Man's Best Friend

I believe I mentioned Fido when I did my entry on zombie films. I was watching it again today with friends who hadn't seen it. (And aren't as big zombie nerds as I am.) So I go off on my own little rant about how alot of the early zombie movies are all the same (not that I don't like them) and then in the late 80's, people began to get some unique ideas. Plus they added a dash of humour.

Thus the genre of the zombedy was born. Since this revamp of the zombie movie, there are so many awesome different takes on the zombie. Fido is definitely one of my favourites. [SPOILERS AHEAD] The movie is set in an alternative universe when the zombie apocalypse takes place around the 1930's. Fast forward to the 50's, and we're living in a world were Zomcom's zombie collars control zombies to not eat humans. In fact, they're able to do menial jobs like deliver the paper. Oh, and they even work great as servants.


(picture copyright Lions Gate Films)

Yes, the movie is obviously a bit of a satire. This theme of zombies coming into a world where they are looked down upon as less than human has been in quite a few films recently. I think that Fido handles it perfectly, and the time period definitely helps. It's right before (in our actual universe) the civil movement. Maybe in ten years times, zombies will rise up and not take this any more.

You can speculate on that, but the entire movie isn't taken over with deep messages about how we are mean to our fellow man. (Whether he be alive, dead or undead, for that matter.) It still is quite humourous. [SPOILERS AHEAD] When Helen (Carrie-Ann Moss) goes to kill Roy (Aaron Brown) she is using the revolver that was concealed in her handbag. However, she ends up shooting nine rounds into him. (Obvious overkill since a handgun can only hold six rounds.)

The movie is also wonderfully heartwarming. Timmy (Kesun Loder) forms a bond with his zombie, whom he loving names Fido. (Billy Connelly) [SPOILERS AHEAD] After the Zombie Wars, many people refused to let emotions get in the way because when it came time to pull the trigger, it would be too difficult. Timmy proved, though, that expressing friendship could civilize the zombies, and be much more helpful against a horde of zombies in the end than a gun.

It is kind of odd to call a zombie movie heartwarming. We're just getting used to calling them funny. (And we mean intentionally funny, not "so bad I laughed" funny.) It is true, though. Fido just makes you feel all fuzzy inside by the end. If you do not have a smile on your face, then I'd say you're not human. Not a zombie either.