By Fred Topel | Image property of respective holders.
Fido
Fido is a movie I really wanted to see theatrically, so when it comes to DVD, it's like a first run movie delivered to my door. Only this one didn't make the quick trip to home vid because of poor box office. It was just such a small indie it hardly played anywhere. One week in LA, and you can't expect me to squeeze it in with my busy schedule.
DVD Review: Fido
The premise alone should have guaranteed a wider release, let alone the talent involved. It's about the domestication of zombies after the zombie epidemic was contained. Set in a '50s style suburbia, a kid names his zombie Fido (Billy Connolly) and learns about life, undeath and responsibility.
It is a satire of suburban life, of "boy and his dog" movies, of consumerism and more. It addresses every possible application of domestic zombies. EVERY possible one. Living with the undead raises genuine philosophical debates that have mom (Carrie Ann Moss) bickering with dad (Dylan Baker), leaving little Timmy to find his own way in the world.
It's got its share of zombie rampages to give the horror fans their kicks. It's almost a shame that it had to include that, because a nonviolent social portrait would have been even more biting, pun intended.
It's a beautiful film to look at. Shot in full cinemascope widescreen, the color palette is reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands. The use of silhouettes and long shots suggest real filmmaking, not just some gore fiends with a camera.
It does feel like Fido is missing something but I cannot tell what it is. It nails every satirical element, perhaps so accurately that it feels too real. It does not feel outrageous, even though it is about zombie pets. Satire ultimately has to feel outrageous to point out the social norms it is satirizing.
But for a little horror comedy, Fido nails it better than most studio projects short of South Park. It feels more like a real movie than most of the rushed scripts banged out by the factories, so if I missed a tiny little extra punch, I'm not holding that against Fido.
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