Army of the Dead Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of mercenaries go into zombie-filled Vegas to steal money, but it turns out the real treasure was the zombie fetus they found along the way.

🍿 Army of the Dead: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Outbreak and the Heist Proposition

A military convoy transporting a zombie from Area 51 crashes outside Las Vegas, leading to a widespread outbreak. The city is quickly overrun and quarantined. Six years later, former mercenary Scott Ward is approached by casino owner Bly Tanaka with a proposition: retrieve $200 million from a casino vault before the government nukes the city. Tanaka offers Ward $50 million for the job, a sum he can’t refuse. Ward assembles a team of specialists, including his former teammates, a helicopter pilot, and a skilled safe-cracker. They also enlist the help of Lilly, a smuggler familiar with the zombie-infested city.

Entering Las Vegas and Facing the Alphas

As the team enters Las Vegas, they encounter not only hordes of regular zombies but also intelligent, organized zombies known as Alphas, led by Zeus and the Queen. Lilly explains that the Alphas demand a sacrifice for safe passage, resulting in the capture and infection of one of their own. The team navigates through a building teeming with hibernating zombies, using glow sticks to avoid waking them. Tensions rise as a team member accuses their guide, Martin, of having ulterior motives, leading to a deadly encounter and the loss of another member.

The Vault and the Betrayal

Upon reaching Bly’s casino, the team works to restore power and prepare for the heist. Meanwhile, it’s revealed that Geeta, a woman Kate wanted to rescue, is alive but held captive by Zeus. As Dieter cracks the vault, the team discovers that Tanaka had sent previous teams, raising suspicions about the true nature of their mission. Martin, acting on Tanaka’s orders, betrays the team, revealing that Tanaka is primarily interested in acquiring a zombie head to create his own zombie army. The team becomes fragmented as they face betrayal and deadly encounters with the Alphas.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Scott Ward (Dave Bautista): The former mercenary leading the heist into zombie-infested Las Vegas to secure millions before a nuclear strike.
• Kate Ward (Ella Purnell): Scott’s estranged daughter who joins the mission to rescue a friend trapped inside the quarantine zone.
• Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick): A philosophical and skilled zombie fighter who is a key member of Ward’s heist team.
• Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer): The quirky German safecracker recruited for his expertise in opening the casino vault.
• Lilly (The Coyote) (Nora Arnezeder): The resourceful smuggler who guides the team through the zombie-filled city of Las Vegas.
• Martin (Garret Dillahunt): The duplicitous representative of Bly Tanaka who has his own hidden agenda within the heist.
• Zeus (Richard Cetrone): The intelligent Alpha zombie and leader of the undead horde in Las Vegas.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Scott Ward: “We’re going in there for the money, and that’s it. No heroics.” – Scott emphasizes the purely mercenary nature of the mission to his team, setting the tone for the heist aspect.
• Dieter: “A vault is a lot like a woman. You have to listen to it. Be gentle. Seduce it.” – Dieter describes his unique approach to safe-cracking, highlighting his eccentric personality.
• Marianne Peters: “Somewhere between leaving your ass and saving my own, I developed a conscience. It’s exhausting.” – Peters says it to Martin expressing the change she has undergone during the mission.
• Martin: “Details change. The big picture, though? The big picture never changes.” – Martin revealing his true intentions, that the money was never the goal, but the Alpha zombie sample was.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $90,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Army of the Dead Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a ridiculous zombie flick, and that’s exactly what I got! The opening scene was awesome, and I loved the zombie tiger. Sure, some parts didn’t make a ton of sense, and Kate’s character was a little annoying, but overall I had a blast watching it. The effects were great, and it’s definitely a movie I’ll re-watch when I need some mindless entertainment. The safe cracking scenes with Dieter were hilarious. I felt for Bautista’s character when he had to choose between his daughter and the mission.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of zombie movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy heist films”
  • “Zack Snyder fans”
  • “People looking for action-packed entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Zombie themes”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Zack Snyder’s ‘Army of the Dead’ delivers visually stunning action sequences and inventive zombie lore. However, the film suffers from a bloated runtime and a somewhat convoluted plot that detracts from its overall impact. While the performances are solid, the emotional core of the film feels somewhat underdeveloped. Still, it offers enough zombie carnage and heist thrills to entertain.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “‘Army of the Dead’ is a zombie heist movie with plenty of gore and action, elevated by Snyder’s trademark visual style. Though the characters and plot can be thin, the movie is consistently entertaining, with some inventive zombie lore and an over-the-top finale. If you’re looking for a fun, mindless zombie flick, this is it.

Audience Reactions

The zombie tiger was the best part of the movie!: Viewers praised the creative zombie designs and action sequences, even if they found the plot convoluted.

Kate’s character made the whole movie worse.: Many viewers found the daughter storyline forced and the character unlikable.

Overall Consensus: Army of the Dead is a fun, over-the-top zombie heist movie that’s visually impressive but suffers from a weak plot and underdeveloped characters. It’s a good pick if you’re looking for mindless zombie action.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tig Notaro was digitally inserted into the film after Chris D’Elia, who was originally cast as Marianne Peters, was removed following allegations of sexual misconduct. Notaro filmed her scenes solo and was digitally composited into the existing footage.”
• “Zack Snyder served as his own cinematographer on the film, giving it a distinct visual style.”
• “The film blends elements of the zombie and heist genres, creating a unique tone. Snyder drew inspiration from films like ‘Escape from New York’ and ‘Aliens’ when crafting the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Army of the Dead?

Army of the Dead is currently available to stream on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available for purchase on platforms such as Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Army of the Dead, you might like these similar films:

• Dawn of the Dead (2004): Directed by Zack Snyder, this is a direct comparison as another one of his zombie films, showcasing his style and vision within the genre.
• Escape From New York (1981): Features a mercenary tasked with entering a dangerous, enclosed environment (Manhattan Island, a maximum security prison) to retrieve something of high value.
• Aliens (1986): A group of hardened soldiers enters a hostile environment filled with dangerous creatures, blending action and horror.
• Train to Busan (2016): A group of people trying to survive a sudden zombie outbreak, offering intense zombie action and emotional moments.

🛒 Army of the Dead Related Products

• Army of the Dead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the adrenaline-pumping moments with the official soundtrack. Includes the Elvis track!
• Army of the Dead: The Board Game: Experience the zombie-infested Las Vegas in this cooperative board game. Team up to complete the heist!
• Army of the Dead T-Shirt: Officially licensed T-shirt featuring the movie logo or key characters. Several colors and styles available.
• Army of the Dead (Blu-ray + Digital): Experience Army of the Dead in stunning high definition with exclusive bonus features.

🎧 Soundtrack

Army of the Dead features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Suspicious Minds” – performed by Elvis Presley
• “Viva Las Vegas” – performed by Elvis Presley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Army Of The Dead – Dead In The Water

If you’re curious about the buzz surrounding ‘Army of the Dead,’ this review breaks down its shortcomings with wit and humor. Get ready for an entertaining take on what went wrong.

ARMY OF THE DEAD Ending Explained | Time Loop, Robot Zombies, Alien Origins & Hidden Twist!

Dive into the enigmatic world of ‘Army of the Dead’ and uncover its secrets! This video breaks down the mind-bending ending, leaving no stone unturned. Get ready to unravel the mysteries and deepen your understanding of the film.

THE ALPHA VIRUS – Army of the Dead Zombies Explained

Curious about the Alpha Virus and the unique zombies in ‘Army of the Dead?’ This video delves into the lore, breaking it down into a clear and engaging way. Get ready to enhance your movie knowledge!

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