Calgary International Film Festival 2012 - Dead Before Dawn (CalgaryMovies.com Sponsored Film)

Posted on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 10:18 AM

Review Type: Festival
Movie: Calgary International Film Festival

Dead Before Dawn

By Troy Steinke

This year, Calgarymovies.com chose to sponsor a film that marked a milestone in Canadian cinema, endorsing the first 100% Canadian live-action 3D feature. Oh yes children, the 3D revolution is upon us. Why watch lame 2D with its boring flatness and lack of spacial razzle-dazzle? I live in 3 dimensions, and possibly 4 or 5 depending on the level of Pleiadean enlightenment that I've achieved – so obviously I want to see films that speak to my natural state of being.

It was with great anticipation that I sat down the the guffaw-laced 3D opus, 'Dead Before Dawn'. Never mind the star-studded cast that included fellow time traveller Christopher Lloyd of 'Back to the Future' fame, as well as a host of other Canadian talent. In what felt like a bizarre 3D marriage of 'Degrassi Junior High' and YTV's 'Are You Afraid of the Dark', the audience was treated to a 2 hour groanfest of Zemon (that's Zombie x Demon) madness. Though the script didn't appeal to my inner Aaron Sorkin or my outer Mike Judge for that matter, it managed to eek out a pass for a film that was more about having fun than providing intrigue. Funnily enough, the film's producer cited the strength of the screenplay in getting the film funded and winning over some of the more premium talent. Though I felt like the film would be best suited for 8 - 15 year olds, the concept was definitely original and the quality of the 3D effect was pleasing. For a film that was made on a budget just north of $1 Million, the filmmakers definitely succeeded in bringing a risky venture to the screen. It was no George Romero, gut-spilling affair but rather a humorous homage to the genre that will eventually portray the undead from every conceivable angle. Although Dead Before Dawn might not keep you up all night trembling in terror, it shouldn't bore you stiff either.