The Horde (La Horde)

After one of their own is viciously murdered, a group of cops go after the malevolent group of gangsters responsible. What began as a surprise attack on the group, whom are holed up inside a condemned apartment building, soon turns into an all out battle with a horde of blood-thirsty zombies. The cops must join forces with the very gangsters they intended on eliminating in order to survive, in this action-packed film of blood-thirsty carnage.

This film is in French, and while I am not crazy about watching films with subtitles I really enjoyed this one. I became so drawn-in to the film that I eventually forgot that I was actually having to read subtitles! When I first read a synopsis of the film, I thought it was going to be exactly like "Quarantine," and even though the two films take place inside an apartment building, they are extremely different. Quarantine had zombies already inside the building, while "The Horde" has zombies both inside and outside, so they are coming at the two groups from all angles. Plus, the tension between the two groups is so thick you could cut it with a knife, which really added to the suspense, as you were never quite sure when the two groups were going to stab one another in the backs.

Most of the zombies in this film aren't your typical "Slow-Paced Romero-Types," even though we are shown several on the outside of the apartment building. Most of the interior zombies are more fast-paced, but not quite to the degree of "28 Days Later." When bitten, they don't instantly turn in a matter of seconds or minutes. The infection takes time to 'infect' the host, in a similar 'Romero' style. The zombies in this film, don't seem to care whether the flesh they're eating is the flesh of the living or dead. In fact, they stock-pile dead corpses in a pantry, like the living store can-goods. I can't say that I've ever seen that sort of element in a zombie film.

Of course, what would a zombie film be without a few idiots who insist on making all of the wrong choices? And yes, we are given a few characters who do just this, but it only adds to the suspense of the film. I found myself becoming so angry at some of the characters, that I was actually glad when they met their demise. It's like "That's what you get for not listening to reason and for being so stupid!"

My favorite character was Rene,' an axe-wielding, gut shooting, war veteran, who constantly re-lives the war in his head. In his mind, the ongoing war with the zombies, is the same war he fought decades ago. He even labels the zombies as "Chinese" and when one has been bitten and turns, he labels that as "Turning Chinese." Needless to say, he's quite the nut ball, but still brilliant in his own way. Without him, the group would've had a tougher time against the zombies, as Rene really knows his way around an axe, gun, and grenade, and really gives some entertainment with his nutty antics.

The ending was predictable in ways and unpredictable in others, it just depends on how close your attention was throughout the film. It wasn't an ending that I particularly liked or disliked. All I would say is that "No grudges are forgiven nor forgotten."

RATING: 4 out of 5 stars!

1 comment:

  1. This one sounds like fun ... can't wait to see it. Great posting, btw!

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