Zoopocalypse Night: A Unique Blend of Animation and Horror
So, there’s this film called *Zoopocalypse Night*, which is currently available on Peacock. It blends animated animal characters with a quasi-zombie horror theme. It’s inspired, I think, by a short story that Clive Barker never published. The film seems to have a modest budget, but it feels like it’s aiming to introduce something scary to younger audiences. I mean, it’s an interesting question—could this be the right way to introduce an 8-year-old to classics like *Night of the Living Dead* or *Hereditary*? It’s got a certain vibe, that’s for sure, but whether it’s a solid introduction remains up for debate.
Key Points: The setting takes place in Colepepper Zoo. By day, it’s a cheerful spot for kids, which, of course, can turn chaotic at closing time. But when night falls? It morphs into a ghostly nightmare. As we plunge into this world, we meet Gracie, who, well, she’s a mix of different breeds—like a fox or maybe a coyote? She’s actually a timberwolf. Initially, she seems like your typical animated character, part of a pack, grappling with what seems to be a lesson about, I don’t know, belonging? There’s a certain energy when she yawns and then unexpectedly gets a burst of life, running around.
Gracie’s a bit bored at the zoo, lamenting, “Nothing happens. It never does. We live in the zoo!” And then, a truck shows up with dangerous items, bringing chaos. Enter Dan, the mountain lion, who’s got his own issues relating to wildness, but he’s not really the enemy, more like a reflection of Gracie’s own struggles. The movie also introduces some rather creepy zombified creatures, hinting at some themes around evolution or survival that feel a bit muddled.
You can’t forget the ensemble of quirky animals that stick around, alongside Gracie and Dan, as they navigate the chaos of this zombie-infested zoo. There’s Xavier, a lemur who inevitably spoils the plot clichés that films usually deploy. Then there’s Ash, a rather comical ostrich, Frida, who’s all about being trendy, and Fred, the entertainingly large gorilla. It’s all a bit chaotic, but hey, why not?
What does it remind you of? Perhaps *28 Days Later*? Or maybe it leans towards *Madagascar* with a sprinkle of *Hitpig* but, honestly, this one is a lot less annoying.
The Performance Value: If the name “Put” doesn’t give it away, Dippie Pig adds a light-hearted flair to the film, and Nova seems to revel in delivering some goofy lines.
Memorable Conversations: There’s a line about how the characters comment on the design of their dangerous foes.
Sex and Skin: Not present.
Our Take: *Zoopocalypse Night* plays out like a children’s toy with the characters making quirky noises and comments that aim to engage adults. In theory, it’s trying to entertain both kids and adults, but, let’s be real, I’m not sure how effective that is. It does aim to teach kids about storytelling, but the execution feels lacking. I’ve observed storytelling in a variety of ways over time, and touching that fourth wall doesn’t always lead to laughs, you know? The humor can sometimes miss the mark. But I did chuckle at moments, like when animals struggle with basic tasks. It’s loud, a bit silly, and you can almost see the intentions behind it, even if they don’t hit all the targets. If you’re thinking about letting the kids watch it, perhaps consider waiting a few years.
Our Call: And honestly? Not enough monkeys in this one. It’s really just a stopgap for parents and guardians to keep kids entertained for an hour and a half. Maybe you should skip it.
