Editor's Note - I reviewed the Stink of Flesh a short while back, I guess it's been about a year now, give or take. The film was picked up by Tempe for distribution on DVD, and has now officially arrived. I've modified my previous review to reflect the new DVD. Enjoy!

Sick of zombie films yet? With the success of mediocre outings like 28 Days Later, Resident Evil and the Dawn of the Dead remake (review here); zombie films are back, for bettr or for worse. Unfortunately most, if not all of these films don't make the grade. But I have to admit that along with the bad, sometimes will come the good (or at least the possibility of the good). George Romero has finally unleashed Land of the Dead (review here). While it's no classic by any means, it's still fine entertainment. Then there's Shaun of the Dead (review here) which I also thoroughly enjoyed. So yes Virginia, there are quality zombie films out there, thank the horror gods. Which now brings us to The Stink of Flesh. Not really knowing what to expect, I went in scratching my head after reading the flicks tagline "How do you lead an alternative lifestyle when everyone's dead?" - interesting. You may remember Stink's writer/director, Scott Phillips as the man behind the short film Science Bastard (review here) which was our first introduction to his unique brand of indie filmmaking. Scott also contributed a few DVD reviews to our site about a year or two ago, but don't let any of this fool you. I went into Stink completely unattached, and as most of you already know, each film we review is given the exact same treatment (we can be brutally honest sometimes), friend or foe we tell it like it is. So on with The Stink...

The primary challenge that comes along with making a zombie flick is the fact that it's tough to put a new spin on the subgenre. The biggest strike against 28 Days Later was its lack of originality. Just about every scene had practically been swiped from a handful of (better) flicks that had come before it. Shaun of the Dead was fresh because of the films' fun characters and clever script. Almost like a 'fish out of water' zombie/comedy hybrid. And for me, it worked. Stink similarly tries to put a fresh spin on the subgenre, by presenting us with 'interesting' characters who not only have to deal with each others 'everyday' quirks but also the attack of a horde of flesh hungry zombies.

At the center of our story is a young man named Matool (and if you don't get this reference, you probably don't belong here, no offence) played by Kurly Tlapoyawa . Matool spends his days roaming the country side, laying his spikes deep into foreheads o' the undead. After shacking up briefly with a group of strangers, Matool is kidnapped and brought to another 'safe haven.' Matool is forcefully introduced to Nathan (Ross Kelly) and Dexy (DIVA), a couple who have a very special relationship. You see, Nathan likes to watch as Dexy shags other men. And Dexy, well Dexy just likes to shag other men. Matool gives in, and joins in their little trio, only to find out that there's even more to it than this. There's another young woman living in the house named Sassy (Kristin Hansen) and Sassy likes to join in on the fun as well...usually with a little innocent ass slapping. It's never really explained, but let's just say that Sassy ain't all there upstairs, but that's easily the least of Sassy's problems. Sassy also has a growth on her stomach, which is actually her 'sister' Dorothy (think along the lines of Basketcase). At one point Dexy excitedly proclaims, "Sometimes we call her Dottie!" - there's much love there. Freaked out at first (naturally, as if the zombies weren't enough), Matool finds himself plugging away at Dexy, while Nathan sits in the corner watching, and Sassy slaps his bare ass with a plastic switch. Oh, and don't forget about the zombies, they're still here as well, and a force to be reckoned with. Then come the army guys...there always has to be army guys, doesn't there?

It's at this point that the house seems a little over crowded. Of course Dexy doesn't mind, at one point exclaiming, "It's like Christmas!" - she'll be a very busy girl with all this fresh man meat. The male residents of the home spend half their time pounding spikes into the heads of zombies and the other half of their time pounding away at Dexy. One young man takes a quick (and seemingly unnatural) liking to Sassy and her ummm, sister - Dottie. Things eventually go from bad to worse, tensions flare in the house and the zombies continue to move in even closer, and in larger numbers. At this point, I haven't even told you about the nude zombie girl (cutie Stephanie Leighs) that Nathan keeps locked up in a shed (to use and abuse for his own personal amusement) or the unexpected (yet most welcomed) appearance of the zombie child.

If there's one thing that The Stink of Flesh is, it's busy; but busy in a good way mind you. I'm glad that the story is filled to the brim with (mostly) interesting characters, and the idea of Nathan and Dexy trying to retain their 'alternative' lifestyle while being overrun by zombies is just too clever for words. There's a great story behind all of the mayhem, and Phillips handles all that's been put on his plate (by himself, mind you) quite well. There's enough here to keep things fresh, even when they start to rot. Things do dip a bit once the army guys arrive, seeing how the relationships between Dexy, Nathan, Matool and Sassy worked very well on its own, and continues to work throughout the films' running time. These relationships are a very strong element in the film. While the army guys are more expendable than anything else, and don't seem to fit as well into the mix. Zombies need victims though. Still, as the story moves along, even with expendable characters in play, there's a lot happening that's more than worthwhile. For example, I'll jump back to the zombie girl that Nathan keeps locked up in the shed to toy with once again. There's a great sequence, in which Nathan is (brutally) taking advantage of the zombie girl, and the action shifts to B&W flashbacks of the girl, before she was transformed into the living dead. Simply stated, it's wonderfully handled.

Still, you gotta take the good with the bad, and while some of it doesn't work, a lot of it certainly does. Thankfully, Scott Phillips hasn't forgotten about the real reason to make a zombie flick either...gut munching. There is plenty of gruesome gore on display here - including spikes in heads, ripped flesh, and a decent (varied) amount of zombies. Performances range throughout, but I'd say are really quite solid overall, especially amongst all the major players. The film is tightly edited (which is important) and features some great fight/action scenes (unusual for such a low budget film) that never come across as cheap or cheesy. The score, once again, is appropriate and varied as well; including original songs as well as some nice 'music only' work.

Extras include two audio commentaries, the first with writer/director Scott Phillips flying solo (with a cold) while the second features Scott along with various cast and crew members. Also included is a 45-minute making of piece entitled Dead Sexy - Making of the Stink of Flesh, outtakes, World Premiere footage, early short films w/ commentary, stills, trailers and more.

It's amazing to see what can be done on such a low level budget when you actually have some talent, interested participants and plenty of heart behind-the-scenes. While the Stink of Flesh is by no means a perfect film, it definitely ranks up quite high in the world of indie filmmaking. I can only imagine what these folks could have done with more time, resources and a slightly larger budget (as it stands, the film cost a meager $3,000 to make). The Stink of Flesh is a fantastic entry in the zombie subgenre. Great characters, talented filmmaking, an inventive storyline, and enough exploitation elements to keep the gore hounds happy. Definitely recommended and in my humble opinion, a far better film than 28 Days Later. Highly Recommended.

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