Last of the Living

Last of the Living is a 2009 New Zealand made horror-comedy film packed with thrills, goofiness, and loads of zombie fun. Directed by Logan McMillan, and featuring Morgan Williams, Robert Faith, and Ashleigh Southam, the film offers a unique blend of humour and horror that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat while holding its own through the roller-coaster ride of the movie.

The narrative pivots around three hapless and carefree friends, Morgan (Morgan Williams), Ash (Ashleigh Southam), and Johnny (Robert Faith). They are pleasure-seeking layabouts who find themselves emergent heroes in a world suddenly overrun by zombies. While most films in the genre centre on the struggle for survival amid the zombie infestation, Last of the Living uses that grim setting as a backdrop for the antics of our trio, who treat the end of the world as an extended boys' adventure.

Last of the Living kicks off with the onset of a mysterious virus that rapidly spirals out of control, turning the vast majority of the population into blood-thirsty, flesh-eating zombies. This catastrophic event leaves the three slackers isolated but not particularly perturbed. In fact, they see the apocalyptic demise of humanity as an opportunity for unlimited fun without any of the stakes, restrictions, and responsibilities associated with normal life. They take advantage of their freedom, breaking into vacant homes, playing video games, consuming gratuitous amounts of fast food, and of course, slaying zombies galore.

But the film isn't simply about endless zombie whacking and toilet humour. Over time, the friends realise the gravity of their predicament. They do have a chance to be the protagonists of their own story when they encounter a brilliant scientist, played by Mark Hadlow, who might hold the key to discovering a cure for the zombie plague. She unfortunately has been bitten and thus, the clock is ticking for them to ferry her to her lab so she can fashion the antidote before she turns. Not only must they protect her from the roving zombies, but they also have to confront their own attitudes, fears, and friendships on the perilous journey to becoming unexpected heroes.

The charms of Last of the Living are found in its cast's chemistry, clever writing, and impressively executed practical effects. The banter between Morgan Williams, Robert Faith, and Ashleigh Southam in their performances as the ‘odd trio’ is infectious. Given those performances, it's clear the cast was having a blast during the production. Despite their characters' immaturity and often obnoxious behaviour, they manage to make viewers care about them, which is a testament to the writing as well as the cast's skill.

Furthermore, the zombie effects are impressive for a low-budget film, and the numerous chase and fight scenes are choreographed and shot with a surprising level of skill. Even on a budget, the film avoids the trap of cheesiness that often curses low-budget horror movies.

Balancing humour and gore is always tricky in a horror-comedy, and Last of the Living does it well. It offers plenty of laughs, courtesy of the characters' unique ways of dealing with the zombie apocalypse. This includes a hilarious scene with Ash, who fearlessly uses his cricket bat to protect the group against the undead. But for those who enjoy their share of gore in zombie flicks, the film doesn't disappoint there either.

In conclusion, Last of the Living is a fresh take on the zombie genre. It will effectively appeal to fans looking for the usual bloody pandemonium of zombie films, as well as those in search of some tongue-in-cheek humour. There are meaningful undertones to the film that make it more than just another zombie movie. The film's exploration of friendship, responsibility, and the human instinct for survival brings a human element to lighten the apocalyptic ambience. One can't help but wonder how they would react in this trio's situation, punctuating this outlandish tale with a sense of relatability. This is a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, delivering laughs and frights in equal measure, and ultimately, makes for an enjoyable viewing experience.