Outpost: Rise of the Spetsnaz - It does the job (just)

The first ‘Outpost’ film was a classic (well... a classic in the B-movie horror genre).  However, the second part was totally unnecessary and not even worth trying to watch.  Here we have the third instalment of the franchise.  And it’s a prequel/origins movie.  But don’t worry if you haven’t seen parts 1 or 2.  It also works as a stand-alone affair.

It’s set in 1944 on the ‘Eastern Front’ where Russian commandos are raiding German bases.  While doing so, they only go and discover that those dastardly Nazis are trying to resurrect the dead and turn them into ‘super soldiers.’ Naturally, the Nazis don’t plan on letting this little secret get out and capture our Vodka-swigging heroes, leaving them to escape from the undead-ridden facility.

Okay, so the plot isn’t going to blow your mind, but then the film isn’t either.  It’s average.  There’s not much else to say, but, if you need reasons, I’ll mention that the you won’t care too much for the characters.  The Russian heroes are tough, grunting macho men with no real depth, therefore you can hardly really relate to them.  The Nazi commander of the base is a little too campy for the role.  It’s a gritty and serious film and he comes across like a cackling Bond villain.

Nothing much happens in the first twenty-five minutes, but, if you stick with it, at least you’re rewarded with some violence and zombie-killing fun.  Its strengths are that it’s suitably violent and well-shot so as to make the most of the bleak and gloomy setting.  And it’s not that long either, so, once the twenty-five minutes are over, it moves swiftly for the rest of the duration.

But, ultimately, it’s nothing new.  And that’s its major flaw.  You’ve probably seen plenty of zombie movies.  And many of them are better.  Therefore, do you really need to watch another one?  If you think the ‘Nazi element’ may make it different, just stick to Outpost (1) which is head and shoulders more fun than this.  Or, if you can put up with subtitles and a lighter tone, try Dead Snow for a really gory and light-hearted approach to killing dead Nazis.  Outpost 3 is just too little too late.  You probably won’t hate it, but you probably won’t remember it by this time next week.

6/10 May just keep you awake if Freddy Krueger was haunting your nights