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Juan of the DeadJuan de los Muertos 2011 | 92 min | Not rated | 1.85:1
George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” and “Dawn of the Dead” have spawned countless imitations and tributes, yet none has matched the endearment and cinematic invention of Edgar Wright’s 2004 comedy, “Shaun of the Dead.” Pilfering the playful title for another round of zombie slaughter, “Juan of the Dead” is full-blooded Cuban take on the war against the undead. Benefiting from a pronounced sense of mischief and a charming feel for horror violence, the film is perhaps on a little too slight to fill out a feature-length run time, yet it’s spunky enough to entertain and occasionally horrify, though it’s not always the zombies that induce the most revulsion. 
Attempting to make a living in Havana despite a less than savory reputation, Juan (Alexis Diaz de Villega in a terrific performance) is working to better his life, with slob friend Lazaro (Jorge Molina) tagging along for company. Stumbling upon a zombie outbreak while out at sea, the pair return to the city, only to find the undead gradually chomping their way through the populace, confusing locals who’ve been informed the monsters are “dissidents” trying to splinter the country. Realizing the monetary potential of the apocalypse, Juan establishes a zombie killing service, charging locals a fee for his unique methods of disposal. Joined by Lazaro, a few friendly faces, and his estranged daughter Camila (Andrea Duro), Juan sets out to rid Havana of the shuffling menace, only to realize that the job is considerably larger than he imagined, with the gang on an endless hunt around the island, greeting all types of frightened locals and tourists. Written and directed by Alejandro Brugues, “Juan of the Dead” is romp on a limited budget, attempting a semi-epic comic book scale to service the needs of the genre. It’s not a parody of “Dawn of the Dead,” but more of a silly spin-off, leading with a distinct cultural perspective to freshen the premise and toy with local political and social entanglements. In fact, the script has terrific fun with Cuba’s air of democratic paranoia, with government television broadcasts confusing the plague of the undead for U.S. interests in the land, keeping national pride alive despite a league of brain-munching ghouls roaming the streets on the hunt for lunch. 
The political touches are mild but effective in opening up the scope of “Juan of the Dead,” which seems most comfortable with bawdy humor. The character of Lazaro is employed repeatedly as a sight gag, observing the creep publicly masturbate while peeping in open windows, deal carefully with topless victims, and wear short shorts without the protection of underwear. He’s a prankster, yet utterly devoted to Juan, creating a jolly pair of zombie hunters, a profession that ultimately welcomes a weightlifter who faints at the sight of blood, a transvestite with amazing slingshot abilities, and Lazaro’s son, whose advances toward Camila are stymied by Juan, starting a rumor of herpes to keep the boy at arm’s length. Brugues excels at creating a team dynamic for the story, with a light tone and Sabado Gigante-style performances easing the transitions between slapstick and gore zone visits. The macabre touches are goosed by iffy CGI, but creatively arranged by the production, injecting a sense of surprise into the violence that helps to prolong the adventure. 
“Juan of the Dead” features a ridiculous story, taking some effort by Brugues to sustain a rhythm that carries to a satisfactory climax. The film has a few dips in pace, notably a midsection encounter with an English-speaking outsider, yet the majority of the picture is surprisingly breezy, collecting a few sizable laughs along the way. “Juan of the Dead” undertakes a familiar farcical approach, yet manages to brand a sense of humor and style, avoiding low-budget pitfalls to develop a personality and stance of zombie repulsion that’s completely its own. Starring: Alexis Díaz de Villegas, Jorge Molina, Andrea Duro Director: Alejandro Brugués » See full cast & crew |
 
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