The old saying goes that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s the case then Devil’s Playground Mark McQueen was evidently a huge fan of 28 Days Later, because his film plays like a light version of that zombie spectacle. Still, while Devil’s Playground might not earn many points for originality, it makes up for by fine performances and a tight script.
Besides 28 Days Later, McQueen borrows liberally from other noted zombie films like Resident Evil and Dawn of the Dead. A pharmaceutical giant called New-Gen has developed a performance-enhancing drug that increases strength and endurance. Thney recruit 30,000 paid volunteers to test the drug. Now I don’t pretend to be familiar with drug-testing sample sizes but 30,000 seems a bit much and is one of the few contrived elements to the plot. Weeks after the injections the test subjects all become seriously ill from the side effects. The drug soon takes over their bodies and minds, their veins turn dark and bulge underneath their skin, turning them into ravenous, blood-crazed maniacs. New-Gen has been able to account for all but one of the test subjects—Angela Mills(Buring). As the zombies begin to run rampant through London’s streets, killing anyone they encounter, Cole (Fairbrass), the tough head of New-Gen security, has to try and located Angela who is the only subject not to experience any symptoms. Her blood may be the cure they need to stop the zombie plague.
This really is 28 Days Later but on a smaller, less ambitious scale. Tracking down Angela, Cole leads a group of survivors that also includes Angela’s ex-cop boyfriend Joe (Danny Dyer), friend Kate (Lisa McCallister) and two passersby who are caught up in the chaos. One of those is Lavinia played by the always wonderful Jaime Murray, most recently seen in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as Gaia. Murray plays her usual bitchy, conniving role with zeal. The group has to run a gauntlet of zombies to try and reach a helicopter to transport them to safety but their plight is made difficult with as much fighting amongst themselves as with the plague victims.
Devil’s Playground is aided by the depth of the performances by its cast, especially Fairbass. His character makes finding Angela his personal crusade. Having done so much dirty work in the past for New-Gen, getting Angela to safety no matter what the cost is his means of personal redemption. The redemption card also plays out with Joe, a cop accused in the shooting death of a teenager. He wants to prove his innocence, especially in the eyes of Angela whom he still deeply cares for.
McQueen had less than $3million dollars to work with in terms of budget and manages to squeeze every dime out of it. The zombies are not prevalent but are used effectively enough to always present a constant threat to the group of survivors. There’s a lot of blood but these particular zombies didn’t require a lot of costly makeup effects. He makes the film as much about the characters as the threat they face.
Devil’s Playground is a little film and it doesn’t try to be anything more. It’s a welcome addition to the zombie genre that is filled far too many poorly produced efforts that had far more to work with than this film.
DVD Extras
Devil’s Playground: Behind the Scenes (14:30) – Director Mark McQueen leads this behind the scenes look at the film with interviews with cast members, looks at make-up, stunts, and his admitted admiration for 28 Days Later.
Deleted Scenes (4:18) – three deleted scenes. Minor stuff that adds little to the final cut.
I have to admit, I'm getting sick and tired of zombie flicks, though. Can't we get more psychological horror like Jacob's ladder? In fact, can't we get Jacob's ladder uncut? There were some pretty nice scene in there that were deleted! >:(
Inferno...stay tuned to Mania...I have a new column debuting soon that will be devoted strictly to reviews of all things horror including a lot of the lesser known, direct-to-video releases as well as books/comics etc..
Inferno, I kind of get it, but I'm NOT sick to death (pun intended) of Zombie flix, keep em coming I say. They are my favorite sub-genre and want more.... mooooorrrrrreeee brains, uh I mean zombies!!!
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Thanks for the review, Tim.
I have to admit, I'm getting sick and tired of zombie flicks, though. Can't we get more psychological horror like Jacob's ladder? In fact, can't we get Jacob's ladder uncut? There were some pretty nice scene in there that were deleted! >:(