Intended as a cash-in, Zombie Flesh Eaters 2 went off the rails when credited director Lucio Fulci parted ways with the producers, who subsequently handed the reins to the dire-namic duo of Claudio Fragasso (Troll 2) and Bruno Mattei (Strike Commando), resulting in one of the funniest zombie movies ever to reach the screen. When a biological weapon (codenamed Death One, obviously) is stolen in broad daylight by a thief without a getaway vehicle, it contaminates everyone who comes into contact with it, turning them into bug-eyed bad actors who lumber around in green goo make-up. Moments later, zombies are everywhere, blocking bridges, hiding in abandoned hotels and even lurking in swimming pools (theres also a flying disembodied head, a zombie DJ and a mutant baby, but enough already). When shown in long shot, the undead are the standard shuffling horde, but whenever they come within ten feet of their intended victim, they transform into kung-fu fighting, machete wielding ninjas capable of running, leaping and swimming after their prey. Eat your heart out, Resident Evil.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
