I
enjoyed Ted V. Mikels’ third Astro-Zombies opus, M3: Cloned for the most part. Because of that, I figured I’d close out the
series with this final installment in the franchise. This time, the Astro-Zombies pop out of
laptops across the globe and wreak havoc on unsuspecting citizens around the
world… and… well… that’s about it as far as the “plot” goes.
The
cut-rate CGI effects include disintegrations, shotgun blasts, and exploding
bodies. The greenscreen effects may be a
tad chintzy, but Mikels, unlike most of today’s shot-on-video directors, imbues
his films with an endearing charm. To
his credit, Mikels is able to make a no-budget movie with crazy globe-hopping
action set pieces. The Astro-Zombies lay
waste to Berlin, Sydney, Tokyo and countless other international cities with
their deadly eyeball laser blasts. You
won’t see this kind of carnage in your typical Troma flick, that’s for sure.
M4: Invaders from Cyberspace lacks the kitchen
sink approach of Part 3. I also missed
the little callbacks to Mikels’ previous films.
On the other hand, Invaders from Cyberspace is shorter and faster paced,
which is much appreciated. I will say
that some of the attack sequences get repetitive, but there are enough cool
moments here for me to give it a halfhearted recommendation. (The amusement park massacre is particularly
well done.)
In
the end, humans learn mirrors are the only thing that can deflect the laser eye
beams and kill the Astro-Zombies. Which
begs the question: Why couldn’t the
Astro-Zombies just grab machetes and kill people like they did in the last
movie once they realize their eye beams are useless? One thing I have learned in all my years
watching Ted V. Mikels movies is that you can’t ask questions during Ted V.
Mikels movies.
One
thing you can expect in a Ted V. Mikels movie is lots of padding and a shit ton
of useless supporting characters.
Seriously, did we really need to see the old guy put on his scuba gear
in real time? Oops. There I go asking questions again.
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