Anna And The Apocalypse (2017) Double Disc Blu-Ray Edition Review
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017) Double Disc Blu-Ray Edition Review
It’s Christmas time and the sleepy Scottish town of Little Haven is under threat from a zombie apocalypse, forcing Anna (Ella Hunt – Cold Feet) and her friends to fight, slash and sing their way to survival, facing the undead in a desperate race to reach their loved ones. But even zombies can’t stop the teen drama: will Anna’s best friend John (Malcolm Cumming – Long Lost) reveal his true feelings for her, or will her smug ex Nick (Ben Wiggins – Mary Queen of Scots) win back her affections? And will she be able to repair her rocky relationship with dad Tony (Mark Benton – The Second Coming) before it’s too late?
Along with exchange student Steph (Sarah Swire – God Help the Girl), star singer Lisa (Marli Siu – Grantchester) and her crush Chris (Christopher Leveaux – Forgotten Man), Anna soon discovers that no one is safe in this new world, and with civilisation falling apart around them, the only people they can truly rely on are each other.
ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE was originally released in the UK last November when I recall it being a keenly anticipated genre release. Upon viewing the film back then, in its original cut, I was left with a mixture of feelings. I hadn’t warmed to it. Perhaps it how I was placed in my personal circumstances at the time or it just wasn’t how I anticipated a Xmas-themed zombie musical to be. Second time around, and upon watching the extended version on the second disc, I found myself appreciating it for what it is rather than what I had expected it to be. I found myself more of a fan. In fact I loved it.
Director John McPhail’s movie is colourful, vibrant, emotional and packed with songs that you will be humming long after viewing, especially Hollywood Ending. It also offers a fresh take on the staid – and more formulaic – zombie apocalypse fare, and if it isn’t already, then it’s certainly destined to become a cult classic and perhaps a stage musical at some point in the future too. The ample number of songs never sits at odds with the flick’s gorier moments and, like all good musicals, it even manages to an emotional response from the viewer too.
ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE is dedicated to Ryan McHenry who tragically passed away aged just 27 from cancer in 2015. McHenry was responding for writing and directing the BAFTA-nominated short film ZOMBIE MUSICAL (2011) upon which this feature film was based/adapted from. In expanding upon the sixteen-minute short (included as an extra in this two-disc set) the film’s director was inspired by the likes of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) and THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985) whilst including nods to zombie classics – NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) and THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS (2001), amongst others to ensure that the horror-fans had something to get their teeth into too.
Poster quotes describe ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE as a mix of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and LA LA LAND however I think website Nerdly nailed it when they described it as ‘SHAUN OF THE DEAD meets HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL’. Unlike with the more standard zombie fare here you actually route for the characters and that’s because the writing and characterisation is so much better. ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE is a hugely confident production, impeccably filmed and edited, and do stay with it because, as I found upon a second viewing, this is definitely a grower.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Theatrical and extended cuts
- Original short film ‘Zombie Musical’ written and directed by Ryan McHenry
- Audio Commentary with director John McPhail, writer Alan McDonald, composers Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly
- Brand new documentary featuring interviews with actors Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Ben Wiggins, Marli Siu, director John McPhail, writer Alan McDonald, composers Roddy Hart & Tommy Reilly and producer Naysun Alae-Carew
- Behind-the-scenes featurette
- Alternative opening scene
- Hollywood Ending with cast and crew
- Deleted scenes
- Edinburgh Film Festival footage
- Gag reel, Outtakes
- Limited o-ring slipcover and lyrics booklet on initial pressing only
