Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Zombie Island Massacre Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 31, 2020

I’m sure somewhere there’s a story about the making of 1984’s “Zombie Island Massacre.” It’s doubtful this was the picture’s original title, with Troma Films getting their grubby hands on the movie for distribution, putting their specialized spin on marketing efforts that emphasized undead happenings that aren’t actually in the feature. Of course, this is nothing new for Troma, as the company always makes a mad dash to the easiest sellable elements with hopes to turn acquisition pennies into box office nickels. However, with “Zombie Island Massacre,” there’s a little more on the menu than a genre stomp, finding the screenplay offering a hazy game of misdirection to best secure some level of surprise as a horror endeavor gradually becomes an episode of “Miami Vice.” It’s strange work that doesn’t do well with expectations, but more relaxed minds willing to accept a move away from straight- up frights might finds something different here. Not outstanding, just different.

It’s another tourist season for Jones, who eager to bring guests to the Caribbean island of Saint Marie, offering natural wonder and tropical relaxation to the Americans visiting the area. For his latest collection of guests, Jones provides a chance for the gang to witness a voodoo ritual, with the high priest using animal sacrifice to bring the dead back to life. Supplying an effective visual, the evening proves to be disturbing for the group, who make a quick retreat to Jones’s tour bus for a ride back to the hotel. Trouble comes when the bus doesn’t start, leaving the tourists stranded in the middle of nowhere, slowly believing that the zombies are coming after them. Targeted for death, the Americans try to make their way to a home in the distance, searching for safety, but evil remains on the island, and it’s coming after the panicking bunch, with Paul (David Broadnax) rising to become the leader of the survivors during a hellish night in the jungle.

Director John N. Carter has his priorities straight with “Zombie Island Massacre.” The feature opens with voodoo imagery, setting up the evil to come, and plenty of nudity is supplied as well, with Sandy (Rita Jenrette) often targeted by seduction by her hornball boyfriend, who doesn’t enjoy keeping his hands to himself. There’s a tropical setting and iffy reggae on the soundtrack, arranging a trip to paradise with a collection of disparate personalities looking for adventure. The gang finds it with Jones, who leads the tourists to Saint Marie Island, where they’re presented with a voodoo ritual that begins with dancing, drums, and natives in costumes, and ends with the slicing of a goat’s throat, with its blood covering a pair of dead bodies that return to life. There’s more to the magic act than meets the eye, but for the Americans, it’s enough, inspiring them to return to civilization.

As with most genre pictures, something goes wrong. In “Zombie Island Massacre,” the bus has been tampered with, making it impossible to return to the comfort of a hotel. Panic takes a while to brew in the story, as a few of the tourists put their faith into Jones to get them out of their mess. Jones promptly disappears, transforming the tale into a survival effort, with the Americans soon aware that something is stalking them, using the dense jungle to hide their identity. A few suspect the undead, while Paul takes command of the situation, arming himself with a machete and a plan to make it to a mansion in the distance, with hopes of making a telephone call to solve all problems. Bickering commences once travel begins, and murder becomes a prime motivator to get the tourists moving along, finding the mystery menace setting traps for their prey, sending a few into a pit of spikes, while a couple is attacked while crossing a rickety bridge. Blood doesn’t flow in “Zombie Island Massacre,” but violence is present (supported with a score by Harry Manfredini), giving horror fans something to enjoy while the writing inches away from scary stuff, becoming more argumentative as the trail leads to the house.

Carter tries to shake up the norm by focusing more on character, as Sandy is presented with a chance to consider her boyfriend experience when he slips away to save the day, flashing back to happier times when was just an oversexed man with a vacation dream. There’s the third act introduction of Whitney (George Peters), a neighbor who takes the time to share the island’s history with the tourists, interrupting mild “Night of the Living Dead” vibes to explain some of the aggression still circling the property. While never frightening, “Zombie Island Massacre” gets away from horror in the second half, becoming a different movie about a more real world problem. It’s an unexpected turn, but not necessarily a bad one. It’s just not set-up by Carter and the writing, who prefer to use a sense of surprise when the picture doesn’t really need it.

Zombie Island Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation contributes a clear look at the production effort found in "Zombie Island Massacre." Source has some scratches, speckling, and a few jumpy frames, but it remains stable, while grain is heavier but film-like. Detail is satisfactory, offering a chance to survey tropical locations and interior decoration when the action finds its way into the house. Makeup achievements are defined, and costuming is fibrous, dealing with ceremonial outfits to casual tourist wear. Colors are strong, providing deep red for bloodshed, and clothing has a full sense of period and cultural fashion. Greenery is appealing. Skintones are natural. Delineation remains intact, even when the picture enters some dark evening adventures.

Zombie Island Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix shows its age from time to time, and the track itself isn't always handled with care by the production, which crudely slams songs on top of dialogue exchanges. Performances are understood, encountering slight sibilance issues here and there, and dramatic intent is never fully lost. Scoring efforts support comfortably, with adequate instrumentation. Sound effects are noted, with snappy gunshots and jungle activity.

Zombie Island Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Sizzle Reel (13:51, HD) is a truncated version of "Zombie Island Massacre" created for sales purposes. Interestingly, it uses Harry Manfredini's score from "Friday the 13th" to conjure a proper horror film mood.

• T.V. Spots (:58, HD) provide two commercials for "Zombie Island Massacre."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:40, HD) is included.

Zombie Island Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Those coming to "Zombie Island Massacre" expecting the titular elements will probably be left disappointed by the viewing event, which doesn't become a full genre experience with the undead. There's the Troma side of things, with nudity (a Playboy model, the production gets all it can out of Jenrette) and small offerings of gore, and there's the Carter endeavor, which transforms the movie into a crime effort in a way, aiming to sustain suspense as it emerges from a different source of intimidation. It's not an entirely successful creative leap, but "Zombie Island Massacre" wins points for trying, on a unique quest to toy with genre expectations while Troma aims to sell the picture as a pure bottom shelf experience.