What does everybody want? What does everybody need? What does everybody love? Why, a return of Direct to DVD Dissection to the FAN, of course! After a long and tough hiatus, DTDD returns to look at a movie that features hitmen battling zombies and aliens, and also birthday cake.
The Story
Raph is a hitman who has trouble balancing the responsibilities of work and home…especially when his boss calls him in to work on a Saturday. But when Ralph finds himself locked in an alien infested lab with his partner Max, he must find a way to save a small group of survivors, keep himself safe from a hoard of zombie aliens and get to his son s birthday party on time.
The Cast
Al Snow as Raphael. Recently branched out to films but best known as a pro wrestler who has had a long and storied career and has stepped in the ring with many legends and icons. And Mick Foley.
John Wells as Max. Besides this, has also worked on the Christian Slater film HATFIELDS & MCCOYS: BAD BLOOD.
Cristina Mullins as Tammy. Worked on REALITY and THE LYNNEVILLE INCIDENT.
Sebrina Siegal as Stephanie. Before this, worked on films like HALLOWEEN HOMECOMING and SANTA CLAUSE VERSUS THE ZOMBIES. No word if Martians were involved in that last one.
The Dissection
I will say, for all the zombie movies out there that borrow from the usual sources like George Romero’s movie library or 28 DAYS LATER, it’s strange to see one that borrows from Ed Wood’s magnum opus, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE. Getting aliens in the mix as the cause was the Plan 9 in that movie, and it’s the cause of Max and Raphael’s bad day. Whether unintentional or not, it’s a sign that it’s not a movie to be taken seriously. The other sign is everything else in this film.
The Hitmen, Raph (Al Snow) and Max (John Wells)
Unlike many other films in the genre, this film isn’t trying to be shlock. It does try to tell its story straight and is not relying on the wink and nudge to the audience for it’s comedy. Most of the time, this works, while not in others, but it’s a nice change of pace in the genre.
On the acting side, the real powerhouse of the film are Snow and Wells as the hitmen. They have some great chemistry together and very likeable in spite of what their profession is, something that is good when the movie is asking you to root for them. Wells especially is having a blast in the role, playing the role of the wise cracking guy with the gun with some pleasure. Also, Wells’ slight resemblance to wrestler Drew McIntyre and his goal of arriving to a party could be a joke that only wrestling fans would get. The rest of the cast round out well overall, but there is a reason Snow and Wells are the people who’s names are on the box.
He's imagining it's Joey Ryan.
The effects for the movie are on the low budget side. The film has the digital look with digital effects added in later. The visuals for the monsters aren’t bad, though, and the sci fi style additions to the monsters help to differentiate it from the various other interpretations.
Apart from the movie, the disc comes with a few extras. It has some commentary featuring both the directors,Brian Cunningham and Matt Niehoff as well as Snow and Wells. It also touts some featruette and the trailer to round it out
In the January lull, most studios are too busy planning for award season while audience are left hanging until it finishes. OVERTIME is a good movie to waste some time on, and it’s fun to watch overall.
The Verdict
The movie has gotten some good buzz, expanded from a good tour on the film circuit and some awards at the Louisville Fright Night Film Fest. Overall, it’s worth the hype. It’s a bit hampered by the fact it still is a low budget movie, but it’s able to deliver a great film regardless. Also, as the movie can be found pretty cheap, 9.99 in Wal Mart and other stores, it’s not something that needs to wait for a price drop. It’s highly recommended.
Find OVERTIME at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009Q6C7V4/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009Q6C7V4&linkCode=as2&tag=ovethemov-20
Find OVERTIME at Blockbuster
http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/573442