Fido
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Ah, the fifties; hanging out with friends at the soda shop, holding hands with Peggy Sue, dancing at the school’s Sock Hop…oh, and tying up your zombie in the backyard at nights. What? You don’t remember doing that back in the day? Obviously you didn’t grow up in the alternate reality that is Fido.

After a space cloud sprinkles its dust all over the planet, the dead become zombies and rise. Thanks to the Zombco Corporation, after the great zombie war, zombies are attached with special collars that domesticate them and turn them into working members of society. Well, not really “members” of society, but at least worker monkeys. See, it’s the bees knees to have a zombie servant. Wanna keep up with the Jones’? Go get two zombies over their one.

One family does actually pick up a zombie for this reason. After the new head of security at Zombco moves into the Johnson’s old house across the street Helen Robinson (a wonderful Carrie-Ann Moss) purchases a zombie, much to the chagrin of her husband (the always strong Dylan Baker). Mr. Robinson has never liked zombies. Every since he had to kill his father after the space dust incident he has had issues with these walking undead. Little Timmy Robinson however grows attached to the new zombie after he helps him out with some bullies. With that, Timmy names his family zombie Fido. Everything is perfect, until a short in the zombie collar causes Fido to kill the Robinson’s old crotchety neighbor. Even though Timmy hides the body, things get a little out of hand.

I don’t want to go further into the plot. This is a movie that you just have to watch. Simply put, this is one of the best movies that I have seen in some time and hands down the best that I have seen all year. With it’s twist in the family fabric of the 50s, the movie oozed charm. Think of the first time watching Edward Scissorhands. This had a dream like charm just like the first time I watched that movie.

The movie should work for all kinds of people. It is a sly, smartly written comedy but also has the obvious horror elements. The whole look and feel of this movie just worked. One thing that drives me crazy is that this movie never made it to mainstream theatres. Hell, look at the actors that are showcased in the film? At least bring this movie to me in a local art house theater. Instead our theaters are overrun with cookie cutter horror sheit that flies out into the DVD shelves only weeks on the screen. I'll save that nugget O' rant for a later time though.

Fido is smartly written, wonderfully filmed superbly acted. It is a love story, horror movie, comedy and an overall smashing good time to watch. Sit down with your wife or girlfriend (honestly, even without being a horror fan I think they would find this movie great) and cuddle together enjoying the twisted world of Fido. An easy 4 ½ canner and, while it’s still early, a contender for Pick O’ The Year.

Added:  Monday, September 17, 2007
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