas, to not only provide for himself and his team with a massive score but also to re-connect with his long lost daughter Kate (Ella Purnell).

While Bautista has long proven that he could handle heavy artillery and high action sequences, it’s the emotional connection of a father trying to protect and reconnect with his daughter where he really shines in here. Bautista brings considerable depth and emotional weight to his performance as Scott, and it’s a side of him that we are beginning to see more and more of and he’s proving that he has a real talent for performance. Bautista’s team-up with Snyder produces a great working relationship that leads to a great performance on Bautista’s behalf. Whether he’s kicking zombie ass or leading an emotional scene, Bautista gives it his all and the film’s penultimate moments between Scott and Kate are sure to leave you on the verge of tears. It’s a great turn for Bautista and I hope like hell we see him working with Snyder down the road again.

Joining Bautista in Army of the Dead as his rag-tag merc crew are Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Nora Arnezeder, Tig Notaro and Matthias Schweighöfer. Each of them is a stand-out in their own way, and each of them gets to put their own mark on Army of the Dead. As Vanderohe, Omari Hardwick brings a considerable philosophical stoicism that counterbalances his alpha-male standing, while Ana de la Reguera has a can-do attitude as soldier-mechanic Maria who jumps head-first into the chance to rob Vegas. Nora Arnezeder is the tough-as-nails and scrappy coyote Lily, who helps Scott and his team breach Vegas and she’s a definite dangerous woman. Then there’s Tig Notaro whose pithy comments and smirky attitude as helicopter pilot Peters lead to plenty of off-kilter humour. But the scene-stealer is definitely Schweighöfer as German safecracker Ludwig Dieter who has a blast as this high-strung character and he injects so much fun into the movie.

Army of the Dead is a film that really goes its own way and it’s not the movie that you expect. Its action, drama, humour and zombies really defy the conventional genre setting and that results in a very fun watch. All throughout Snyder zigs and zags with this story and the kill count rises quickly, with plenty of gore thrown in for good measure and audiences seeking action-zombie-horror fun at the height of its insanity, which is amplified even more thanks to the film’s Las Vegas setting, will be well-impressed by the results. Snyder and his cast clearly had a blast working on this project and it absolutely shows on screen in all its blood and guts, hellfire zombie-mania glory.

If you’re seeking some late-night fun and are looking for a double dose of action and horror goodness then Army of the Dead is a film you seriously need to check out….because this one is crazy!

Image: Netflix

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And the official trailer has now arrived. Check it out below:

Here’ the official synopsis:

Following the death of Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman and Wonder Woman recruit the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to form the Justice League and protect the world from Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons, who seek the three Mother Boxes.

This new trailer is nothing short of epic and presents a completely new vision on behalf of Snyder. Not only do we finally get to get Henry Cavill’s Superman in the Black Suit, but we also get to see a newly designed Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), alongside the appearance of Darkseid, and audiences also get their first look at a confrontation between Ben Affleck’s Batman and Jared Leto’s Joker in a hellish new landscape.

hile the basic framework of the story is the same, dozens of additional scenes, backstories, mythos, worldbuilding elements, new characters, and teases for upcoming films are present in Snyder’s version but not the theatrical release. This includes new scenes with characters including Iris West (Kiersey Clemons), the love interest to Barry Allen/The Flash, alongside Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello), who will be given new material to work with by Snyder.

This first glimpse of Zack Snyder’s Justice League is incredible to behold, and Snyder has also confirmed that the film will be presented as a one-shot event movie, instead of the four-part series that was initially rumoured.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League will arrive on HBO Max on March 18.

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Fearing the actions of a god-like superhero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day saviour, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.

5. Zack Snyder – A director’s passion

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice feels like Snyder’s masterpiece, and with every frame of this gorgeously shot film you can sense his true passion and love for the characters. Snyder stays true to the spirit of the original source material, crafting a daring film that fans deserve. His direction is inspiring, not to mention his decision to take risks in order to provide an original interpretation of the iconic characters.

4. Gal Gadot – Amazonian Princess

Fans have long desired to see Diana Princess of Themyscira on screen, and it’s a relief to say that she has been brought to life with passion, glamour and a warrior’s edge. Whether as Diana Prince or Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot makes for a commanding screen presence, capturing the spirit of Wonder Woman for a brand new cinema-going audience. With Gadot as the mighty hero, audiences will come to look up to this epic character and the grand position that she holds in the DC Universe.

3. A comic book come to life

With furious energy, masterful cinematography, and a dynamic and tight visual palette, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a literal comic book come to life. Fans of legendary comic artists such as Jim Lee, Frank Miller, George Perez, and Neal Adams will be stunned by the action on screen, and the way in which actors Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot have brought these iconic characters to life. Nothing is wasted in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and you see every dollar on screen, which makes for a visually arresting and immersive film experience that sucks audiences right into the heart of the action.

2. Jesse Eisnberg – boy genius

If there’s one character who single-handedly steals the film then it’s Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor — a thoroughly obsessive billionaire whose intensity is absolutely manic. Eisenberg is all over the show, and this helps to bolster Luthor’s eclectic, analytical mind which is working a mile a minute on his grand scheme to bring Metropolis’ greatest hero to his knees. With his very different interpretation of Luthor, and the lengths that he goes as the character, we can’t think of anyone better suited than Eisenberg.

1. The Dark Knight returns

When Ben Affleck was first announced to be playing Bruce Wayne/Batman, there were some who doubted he could ever pull off the role of the Dark Knight. Well not only does he pull it off, but Affleck has crafted the most definitive and dark Batman we’ve ever seen on screen. His channeling of the dual conflict and identity that lies at the heart of Bruce Wayne/Batman drives Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice forward. Brooding, calculating, obsessive and a physically imposing beast, Affleck’s Batman is an unstoppable force of nature who will destroy anyone that attempts to take the life or freedom of another, delivering his judgement with extreme prejudice. The night does indeed belong to the Bat, and Dawn of Justice succeeds on the complete commitment of its lead star.

Image: Roadshow Films 

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5. The origins of Lex Luthor

He’s the whizz kid of Metropolis, and this ultra billionaire has considerable hate for both the alien called Superman and his arch business rival Bruce Wayne. Jesse Eisenberg appears to be portraying Luthor as a two-faced individual who possesses both a pleasant and slightly chipper public face, while his private one is far more calculating, vindictive and extreme. We’d love to see how he got this way, and some sort of origin flashback that would provide insight into his obsession to dominate the business world, and the reasons why he wants Superman to kneel before him.

4. A death in the family

Since the second trailer we’ve known that Gotham has had a bad history with ‘freaks dressed like clowns’, and with a monument set up to honour Bruce Wayne’s slain companion, Jason Todd, in the Batcave also revealed in previous trailers, we’re hoping to see some kind of flashback to the day The Joker (Jared Leto), stole his life from Bruce.

3. Diana, Princess of Themyscira

While we know that Gal Gadot is stepping up and kicking ass as DC’s resident warrior princess Wonder Woman, we’re really keen to see she brings to Wonder Woman’s role as a Princess of Themyscira. In particular, we’re curious as to whether Themyscira is still a mystery to the world’s population, or whether this all-female island is in fact a global power nation.

2. The brawl of the century

The fight is on in the battle of century between DC’s titans, and we’re expecting an all-out war from this. Forget a rematch between McGregor and Aldo, this fight pits two superheroes with nothing left to lose in a battle of no-holds-barred, winner takes all stakes. Not only do we have Affleck’s Batman armed to the teeth in a high-tech exoskeleton, but it appears that he’s willing to do anything to put Superman down. Will we see a good helping of kryptonite? We will have to wait and see.

1. The coming of Darkseid

He’s the greatest and most powerful villain in the DC Universe, and arch-tyrant Darkseid has already been teased in images related to the nightmares suffered by Bruce Wayne. Not only have we witnessed the appearance of the Omega symbol, but we’ve also seen what appears to be a quick shot of  Darkseid’s minions, The Parademons. We would lose our minds if the Justice League came together in a final shot at the end of the film, with the presence of the great tyrant of Apokolips teased in the distance.

Image source: Roadshow Films

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This epic final trailer reveals some interesting moments that’ll excite and puzzle fans at the same time. While most have been predicting the upcoming battle to go Superman’s way given his unbeatable strength, the trailer does show a moment of vulnerability for the Man of Steel (Henry Cavill) at the hands of Batman (Ben Affleck). A flirtatious moment is also seen between Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), who reminds the mysterious billionaire that he’s never met a woman like her.

Director Zack Snyder has really set the world alight with anticipation for Batman v Superman, and has confirmed that its events will act as a prequel to 2017’s Justice League.

Prepare yourselves for 2016’s biggest movie event when Dawn of Justice is released in cinemas on March 24 in Australia and New Zealand and on March 25 in the US and UK.

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Fearing the actions of a god-like superhero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day saviour, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.

After winning over San Diego Comic Con 2015 with its awe-inspiring first trailer, this second trailer builds on the first, promising raw action, and intense characterisation in a showdown that will rock the DC Cinematic Universe to its core.

Prepare yourselves for an earth-shattering event when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is released next year on March 24, 2016 in Australia and New Zealand, and March 25, 2016 in the US and UK.

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5. ‘We know better know don’t we. Devils don’t come from hell beneath us. No, they come from the sky.’

This foreshadowing narration from Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor gave us an auditory glimpse into the soft spoken, eloquent, yet thoughtfully direct Luthor. While we’ve only seen an initial first image of Luthor, this statement, and Eisenberg’s menacing tone has us speculating on just how he’ll impact the Man of Steel.

4. False God 

Luthor’s statement, and the general tone of the trailer which plays on Superman’s messiah complex, and the idea of him as a savior, also forms the first part of the trailer. When the trailer focuses up on a statue of the Man Of Steel, with the words False God, scrawled in red spray paint over the symbol of the House of El (the symbol of hope on Krypton) we get this very real feeling that the citizens of Metropolis will turn on their hero in a rapid fury, most definitely incited by Metropolis’s favorite son Lex Luthor. Superman’s position as a savior/messiah is also cemented by a shot that show’s him being surrounded by a baying crowd, with a very distressed Henry Cavill looking perplexed at how he has to handle his god like celebrity, and drama definitely won’t let up here.

3. The Dark Knight Returns 

While the first part of the trailer focuses on Superman and his position as messiah and savior, the second part introduces the DC Cinematic Universe’s new look Batman, portrayed by Ben Affleck, and his character screams The Dark Knight Returns. Written and drawn by Frank Miller, with inks by Klaus Janson and colors by Lynn Varley, The Dark Knight Returns is the quintessential Batman graphic novel, which finds a long retired, and world weary Bruce Wayne, who dons the Batsuit one last time to save a futuristic Gotham gone to hell, resulting in a collision course with his former best friend Superman. From the new look batsuits, to the image of Batman standing on a tower with a sniper rifle in his hand, to both the return of a grittier Batmobile and Batwing, director Zack Snyder looks to be creating the most intimidating Batman ever, and is using DKR as his influence to build his Batman, and this new Gotham for the expanding DC Cinematic Universe.

2. ‘That’s how it starts. The fever, the rage….the feeling of powerlessness, that turns good men cruel.’

Spoken by Jeremy Irons unseen Alfred Pennyworth, these words frame our first look at Ben Affleck’s new look Bruce Wayne, mirroring his ice cold glare as he staunchly stares at his Batsuit; the instrument by which he will reign justice down on the streets of Gotham. With statements such as these Snyder appears to be setting up a Batman who potentially has done some unspeakable things in past in his quest for justice, and whose world view is entirely set in shades of grey. Could we see Batman going too far in Batman v Superman? We’ll have to wait and see.

1. ‘Tell Me, Do You Bleed? You Will.”

Holding our attention from its first frame, the new trailer for Batman v Superman places its audience on a knife edge until it lands at the penultimate showdown between an armored Batman, and an airborne Superman, with a promise from Batman that he will make the Superman bleed in their epic showdown. This clip, which carries an intimidation factor of 11, as well as revealing Batman’s mechanized voice, which is a nice touch, and long overdue, has us primed for March 25, 2016 when these two legends will finally go head to head in an all out battle!

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The brave 300 are dead, and the God King Xerxes marches on Greece, with a desire to put it to the sword. At the head of his army is Artemisia, a fiery, devilish witch who harbors a terrible vengeance against the Greeks, and wishes to see them burn. But one man, Themistocles, an Athenian general and politician, who believes in the new ideals of democracy readies to make his stand against the approaching horde. But this battle will not be fought on Greece’s shores, but instead on the monstrous swells of the open oceans, which will run red with blood.

300: Rise of An Empire is a stirring heroic story of absolutely epic proportions that is packed to the brim with violence, blood and larger than life heroics. Director Noam Murro has assembled an incredible cast to tell a film that in my opinion is the equal, if not better than the original ‘300’.

Sullivan Stapleton is Themistocles, a Athenian General and statesman. Just like Gerard Butler’s Leonidas he is possessed of a fiery willpower and rock hard abs, but the two characters couldn’t be more different. Leonidas was first and foremost a king, born to responsibility, and the glory inherited upon him as Sparta’s first son. Themistocles is a different man, he holds no wife or children, and has devoted his whole life to the betterment of Athens, serving as a soldier, and later a politician. Knowing that he has to inspire all of Greece to fight off the monster that is Xerxes army, Themistocles is a man possessed of voice as well as action, and Stapleton is brilliant in the role. He is both raw and passionate in his portrayal of Themistocles, and he carries concerns and troubles that Leonidas did not have to contend with, such as a city state who are more concerned with political idea’s, rather than with one’s of steel. He is also a master strategist, which adds a dimension of difference to Leonidas’s raw warrior strength. Stapleton is pretty adept with a sword, and his physical transformation is very impressive, which adds to his believability in the role. He’s a great heroic character, and it’s awesome to see him cut a path through his enemies on the big screen.

But where you have nobility and courage in Themistocles, none of this is found in his adversary, Artemisia, played with sadistic glee by Eva Green. Taken as a child, and subjected to unimaginable horrors, she was saved by a Persian emissary and trained to perfection as a master warrior. Irreversibly scarred by her ordeals, she craves nothing but the blood of all Greece. As an audience member you’ll come to learn just how twisted Artemisia is in her first five minutes on screen where she makes out with a decapitated head. This girl is twisted, calculating, but most importantly committed to the destruction of all Greece. Green is perfect in the role as she has the gravitas and the range to make a convincing bad girl, and she’s not shy when it comes to dispatching Greeks. Don’t tick this girl off, it could be the last thing you ever do.

Rodrigo Santoro is one of the significant returning actors as Xerxes, the Persian God King, and we get to see his transformation from man to god with the help of Artemisia. Although Xerxes presence is limited in the film you do feel Santoro’s depth of character when he is on screen. I would have preferred more screen time for the character since Santoro is a talented actor, but Xerxes does work as the higher power who is watching over the events of the film.

The supporting players are all good as well, with Hans Matheson providing a voice of reason and a conscious, along with a willing blade as Aeschylus, Themistocles right hand man. Callan Mulvey is fearless as the Greek general Scyllias, while Jack O’Connell is a young man with something to prove as his son Calisto. Finally Lena Headey returns as Queen Gorgo, acting as the film’s narrator, as well as getting to pick up a blade and dish up her own brand of vengeance for the loss of her husband.

Director Noam Murro throws you into the action, and with the advent of IMAX 3D you can literally taste the blood. Of all the battles I think my favorite was the opening Battle of Marathon, which reminded me of the intensity of the D-Day landings in ‘Saving Private Ryan’, only with swords instead of bullets, and a few more gallons of blood. The cinematography in this battle is excellent, and is paired well with the brutal rain and swells of the open sea in successive battles. For those wanting a good fix of adrenaline, you won’t be disappointed.

300: Rise of An Empire is also impressive as the filmmakers have framed the story from both the Persian’s perspective, which presents another side to the war, as it’s battles take place at the same time as the Battle of Thermopylae, where the Spartans perished. It’s a companion movie, which I think is more interesting to the story than just your typical action sequel. It’s also a darker movie, and has an atmosphere that is reminiscent of film noir.

300: Rise of An Empire is a worthy follow up to ‘300’, and takes the action to a whole new level. If you want an adrenaline rush, then this is the movie for you.

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