This spoiler-free review was made possible by an advance copy of Zombies 3 provided by Disney+. Zombies 3 exclusively on Disney+ on Friday, July 15th
Seabrook has had its issues during the span of the Zombies franchise. First came the Zombies themselves, then the Werewolves in the sequel Zombies 2, but Zombies 3 has many issues, and not just the Aliens at the centre of the film’s plot, there are a lot of issues within this film.
Music, Chemistry, and New Faces Keep Things Lively
I think I will start this review with some praise for Zombies 3, because some aspects of this film deserve some acknowledgement despite the overall quality of this film. Firstly, the highlight of the Zombies film is the music, and Zombies 3 includes songs that are just as memorable as the ones from the first two films. The first musical number, “Alien Invasion” seems to be the biggest production the films have done and it looks really good – and helped me really enjoy the film’s first act (a little more on the latter two shortly…).
Additionally, the chemistry between Zed and Addison actors Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly is top-notch. I think the two are great on-screen together, and have been now for three consecutive films. It also isn’t the first time the two have acted together with American Housewife being another of their joint credits.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series‘ Matt Cornett joins the ensemble cast as one of the galactic visitors, A-lan and is a really good addition. Cornett brings his charm from his role of EJ and instantly fits into the Zombies world, bringing the fun elements of EJ into his role of A-lan. Zombies 3 also marks the first Disney+ Original Movie to feature a non-binary character, A-Spen (played by Terry Hu), another really solid addition to the franchise’s ensemble. The aliens bring a lot of charm and mystery to the film’s universe, and definitely was not what I expected going into the film.
A Predictable Plot That Falls Flat
My biggest issue with the film is its plot which is incredibly predictable and feels extremely slow for the last hour of the film. It starts off really well but then decides to tell a story which could have been told in half the time it actually is. The film’s plot is that measly it feels it could have been a 60-minute special and ended there… eight Musical Numbers couldn’t save this film, unfortunately. I really think the film could have dealt with its story in a completely different way for sure, at least the writers chose Aliens instead of Vampires, though?
There are some improvements in the CG department, especially when compared to Zombies 2, which has some questionable CG. I will say, however, that Zombies 3 has a weird affection for green screen, and sometimes ends up looking very off, and is just used in the weirdest sorts of places, for no specific reason. For instance, they green-screen Meg Donnelly’s Addison as she talks to the camera from the top of a cheer pyramid, despite being something that is very possible to do without the assistance of a green screen.
Something I could have never predicted was RuPaul starring as Mothership, and the role is quite something, to say the least. Smaller than I expected, I will say, but RuPaul acts as himself in this role – it is funny at times, but would have loved to hear a lot more of his sass.
Fun for Families, But Fans Deserved More
In reality, I think younger audiences will absolutely love this film, like, Disney would not be making a third film (and moving it to Disney+) if there wasn’t a demand for the first film, and the success of the first two films speaks volumes. I think the movie was definitely a smart one, and families will enjoy watching this musical over the weekend. This isn’t the first time Disney has moved a Disney Channel away from its original home for the third and final instalment of a film franchise, High School Musical: Senior Year being a key example of this..
The film’s ending is one I sort of expected for the franchise (especially as the events of the films unfolded), with an additional ending that I think die-hard fans will love too.
‘Zombies 3’ – Final Thoughts
Zombies 3 features some really fun dance numbers, and deeper messages of accepting outsiders throughout the film but aren’t enough to save it from a weak, boring, predictable plot and script. By far the worst of the franchise, and it’s a shame for the films to end on such a bad note.
Zombies 3 arrives exclusively on Disney+ on Friday, July 15th. Check out the trailer below.
It’s Zed and Addison’s final year at Seabrook and things are better than ever. The town has finally accepted monsters as a part of Seabrook and has become a safe haven for monsters and humans alike. Zed is on the cusp of receiving a football scholarship and becoming the first Zombie to ever attend college (and he’s excited to join Addison who has already been admitted). Addison is excited to mark the opening of the town’s brand new “cheer pavilion” by inviting cheer teams from all over the world to compete in an “international cheer-off.”
However, the town is shocked by the arrival of a new group of intergalactic outsiders – Aliens, who show up to compete in the cheer-off. Though they begrudgingly allow the Aliens to stay for the competition – the monsters and humans of Seabrook grow suspicious when they discover that the Aliens may be looking for more than a friendly competition. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
The Review
Zombies 3
Zombies 3 features some really fun dance numbers, and deeper messages of accepting outsiders throughout the film but aren't enough to save it from a weak, boring, predictable plot and script. By far the worst of the franchise, and it's a shame for the films to end on such a bad note.
