Shay Hatten – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Zach Cregger

Written By: Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten

Cinematography: Darius Wolski

Editor: Joe Murphy

Cast: Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis, Zach Cherry, Will Merrick, Sara Paxton, Zoe Bella, Andrea Miltnerova

A hapless courier is tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital. He soon finds himself caught in the middle of an outbreak and must fight through hordes of mutated creatures to survive.

Let me start off by saying I never really played the video game of this so I don’t know the actual storyline or history. All I know is the previous films. Which were entertaining, but definitely products of their time. None of them were truly masterpieces or what one might qualify is good but they were passable.

This film is another beast as this film ties into the resident evil lore of the video game, but this could’ve totally been an original film and it would’ve worked just as well. It just now has a bit more of a built-in audience as it is connected to the game. Luckily any audience members can follow as it goes along

Now let’s tackle the elephant in the room. Surprised at how much humor there is in the film throughout. There is a shocking a certain amount of laughs, but it is a horror film through and through with comedic elements thrown In. Rather then the other way around. It feels like the comedy is to acknowledge the ridiculous nature of what is happening at times. As well as way to have a release of tension every once in while. As there is still graphic violence and plenty of jump scares.

The protagonist isn’t the typical action hero nor the usual horror hero so him making bad decisions makes more sense and makes them feel more identifiable for the audience, as well as keeps the plot moving, and the action popping. The credit has to be given to Austin Abrams, as this is pretty much almost a one man show performance at least for most of the film it stays that was, very physical. Which will remind many of Bruce Campbell in THE EVIL DEAD films. As well as that type of mood. Definitely a star-making turn for him.

When other character characters appear in the film, it always feels a bit strange as we’re so used to only deal dealing with our main character. It’s nice to see Paul Walter Hauser in this film in a pivotal role that comes across more as comedic relief as well as Kali Reis as a kick ass security expert.

The film is scary yet feels fun as we get deeper in the character faces more challenges as well as discovery, which does eventually feel like the film is leveling up as it goes along.

One of the smarter aspects of the film is how they naturally create POV shots like from a video game that are thrown in time to time and made to look more makeshift as a survival method In dark places.

The fact that there’s very little dialogue keeps the film more tense.

Zach Cregger even though he doesn’t have to shows what he can do with ip that he didn’t originate and still make a film that is all his own. It’s sort of reminds one of what Frank Darabont was trying to do when he was still running the television show. THE WALKING DEAD. In wanting to obviously have the stories in the plot, but be able to take a moment for maybe a side story or give a chance for a side character to shine.

Though you have to say that for Zach Crager, this is 400 out of the successes for his films. Though he did co-direct and star in the comedy MISS MARCH. I will say that I enjoyed this more than I did his film WEAPONS.

The unexpected third act that tells the tale of what would normally be a side character and allows for them to have depth plus allow allowing us to see what role they played in the overall story.

Have to give it credit for where it goes. Especially when there are some Ty of places you don’t think it will venture to and it does and practically bathes in it.

It’s easy to agree that this is the best out of all of the franchise obviously.

Grade: A

Directed By: Matthias Schweighofer
Written By: Shay Hatten
Story By: Zack Snyder & Shay Hatten
Based On Characters created by: Zack Snyder
Cinematography: Bernhard Jasper
Editor: Alexander Berner

Cast: Matthias Schweighofer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan, Jonathan Cohen, Noemie Nakai, Christian Steyer

A prequel, set before the events of Army of the Dead, focuses on German safecracker Ludwig Dieter leading a group of aspiring thieves on a top-secret heist during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse.

A prequel that could have easily worked without being tied to ARMY OF THE DEAD the original movie or even including zombies in the background.

If anything, the ties of being in this franchise leave us knowing the main character’s fate. So we all know the ending, but this gives us an ending on a happier note. The film offers us some history of him. As well as letting us see more of a fan-favorite character. That also allows for world-building purposes in the franchise and the zombies give a kind of ticking time clock and a chance to see how the world deals with what seems like the American zombie outbreak.

This film comes off as more highbrow and sophisticated. Definitely less violent and feels more creative and fun.

This film is more of a caper comedy and feels like an adventure with Less objectionable material. That feels more energetic and fun.

It definitely has a lot more fluff than anything of substance. Though it is overlong for no particular reason. you generally don’t Feel it

The film has minor stakes so you never can quite take it seriously. Nor does it ever become melodramatic. As the focus here is more sleight of hand and less testosterone-fueled action.

The film offers an interesting look at the typical action hero. Here the protagonist is more nerdish, awkward, and seen as feminine. Whereas though he might not be physically strong he at least is brave. Whereas the more common action hero proves to be emotionally weak and easily jealous which might lead to his downfall.

Nathalie Emmanuel prices to be the perfect femme fatale and general badass. Where you wish she was more of the lead here. Or at least wish there was more to her character than her outfits and vague history of her character.

The caper sequences are sharp and exciting with the requisite tension.

The film feels like it would be quite at home in an earlier decade. As it has the exuberance down, but never quite feels authentic or that it has any roots. It feels like an extension made for money and the life of the franchise rather than Actually being needed. It easily could have existed outside of the ARMY OF THE DEAD universe

In The end One only wishes the film packed a tighter punch. As it more feels like practice jabs or at least felt more meaningful. Thought of looking for something more fluffy and entertaining this is the film for you.

Grade: C+

Tag: Shay Hatten

RESIDENT EVIL (2026)

ARMY OF THIEVES (2021)