The Dead One (2007) Reviews

• It's Bland But Not Altogether Bad

  gavin69422007-11-19

  People have been trashing this film, so instead of doing a standard review I'm just going to write a brief defense of this film. Was it incredibly awesome? No. I mean, it didn't have a lot of action or gore or beautiful women or anything that would normally make a horror film decent, but I don't think this was intended as a horror film. Wilmer Valderrama ("That 70s Show") leads this film and does a fine job. I was never excited with him from TV, playing the part of either a naive foreigner or a trash-talking hoodlum. But here, he plays it pretty straight, just being one of the guys who happens to have a very bad thing happen to him (at least, I consider it bad if some Aztec god wants you to kill your girlfriend). There's a little bit of Mexican stereotype in here, but nothing blatantly racist. The opening credits had scenes from what I assume is the comic book, or a close approximation. I have never read it, sadly (and in fact never even heard of it until now). Sometimes animation works, sometimes it doesn't ("Hood of Horror"). I liked it here, it seemed very natural -- even better than "Creepshow" in this regard. I think the biggest problem people have with this film is the focus on a story rather than action and the overtly Mexican tones to the story, which few can identify with. I didn't really have an issue with it. With such notable guest stars as Billy Drago, it was easy to be entertained by this film. Oh well, you can't please everybody. Now, I'm not suggesting you run out and rent this one right away. It's still not an exciting film. It's bland and little happens. So it doesn't deserve a high rating. But it does deserve better than what some people have been giving it, simply because I can point you to many, many worse films than this if you really want to know what awful is. "The Dead One" is a forgettable film, forgettable because it's neither too good or too bad to be noteworthy. It's the Goldilocks of Mexican super hero films.

• An entertaining & interesting str8 to DVD movie

  reeves20022007-10-03

  I am not familiar with the comic book this movie was based on but it seemed like a decent adaptation.I just stumbled across it at the DVD rental store and knew nothing about it.It has an interesting mythology and the actors all performed well and were convincing.I especially loved Zac's reaction when Diego came back from the dead and how no one believed him or took him seriously. I loved the outfit (or costume) Wilmer Valderrama (Diego) wore in the movie. It's dark & stylish and good for any occasion.I would love to wear something like that. The movie didn't really seem to end so i'm not sure whether sequels are planned,or if it is a pilot for a new series. Either way I liked it and the effects were good.The cinematography was nice and I liked how it was effective without gore and bad CGI effects. I look forward to seeing more movies about these character's if any more are planned and would like to read the comic now also.

• FEZ is a ZOMBIE! El Muerto: George Romero meets Robert Rodriguez

  thescreamingmimi2006-11-04

  There have been zombie films, superhero flicks, Latino features and teen romance movies, but this is the first Latino zombie superhero teen romance! And this isn't your uncle's zombie film as El Muerto, unlike other members of the walking dead, can run around during the day, feel love, fight evil and he doesn't have a taste for human flesh. The motion picture is based on the El Muerto comic by Javier Hernandez, published by Los Comex. It is one of the most faithful transfers of a comic book to the screen as adapted by director Brian Cox. The film's title sequence pays reverence to its origins, featuring art by Hernandez that evokes the opening of many Sergio Leone films (Coincidently the film is produced by unrelated Leones). Contrary to many comic book films that take forever setting up the origin of the character, El Muerto swiftly unfolds his beginnings and gets to the action, establishing his motivation, his powers and the conflict of being a teen zombie. Young Diego (Wilmer Valderrama, yes Fez from That 70s Show) crosses Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec God of Death and has his still-beating heart (if not his soul) plucked from him. His love for his girlfriend Maria (the beautiful Angie Cepeda) helps brings him back from the Land of Death, much to the surprise of his friend Zak (Joel David Moore of Art School Confidential) and others. A series of gruesome deaths and some omens lead them to believe the God of Death is up to no good and only Diego as El Muerto can stop him! El Muerto has something for everyone and will even appeal to people who wouldn't be caught dead watching a zombie movie. This is a zombie film for the entire family! It has an engaging action and a romantic theme, believable special effects, great music and sound design. It boasts many incredible actors like Michael Parks (Kill Bill), Tony Plana (now in "Ugly Betty"), Maria Conchita Alonso and Tony Amendola. The underused and underrated Billy Drago (The Untouchables) makes an impression in a stunning performance. Some cite the character's similarity to the Crow, but they are night and day. They're both black-clad reanimated corpses with make-up on, but that's where it ends. Whereas the Crow is dark and cynical, El Muerto is light and positive. Though hearts get ripped out and there's other gore, it's tastefully done, usually off screen though still with impact. With Wilmer Valderrama in the lead, it should attract a wide female and teen audience. One gets the feeling that this film will ultimately have long legs on video and become a cult/mainstream favorite as the years pass. It's a great character and should inspire many fun sequels and spin-offs.

• Wait a minute!!

  aarond132007-05-19

  First off this film has yet to be seen in any theater because the Los Angeles VIP premier was but a few days ago. This movie(YES I actually did see this) was utterly excellent because it was a thriller and a comic crossover. This was such a refreshing movie because every "Scary" scene was not gore and random CGI filling the screen until your absolutely disgusted. No, this retraced the steps of all great horror scenes: the music, the absence of gore that makes your own imagination so much more terrifying and vivid than anything that could be portrayed visually, and having an all star cast like: Tony Plana and Billy Drago! Though this film is a comic-to-movie film, it lacked the major budget that most of these types of films have. This movie does pace slow but it is visually stunning... that is not filled with random flying body parts, but with actual plot and suspense. Even without this movie being filled with blood, gore, and CGI it still made half of the audience jump at the premier!!!

• Great Comic to Movie story and characters!

  kuzeh22007-09-19

  What do Dia de Muertos, Mictlantecuhtli, and Wilmer Valderrama have in common? You have to watch this movie to find out, but let me tell you, even though the movie is for all audiences, you will enjoy the whole experience better if you read the comic book that inspired this too. Honestly I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, knowing before hand that it's an indie film helps understand where this comes from, and how it turns to be a great character driven story about love, destiny and friendship. Warning!!! Some spoilers ahead!! Wilmer Valderrama portrays Diego de la Muerte, the ill fated El Muerto, who finds out his destiny is being handled by non other than the Lord of Death Mictlantecuhtli, and Tezcatlipoca, The smoking mirror. Not only that but Diego is sacrificed, and sent back to earth with an unknown destiny while he's trying to get help from his friend Zaak and also to save his beloved Maria from a gruesome fate! With great photography, awesome costume design, good special effects, a unique soundtrack and great performances, El Muerto ( The Dead One) will easily become an instant cult classic!