In a sub-genres of horror it would be an understatement to say that the zombie genre has been overdone to death, just like the found footage films out there. everyone and their pet hamster have tried to make a zombie film and it will never stop coming (sigh). So it is always rare to find a zombie film which takes a different spin on the classic/modern classic tale. MAGGIE is a very well thought out film. It is moving, deep and i didn't hate the acting, which are all good starts....but the end, as usual ruined it a little for me. The ending even ruined it for my wife, who i have mentioned many a times is not a horror fan but was actually enjoying this.
Let's start with the plot which is simply one man's fight to protect his daughter. We have seen this before right? yeah but this time this man, Wade Vogel (played by the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger) is trying to protect his daughter Maggie (Abigail Breslin - THE CALL, TV'S SCREAM QUEENS) from her slow transformation into a blood thirsty zombie.
This is a slow burner of a film, something we don't see much from Arnie, and it kinda works but doesn't at the same time. I love Schwarzenegger in this don't get me wrong, it is refreshing to see him take on a role so different than his previous films, but I have this feeling that this role would have been the same even if you placed a different actor in his role. On saying that though the connection between Wade and Maggie is truly touching and you got the slight exclusive relationship between father and daughter against the step mother role played by Joley Richardson.
I like the style of zombie film, its raw and emotional and isn't all about the eating of guts, flesh and brains, and this is the way more zombie films should go in my opinion. However we still have not talked about the ending of this film, the reason I didn't give MAGGIE and 4 star review. I felt it was a slight cop out ending have Maggie kill herself by jumping off the roof. This wouldn't kill a zombie, this doesn't stop her from coming back so why do it? it would of been more emotional, more rounded if you had Wade shoot her. I mean that was her wish right? earlier in the film she begs him to be the one to shoot her when the time was right so why jump off the roof? We both sat there and said the same thing..."is that it? well I feel a little cheated"
To wrap up, MAGGIE was a deep and touching take on the zombie genre, with a disappointing ending which I am sure people will disagree with me about (come at me haters!). it is well worth a buy though.