The Quick and the Undead is a low budget film about a viral outbreak that transforms the majority of the world’s population into zombies. To combat these creatures, the government offers a cash reward to anyone who kills a zombie, and returns an appendage as evidence.
A lone bounty hunter named Ryn Baskin (Clint Glenn) is betrayed by his contact and is ambushed by a group a rival bounty hunters. The leader of the gang shoots Ryn and leaves him for dead. Ryn somehow manages to survive the gunshot wound (the first of many inexplicable feats of survival) and seeks revenge against the gang.
The movie has a nice concept, but a rather dull storyline. Apparently this film was intended to be a combination of an old “spaghetti western” and a George Romero film. Unfortunately, the movie lacks the charm of a Clint Eastwood classic, and the intensity of a Romero zombie film.
There was very little plot development, and none of the characters were particularly likeable. Clint Glenn does a fairly good Eastwood impersonation, but he lacks the style and charisma to make the “Ryn Baskin” character worth watching.
Perhaps the most redeeming characteristic of the film was its creative concept. But I found the musical score by Brian Beardsley and Pieter A. Schlosser to be quite effective as well. Aside from that, nothing else was particularly memorable from the film.
Some people may enjoy this movie for its originality and obvious references to classic Eastwood and Romero films. Other people will be turned off by its lethargic storyline, mediocre acting, and low production value.
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