It seems like The Battery has been out in the festival circuit since 2012, but it’s not until now it’s gotten proper distribution - so I consider it a 2014 production. A decision that will cause a lot of confusion in the future and when people are putting together their best-of-2014 movie list in the december. So that’s my gift to the world wide web, I hope you all are happy.
Go to the Internet Movie Database and take a look at the user comments for acclaimed genre movies with very little graphic gore and you’ll find the same snobby opinions in every one of them: Ohhh, it’s so nice with a horror movie that never lower itself by using splatter or special effects and yada yada yada. You know the deal, some idiot is trying to be a bit smarter and everyone else and earn some I’m So Important-points in filmsnob heaven (just like the fools a Fangoria does in every issue nowadays bye the way, but that’s a completely different story). I love special effects and gore, no shame in that. I mean, no one whines about when your favorite band do some solos - that’s what special effects are in movies, something a little bit extra to give the audience some extra fun.
The Battery on the other hand is a perfect movie without special effects. The lack of zombies, splatter, gore, whatever you call it, just makes it focus on what’s important in this story: the not so lovable bromance between two dudes (Jeremy Gardner himself and Adam Cronheim) who’s survived the zombie apocalypse (so far) and is traveling without a plan through New England and spend most of their time picking fights with each other. One day Mickey (Cronheim), who hates being out on the road, hears a girl on his radio, Annie, and falls in love with her - without having no idea who she is. Ben (Gardner) is not happy about this and warns him it could be a disaster talking to her..
Let me describe The Battery: two dudes in front of the camera arguing. That’s it, if you’re a lazy movie critic. The Battery is so much more, it’s an intimate drama set to the background of the zombie apocalypse, with some humour and a few (very few) actual zombies here and there. We spend 100 % of the time with Ben and Mickey and their relationship, the ups-and-downs of two baseball players trying to find a home. It’s very well-acted, even if it feels like the two actors are playing more extreme versions of themselves. It feels human and real, which for me is the most important thing. Here and there there’s also small clues to what has happen and where Annie belongs, but don’t expect any answers.
The zombies is just the MacGuffin of this this film, it could be basically anything out there - from a nasty winter to an alien invasion, as long as we follow Ben and Mickey. What makes The Battery even cooler - and it’s a brave, brave decision - is the final act. I won’t spoil it for you, but imagine the anti-version of a zombie siege. It takes a while to understand that well, this is it. This is how it will be and maybe end. And it’s such a great move. Some would say it’s gimmicky, but I think it just proves what a fine drama The Battery is until the end.
I can’t say it’s the best zombie movie in recent years because it’s not a zombie movie. The living dead are just extras in the drama, but as a drama (dramedy? buddy comedy?) it’s stellar, one of the best in long time. Shout will release it on DVD and Blu-ray during 2014, it’s a movie you need to own and protect and love and pet and everything else between. Even the dirty things. It’s a beautiful story about friendship and sweaty men who never have time to wash themselves.
"Let me describe The Battery: two dudes in front of the camera arguing. That’s it, if you’re a lazy movie critic. The Battery is so much more, it’s an intimate drama set to the background of the zombie apocalypse,"
There have been some films like that, were the human drama is in the forefront and the rest has been a primus motor, pushing the story forward, like Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012).
"I can’t say it’s the best zombie movie in recent years because it’s not a zombie movie. The living dead are just extras in the drama, but as a drama (dramedy? buddy comedy?) it’s stellar, one of the best in long time."
A comedydrama with a bittersweet touch to it?
Whatever....I think I know what you mean.
"and sweaty men who never have time to wash themselves."
hahahhahahhahha...I bet you loved that, good review and thanks Fred.
Posted by: Megatron | March 18, 2014 at 00:13