Movie Review: Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2016)

Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

I didn’t get to see Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse in its limited theater run, so when I saw it on the Netflix DVD new release page, I added it to my queue.

The horror-comedy movie centers on three teen Scouts gearing up for their last-ever camp-out. The trio of friends suddenly find themselves in the middle of a zombie outbreak, and they attempt to save the town with their scout skills.

The spoiler-free review is that while Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse may be slightly marred by the vulgar humor present throughout the movie (think Anchorman 2 mixed with zombie nudity), the movie is still worth checking out if you like a little comedy with your zombies.

Ok spoilers come after this mark, so don’t scroll farther if you don’t want to see them…

Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

From the literal first notes of this movie, I was hooked on this horror-comedy zombie movie, as it shows how the zombie outbreak starts. Two solid and gory kills before the opening credits. Nice.

But then the movie switches to Superbad mode as we’re introduced to the three older teen scouts. Augie Foster (Joey Morgan) loves the Scouts and all he’s learned from it. His two friends since childhood, Ben Goudy (Tye Sheridan) and Carter Grant (Logan Miller), are not so enthusiastic about the Scouting life. In fact, they only joined to make Augie happy, and now are faced with the unpleasant task of telling him they are quitting.

When they’re not talking crudely about getting laid, that is.

But then the zombies come to town, and throw their plans for a loop. They pair up with Denise Russo (Sarah Dumont), the tall blonde who works at the town’s strip club (but not as a dancer), and doesn’t take crap from anybody, especially zombies.

The mission: Save the town, especially the secret senior party happening that night, since Carter’s older sister is there.

Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

What I liked:

There was a lot of good zombie mayhem, resulting in many kills. The humans get in their share of zombie kills, too, don’t worry. The Scouts put their training to use in fighting the horde, in unusual ways.

I also enjoyed the creative use of music to set the tone of certain scenes – you may never think of Britney Spears the same way again.

And bonus points for casting David Koechner as Scout Leader Rogers, and giving him hilarious scenes like a battle with a zombie deer. He was seriously underused in the movie.

What I didn’t like:

What bogs the film down is the majority of the humor was very vulgar. Lots of sexual innuendo and crass jokes stopped me from finding the film completely funny. Several times I actually cringed at the dialog.

I was also uncomfortable during a scene with a topless female zombie, which ends when one of the Scouts cops a feel of her breast. It just felt gratuitous. But then again, they also showed zombie testicles, zombie oral sex, and zombie butt chewing, so I guess they were just throwing everything in the mix. It definitely earns its R-rating.

Finally, the movie seemed to pick rules from different zombie lore, then use them or not as it suited the plot. I’m ok with a small lack of scientific logic, but to haphazardly lay down rules then break them is annoying. Especially coming from director Christopher Landon, whose filmography also includes four Paranormal Activity movies.

Bottom Line:

This isn’t the best teens vs zombie movie I’ve seen, but overall, Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse hits both the horror and comedy marks more than it misses. I wouldn’t advise buying the DVD, but it’s worth the cost of a rental.

Disclaimer: I rented this with my Netflix DVD account. I was not asked to write a review.

Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

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Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars
Director: Christopher Landon
Cast: Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan, Sarah Dumont, David Koechner
Website: facebook.com/ScoutsVsZombiesMovie

Purchase at Amazon

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The official trailer

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I'm Michelle Snow, the writer and creator of Zengrrl. I write about travel, entertainment, women's issues, health, body positivity, and more, both for this blog and freelance. I have also authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. If you aren't already following me, the links are below, as well as on the top right of this page. Thanks!