Review of The Returned

The Returned (2013)
4/10
Wanted to Like it... Unrealistic even for a Zombie Film
9 July 2014
I really forced myself to like this film because people generally rate science fiction or horror films pretty hardcore. So when I picked this movie, I decided to grade it with a grain of salt. The beginning plot actually makes for an interesting movie. There have been two zombie outbreaks before the start of the film that forced a vaccine to be developed in order to save those temporarily if they had been bitten but not completely turned.

This at first made a good start to the film. However, the film made a very basic contrary argument in form of a rude fat slob who questioned about what difference this would make considering the fact that the vaccine only worked for 24 hours. The Zombie outbreaks were considered CATASTROPHIC, and yet essentially the main character ignores any sense to the realistic possibility of another outbreak by essentially making him look like some kind of jerk who wants to kill people. I mean... is it really terrible to think at a point where the world suffered two major zombie apocalypses, that the infected should be quarantined? I suppose its what makes the movie's conflict. However, there remains the total illogical stance about treating the infected like normal people. It seems a bit far-fetched considering she has a sexual relationship with someone who is infected.

Here in lies the problem of the film. Again, the world has almost collapsed from to world wide zombie outbreaks and yet the social structure is still much intact, and as viewers we are suppose to assume that protecting those infected and not yet turned as a rational aspect. They fail to see the many issues with having unmonitored infected people walking around normally around society that play, eat, and have normal relationships with those that are none infected... If you don't see any danger in this... then you'll probably hate this review. The film even shows how close it was when one didn't take his dosage for whatever reason and infected 5 people before being brought down. In normal society there are so many circumstances in which the infection could spread without knowledge and a pandemic arising right when a normal person realizes in their bedroom that they have been infected. Yet there are virtually no one turning. I'm glad that the people of the world are very responsible in taking their daily dose and being careful at their interactions with others.... not. The main character has sex with someone who is infected... so...

Another and more central problem is the people are actually not getting their daily dose because the vaccine has run out. In fact, the major characters in this film that need it, are only able to get it illegally. The rest of the people are ignored and I just don't see how this can be ignored by the viewer. This is a major plot hole! It doesn't work at all! Yet there are virtually no zombies in the film. The film shows one, that is assumed to have turned... and yet... the rest of the world it has not. The ending of the film is a complete bust. You'd have to see it with your own eyes, but its like a message where the main character should have trusted in humanity and the good will of what they are capable of doing. Because the world is saved out of thin air!!!

I believe there are naive concepts in the film that are supposed to be seen as instead, compassionate and rational. Yet, the real trouble is hidden away completely in this film. I mean, society still looks the same. They are still worried about money, instead of the tools, food, shelter, water, protection, that I'm sure they used during both the outbreaks. I almost really want to give this a lower rating. However, I will give credit where credit was due. Good beginning, bad prosecution of the film and horrible ending. I guess, I really hope things turn up the way they do if they ever arise like the ending of this film.
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