Fido

Fido **1/2

Directed by Andrew Currie
Written by Andrew Currie, Robert Chomiak, and Dennis Heaton

Starring:
Carrie Ann Moss as Helen Robinson
Billy Connolly as Fido
Dylan Baker as Bill Robinson
K'Sun Ray as Timmy Robinson
Henry Czerny as Mr. Bottoms
Tim Blake Nelson as Mr. Theopolis

91 Minutes(Rated R for zombie-related violence. )
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Once again, the zombie movie has been converted to a comedy in order to make some kind of statement about the society we live in. And "Fido" does it in a different way, beautifully directed and very well acted. It really is enjoyable during every minute of its running time. Alas, the central problem with the film is the script-the story, if you could even call it that, is practically not there at all, and the premise ends up being shaped into a sitcom, with the central characters just getting into a couple of little situations that end up being solved, all leading up to a final zombie showdown that is thankfully very brief, and not dragged out like the zombie segments in past films. Meshing zombie violence with 1950's family values seems perfect, and the social satire is spot on, even if the script never does pay off in the end.

"Fido" takes place in a 1950's that isn't plagued by any wars with only nations, but with zombies. The Zombie Wars have recently passed, leaving humans and zombies to live a life of tense peace. Towns have giant fences around them, and the zombies that get in are equipped with a necklace that makes them mind-numbing servants. This is a device perfected by a place called Zom Com, and they ensure that the dead stay that way. Their big trademark are funerals for the body and the head, as the only way to kill a zombie is to destroy its head or brain. The Robinson family are the only family on the block that do not have their own zombie-servant, but that changes when mother Helen gets one-who the little boy Timmy ends up naming Fido. Timmy had no friends in school, but Fido ends up befriending the boy quickly. Fido's only problem, of course, is that it has a hunger for human flesh, and this causes a problem when it eats the next door neighbor. Now zombies seem to be popping up everywhere, and the Head of Secruity at Zom Com, Mr. Bottoms, ends up tracing it directly to the Robinson zombie.

The acting is all spot on. Carrie Ann Moss is perfect as the overacting caring mother, who just just so happens to be good with a shotgun. A minor subplot involving her pregnant is disposable, even though I did guess it at the beginning although their are no hints. Dylan Baker, as always, delivers an off color and strange performance. I just can't see him as a father after "Happiness." But it is Billy Connolly who is amazing as Fido. Giving in a completely silent performance, except for a few grunts and groans, Connolly does his work almost as well as Chaplin or Lloyd, making a memorable character out of this compassionate and caring zombie. Connolly is funny when he is doing his stand up, but clad in complete zombie makeup it was a sure fire recipe for a great movie. There are no complaints regarding acting. The direction is almost flawless. Andrew Currie really does give a feel for the 1950's, making a "Leave It to Beaver," "Brady Bunch" type of environment-complete with the wacky, ladies man (or in this case zombies man) neighborhood, played by Tim Blake Nelson. Currie films with really bright colors, making the streets of this suburban area bright red and yellow and green, even when the town is under attack by zombies. And every single shot is beautiful to look at-and the big screen just highlights this.

But there is just not enough story, and the script seems to try to rely on this gimmick of zombies as pets. There are small little adventures, but none enough to arc over for a full ninety minutes. The script does have some interesting social comments-one involving racism. The running joke with Fido is that even though he is a blood sucking zombie, he is probably the only decent grown man in the town-there is either the distant father Bill, or the evil corporate giant Mr. Bottoms. All of that is there, and it is fine and makes a point, but the script just never delivers any wow moments, or any surprises for that matter. And this is why it pains me to not give "Fido" a recommendation rating, because I really did enjoy the film. Many of the 50's throwback jokes are priceless, including several black and white short educational films, and the line "Help! My Grandpa has fallen and he's getting up!" "Fido' is an interesting and very funny take on zombie films and just the role of zombies in general, but an actual story would be needed. This may inhabitant the look and setting or a 50's, 60's sitcom, but its a movie and it doesn't need the sitcom treatment.