Ninjas vs. Zombies
Encyclopedia
Ninjas vs. Zombies is a 2008
independent film
parodying the science fiction
, horror, zombie
and Ninja
genres. The rough cut of the film coined the 'bootleg' premiere, was screened on October 31, 2008, and November 1, 2008 in Leesburg, VA at the historic Tally Ho Theatre. The film was written and directed by Justin Timpane.
", "Scream
", "Harry Potter
", "Dawn of the Dead", and "Serenity
". Timpane reportedly shot an early version of the film in his basement before shooting the feature version in 2008. The film was shot in old movie houses, comic book stores, and coffee shops in Northern Virginia and metropolitan Washington, D.C., and was completed on a budget said to be only $10,000.
The script is filled with references to other genre favorites, including but not limited to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Lost", "Jurassic Park", "Angel", "Ghostbusters", "Chasing Amy", "Batman Returns", "The Incredibles", "Return of the Jedi", "Star Trek First Contact", "Army Of Darkness", "Dawn of the Dead", "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", "Pulp Fiction", "Dirty Harry", and more.
The closing credits thank "Joss Whedon
(Who Doesn't Know We Exist)".
2008 in film
This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
parodying the science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, horror, zombie
Zombie
Zombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
and Ninja
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
genres. The rough cut of the film coined the 'bootleg' premiere, was screened on October 31, 2008, and November 1, 2008 in Leesburg, VA at the historic Tally Ho Theatre. The film was written and directed by Justin Timpane.
Production
Ninjas vs. Zombies is the work of writer-director Justin Timpane, who said he took inspiration for the film from a surprisingly diverse group of motion pictures, including "Chasing AmyChasing Amy
Chasing Amy is a 1997 romantic comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. The central tension revolves around sexuality, sexual history, and evolving friendships. It is the third film in Smith's View Askewniverse series....
", "Scream
Scream (film)
Scream is a 1996 American slasher film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven. The film stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Drew Barrymore, and David Arquette...
", "Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
", "Dawn of the Dead", and "Serenity
Serenity (film)
Serenity is a 2005 space western film written and directed by Joss Whedon. It is a continuation of the short-lived 2002 Fox science fiction television series Firefly, taking place after the events of the final episode. Set in 2518, Serenity is the story of the captain and crew of a cargo ship...
". Timpane reportedly shot an early version of the film in his basement before shooting the feature version in 2008. The film was shot in old movie houses, comic book stores, and coffee shops in Northern Virginia and metropolitan Washington, D.C., and was completed on a budget said to be only $10,000.
Story
The film revolves around seven friends, 3 of which are magically granted the use of ninja powers to fight back against hordes of zombies, and their evil leader Eric. The press kit for the film describes the premise as follows:"Seven friends, struggling with late 20s, early 30s life, find themselves in terrifying danger when a long dead loved one is magically resurrected and starts devouring souls. To make matters worse, three of them have been granted the power of the ninja, and now must lead the fight against a power they cannot hope to vanquish. If they fail, the undead will overrun their little town, and maybe the world."
The script is filled with references to other genre favorites, including but not limited to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Lost", "Jurassic Park", "Angel", "Ghostbusters", "Chasing Amy", "Batman Returns", "The Incredibles", "Return of the Jedi", "Star Trek First Contact", "Army Of Darkness", "Dawn of the Dead", "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", "Pulp Fiction", "Dirty Harry", and more.
The closing credits thank "Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
(Who Doesn't Know We Exist)".
Cast
- PJ Megaw as Eric, a super zombie, the chief antagonistAntagonistAn antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
of the film - Dan Guy as Randall, Eric's brother and powerful magician
- Cory Eskridge Okouchi as Cole, an out of work graphics artist who discovers that he is a ninja
- Daniel RossDaniel Ross (American actor)Daniel Ross is an American actor, voice actor, and producer. Ross is most notably known for voicing the character Starscream in the Transformers: The Movie video games. as well as for his stand-out comedic performances in , and . Ross has played roles in such independent films as, Pessimistic...
as Kyle, an out of work actor now pizza delivery guy who discovers that he is a ninja - Daniel Mascarello as Fitz a stay at home struggling musician who discovers that he is a ninja
- Carla Okouchi as Lily, Eric's former girlfriend and Cole's romantic interest
- Melissa McConnell as Ann, Fitz's wife, a powerful business woman and the breadwinner of her relationship
- Tara Moore as Kara, theater operator, Lily's co-worker, and best friend
- Will Stendeback as Herman, Dungeons and Dragons expert, former friend of Eric, and owner of the podcast known as the "Suckcast"
Soundtrack
The film features an eponymous theme song written and performed by Nick Bognar and Michael Roth. The song is also included on Bognar's 2009 album Our Mouths Are Open.Critical reception
- The production has been widely anticipated within the horror film community, due in part to its combination of two popular genres—zombies and ninjas. In a comment typifying the appeal of the hybrid, BD Horror News noted, "There are ninjas, and there are zombies, what more do you need?"
- In February 2009, the film garnered an "Award of Merit: Feature Film" at "The Indie Fest".
- Another horror genre publication, "Fatally Yours," urged its readers to see the film, asking: "What? Do we need to send the zombie army to drag you there?" The same publication described the film as "a homegrown indy filmed right here in Northern VA. Part Evil Dead, part Clerks, part Buffy, part Bourne Identity, with some Harry Potter, a twist of vermouth and a lime chaser - uh, wait… Funny, Violent, a Rollercoaster; with GOBS of local talent - and international appeal."
- On the other hand, the film has been criticized for its thematic similarity to earlier works. One critic, for example, joked that it should not be confused with 1987's singular Ninja vs. Zombie, 1997's Zombie Ninja Gangbangers, or 2004's Vampires vs. ZombiesVampires Vs. ZombiesVampires vs. Zombies is an indie horror movie, loosely based upon J. Sheridan Le Fanu's classic 1872 novel Carmilla. Unlike Le Fanu's story, however, most of the action in the film takes place inside a car....
, noting, "This is, er, zombieS versus ninjaS. You know, plural?"
- Before its release, the film's third trailer received the following comments from movie reviewer Chris Beaumont. "Seriously, how can you go wrong? It has zombies and ninjas, not to mention magic and blood. This super low-budget outing looks terrible. Terribly good that is. No, the production values are not good and the acting looks even worse, but what they lack in quality and polish, they more than appear to make up for with energy and love for the genre. Looking forward to this!"
Sequel
Due to overwhelming demand of the first feature, there is currently a sequel in development titled "Ninjas vs Vampires". The majority of the cast has been reunited for this next film, and the filmmakers are looking towards a Halloween 2010 premier.External links
- Ninjas vs. Zombies Official Site
- Theatrical trailer
- Ninjas vs. Zombies on MySpace
- Ninjas vs. Zombies on Facebook
- Ninjas vs. Zombies on YouTube
- Ninjas vs. Zombies on Break.com
- Ninjas vs Vampires Official Site