A Universal Picture, Written and Directed by Jim Jarmusch.
Jim Jarmusch is quite rightly regarded by many lovers of film, specifically independent cinema, as one of finest writer/directors of his generation. His low-key style and ability to get strong performances from his actors is admirable, and when I heard he was making this film I was thrilled.
However, I was quickly disappointed and still remain unsure exactly what he was trying to do. The ending points towards Jarmusch trying to make a strong and very on the nose political statement that was very poorly delivered, especially for someone like him.
The plot is so slow and meandering that it is tough to watch at times, and it isn’t funny enough to be a comedy, scary enough to be a horror, dramatic enough to be a drama, or even smart enough to be a satire.
The only saving grace is the incredible cast (although most of them have essentially nothing to do which is a waste of their talents). Bill Murray and Adam Driver, while obviously both have been a lot better, deliver amusingly deadpan lead performances that suit the tone of the film. Chloe Sevigny and a totally bonkers Tilda Swinton also make impressions. So does Selena Gomez, who is mostly used as eye candy here, but proves yet again that she deserves more frequent and higher quality acting work as she is very talented.
This had all the makings of a film that could stand alongside the likes of Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland as entertaining modern zombie comedies, but it fell sadly very short.
Rating = 2.5/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 